Potpourri of titbits about cinema - Kaviyarasu Kannadasan
Kannadasan was replying to questions in a series published in the Tamil weekly ‘Idhayam pesukirathu’, published by Manian. In the issue, dated 21-6-1981, he had selected and replied to my question – ‘Did you think of the celluloid world and poetry when you were hospitalized?’ Kannadasan had replied – ‘I regretted for my inability to do my job; I was disappointed that I couldn’t write due to circumstances; I regretted that I had wasted time. And, I prayed to God to grace me with the same talent in my next birth too.’ And, he had given interesting and meaningful replies to many questions in columns in other magazines too. I am giving below some of the interesting replies:
Q: Who inspired you for your views?
A: Poverty, lack of facilities and ridicule by people!
Q: Do you have any negative trait which you yourself do not approve of?
Yeah, I’ve so many … trusting friends too much, being honest in politics, showing mercy to all and many more.
Q: Please compare woman with poem …
A: Woman can always be enjoyed whereas poetry can be enjoyed only when you relax.
Q: Mention the song that took you the minimum time to write …
A:‘Muththaana muththallavo’ in the film ‘Nenjil or aalayam’.
Q: Your writing has always lust as the basis. Why?
A: Lust will always be the nucleus …
Q: Who is your preceptor?
A: My foolishness …!
Q: Of late, you are more active in writing. Is there any reason for this?
A: My income from cinema is fully spent out. Books will be the property that I would leave for my children. I’ve to write at least another fifty books to ensure monetary stability to my children.
Q: I am an ardent reader of your writing. What is your advice to me?
A: Follow the writing, don’t follow the author.
Q: What is meant by ‘Kaakithak kanaikal’?
A: They mean ‘notices’. Weaklings can issue only notices …
Q: which is the place where both theism and atheism are present?
A: Theism is present when there is trust and success. Atheism dominates when there is disappointment, failure and frustration and when there’s motive for profit.
