Remembering Kavi Arasu Kannadasan

24th June 1927 - 17th October 1981

Its been 27 years today since Kavi Arasu Kannadasan left us to meet his creator. I cannot claim to know him very well but I am just like thousands if not millions out there who must've been touched by him in one way or another. Although he is also a known poet, for me his impact had been restricted to song lyrics for I have never been into poetry at all! That could partly be due to the fact that I don't write or read Tamil. Now, I see that more as handicape than an embarrassment. Its not too late yet to acquire the know how though I know . That is for another day.


What is important is today. And this post is a tribute to a man who in my personal opinion depicts the very basic and real face of an ordinary man although some do make him otherwise the opposite. What made him so special? There are notions that he is better than Barathi himself. But then it would be an unfair comparison as highlighted to me by Sara recently. Some how I agree with her. Now back to the question , whats so great about Kannadasan?


Kannadasan was an epitome of a man who lived his short lived life at the best of everything. He was 54 when he passed away at Chicago USA on the 17th October 1981. At such an age which could still be said young he had reached the height of his life in every aspect it had been said. His style of writing reached all level of masses. From the down trodden to even the elites. His simplicity and down right practicality in writing is what endeared him to the masses. Together with MSV he delivered what can be said a Golden Era of Tamil Music just as the latest(now might be defunct) successful partnership of AR Rahman and Vairamuthu. Some say he writes from his heart and not just for the commercial value. He represents his life and his surroundings in his songs. He might have his publicised shortcomings, but he remained true to his principles and worked his magic around it.

One do need to love the songs of that era to really understand the magic of Kannadasan, especially during the period of 50s to 70s and even early 80s. His first song lyric was Kalangathiru Maname in the movie Kanniyin Kadali in 1949. Even after his death in 1981, his lyrics was still used in Tamil songs. His last and one of the most famous lyric was for the song Kanne Kalaimane for the movie Moondram Pirai in 1983. What a song this is! Was it the lyrics?? Was it Raja's music?? Or Balu Mahendra's picturisation?? I dont even need to go as far as to Kamal or SriDevi do I? But this goes to show the influence of Kannadasan in the Tamil Movie Music industry.

From love songs to 'thathuvam' ones, he excelled at bringing out the best of words to carry the meaning of what he wanted to convey. But he kept it simple.Some of his 'thathuvam songs' that
I like are Paramasivan Kalethilyirenthu, Pirekum Pothum Aalugendray, Aaru Manameh Aaru, Atcham Yenbathu Madamay, Aatho Andhe Paravai, Ponal Pohgathum, Satti Suttathada and Oru Thai Makkal.

Some of his love song masterpieces that I love include songs like Kaadhal Siragai, Kanne Kalaimane, Naan Paarthethile, Paatu Padava, Pavadai Thavaniyil, Chippi Irekethe , Thanimayileh Inimaiy and Thangathileh Oru Kuurai.

Of course the small examples above cannot do justice to the approx 5000 song that he had written. But those songs above are some of his best in my opinion. I would love to have his total collection but that would be impossible. Thus far I only have about 100plus songs of his collection which I hope I can add to. That is just a fraction of what is out there!

All I want to say in the end... Thank You Kannadasan! May you rest in peace knowing your legacy will remain forever in our hearts!

Below are some Kannadasan based resources and further readings

This link HERE provides live streaming of some of Kannadasan's best songs

The link HERE provides some interesting snippets of him

The link HERE provides a brief intro for Kannadasan

The link HERE provides more details about him