Potpourri of titbits about cinema - Kaviyarasu Kannadasan

Q: What made you a poet?

A: Failure of my first love.

Q: Today’s film songs are not as melodious and sweet as those of olden times …why?

A: The directors of yesteryears were talented in many ways. They were able to project the talents of others in full form. But today’s youth have no maturity or experience. They are not brave enough to admit their lack of skills. These are the reasons for the steep fall in the quality of film songs.

Kannadasan had the integrity and courage to share his views with others. We all should read his books and poems. They are treasures in the sense that they’ll clarify all our doubts and render clarity and calmness of mind.

Kannadasan visited America in July 1981 to participate in the function organized by Tamizh Sangam and in the Poets’ Conference. There, he suddenly developed chest pain and was admitted to a hospital in Chicago town on 24th July and was given treatment. But he did not respond to the treatment and died on 17th October. He was only 54 years when he died. His body was brought to Chennai with the help of the then chief minister MGR and was cremated the next day. Today, he is not physically present, but his writings will stand the test of the time and will remain forever in the hearts of the Tamils. His works prove his words, “I am permanent; I’ve no death at any point in time”.