Kannadasan (1927-81)

Prodigious Tamil poet, lyricist (over 5000 film songs) and producer. Key figure in the early DMK Film propaganda genre, often credited with reintroducing a classical Tamil literary ‘tradition’ to contemporary film audiences. Born as A.S. Muthaiah in Amaravatipudur, TN. Joined the journal Tirumakal (1944) which published his first poems. Published his own journals, the weekly Tenral, the monthly Mullai and the film journal Tenral Tirai; also edited the monthly Kannadasan and newspaper Katitam. Joined Modern Theatres’ story department (1947). Début as lyricist for Ramnoth?’s Kanniyin Kathali (1949) but worked mainly as a dialogue writer until G.R. Rao’s Illara Jyothi (1954). Joined the DMK (1947-64); responsible for some of their main propaganda lyrics in e.g. N.S. Krishnan?’s Panam (1952), T.R. Sundaram’s Thirumbi Paar (1953) and Yoganand?’s MGR classic Madurai Veeran (1956). Founded Kannadasan Pics producing Malai Itta Mangai (1958), Sivagangai Seemai (1959), Kavalai Illatha Manithan (1960), Vanambadi (1963), etc. Became an independent star attraction after his successful lyrics in Bhimsingh?’s early films, usually set to music by the Vishwanathan-Ramamurthy team (e.g. Ponal pokattum poda in Palum Pazhamum, 1961). Left the DMK after an argument with Karunanidhi, an incident often cited to indicate the degree to which personal rivalries between film people affected the DMK Party structure. Kannadasan later became a member of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee. One of his last films is Balu Mahendra’s Moondram? Pirai (1982). Other writings include 21 novels, 10 volumes of religious discourses and over 4000 poems (cf. Kannadasan, 1970).

Music

Producer