Vanidasan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Paavendar

Vanidasan
Native name
வாணிதாசன்
BornArangasamy Ethirasalu
22 July 1915
Villianur, Puducherry, India
Died7 August 1974(1974-08-07) (aged 59)
Pen nameRami
OccupationTeacher, Tamil poet
SpouseAdilakshmi
ParentsFather : Thirukkaamu
Mother : Tulsiammal

Vanidasan (July 22, 1915 - August 7, 1974) was a 20th-century Tamil poet. He was known to be one from Pavalar generation known as 'Bharathidasan's poetic ancestry'[clarification needed]. He was an expert in Tamil, Telugu, English and French.[1] He published over 17 collections of poetry, including several novels in poetry form.[2]

Early life[edit]

He was born in Villianur, next to Puducherry. His father Thirukkaamu and mother Tulsiammal named him Arangasamy. He was also known by his nickname 'Rami'.[3]

He was taught in primary school by the writer Bharathidasan. He started writing under the pen name ‘Ra-Mi’.[2] He published his songs in the book Tamil Kavithai Kalanjiyam published by Sahitya Akademi and in another book published by the Southern Language Book Publishing Group. His songs have been translated into Russian and English.[1] He was also proficient in French, in which he published Tamil-French Kaiagara Mudali.

In 1935, Vanidasan married Adilakshmi, niece of his step-mother. They had nine children, male and female. The eldest of them, Madhuri, married V Kaliyamoorthy on 10 May 1959 in the presence of Mayilai Sivamuthu.[4]

Honours[edit]

He was complimented[by whom?] as the 'Wordsworth of Tamil Nadu' as his songs excelled in portraying nature. He received the Chevalier honour from the French president.[2][1] Titles such as 'Pavalar Mani' and 'Paavendar' were also given to Vanidasan. He worked as a Tamil teacher for 34 years of his life.[1] He was also praised by scholar Thiru. V. Kalyanasundaram for his works. Mayilai Sivamuthu lauded him as the 'Tagore of Tamil Nadu'.[5]

Legacy[edit]

Vanidasan died on 7 August 1974. His family was given a gift of 10,000 (equivalent to 300,000 or US$3,800 in 2023) in appreciation by the Tamil Nadu government. A government high school in Seliamedu was named after him. The Tamil Nadu government has also nationalised his works.[5]

Bibliography[edit]

  1. Iravu Varavillai
  2. Inba Ilakiyam
  3. Inikum Paatu
  4. Ezhil Virutham
  5. Ezhiloviyam
  6. Kulanthai Ilakiyam
  7. Kodi Mullai
  8. Siritha Nuna
  9. Tamizhachi
  10. Theertha Yathirai
  11. Thoduvaanam
  12. Paataranga Padalgal
  13. Paatu Pirakumadaa
  14. Periya Edathu Seithi
  15. Pokarparisu
  16. Vanidasan Poems — First Vol
  17. Vanidasan Poetry — Second Vol
  18. Vanidasan Poetry — Third Vol

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "வாணிதாசன் குறிப்பு Vanidasan". Eluthu (in Tamil). Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Kishore, Kavita (11 March 2014). "Book on revolutionary poet Vanidasan released in Puducherry". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  3. ^ "தமிழ் அறிஞர்கள் அறிவோம்: கவிஞர் வாணிதாசன்". Dinamani (in Tamil). Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  4. ^ Thennagam, 8-5-1959; Chennai; P .6
  5. ^ a b "தமிழகத்தின் வேர்ட்ஸ்வார்த் வாணிதாசன்" (in Tamil). Retrieved 8 April 2020.

External links[edit]