Chennai
Those days, Tamil literature was confined only to scholars. However, after Kalaignar’s initiative, Tamil reached every nook and corner. He lives in old Tamil literature and as well as in the new. His service for Tamil language was people centric.
I love Kalaignar’s Tamil film Manohara, which was released in 1954. The dialogues in his movies touched the heart. Though released in 1950, the dialogues he had written for his first Tamil film Mandhrikumari is still admired by everyone. The strong dialogues make everyone take note even now. His film Parasakthi is another pick.
His literary work did not stop with just the realm of films; Kalaignar also researched in Sangam literature. He took his literary work to the younger generation. They accepted it, as it motivated them. Kalaignar is the pioneer among all modern day poets. Even his writings in the party mouth organ Murasoli is an eye-opener for not only older generation but youngsters as well.
I should give a big credit to Kalaignar, as I learnt Tamil from his film literature. In addition, his literary works on Tirukkuṛaḷ, Tolkāppiyam and Silapathigaram can be viewed as masterpieces. It is amazing to see how he could do all these in a short period of time. It is astonishing to see the fame he attained before even turning 40 years.
His works for Tamil language would never not die; the generations to come would surely be benefitted by his work.
Those days, Tamil was Sanskrit-based. Kalaignar changed the image of Tamil so that common men could understand. His writing speaks a lot. He did not write for himself, he did it for the people –whether he was in power or not. The power might have slipped from his hand, but his never his pen.
Even when his party was ruling Tamil Nadu and he led it as the chief minister, it was amazing to see how he continued literary work. I cannot do that. His love for Tamil language cannot be measured. Not only his pen spoke, but the way he pronounced Tamil was also excellent. Anyone could understand his speech as there was clarity. He always lived with the people, and will continue to live with common people.
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