'''Udumalai Narayana Kavi (1899-1981)'''


Tamil lyric writer. Born in a merchant
(Chettiar) family; learnt music from theatre
songwriter Udumalai Sarabam Muthusami
Kavi. Adopted part of his teacher’s name as a
tribute. Early work for gramophone
companies like Tasophone, Odeon and HMV,
often writing comic songs. Employed as lyric
writer by theatre groups, e.g. Arya Gana
Sabha, where he also occasionally acted. Film
début in Krishna Leela (1934). Worked at
Angel Films, Salem (Draupadi
Vastrapaharanam, 1934; Thooku Thooki,
1935). Campaigned in 1937 for the Congress
Party and wrote several nationalistic songs for
films like Maya Jyothi (1941), elaborating his
characteristic type of humorous propaganda
songs. A Dravidar Kazhagam ideologue and
early follower of Periyar. Best-known work in
the propaganda genre with the comedian N.S.
Krishnan, adopting a rationalist atheism also
found in the DMK Film. Wrote several
propaganda songs for DK films, starting with
Ezhanda Kadal (1941). The most famous one
was Nallathambi (1949), scripted by C.N.
Annadurai and starring Krishnan. Also wrote
classic verse opposing the brahminical clergy
in Sorgavasal (1954). Songs were often in the
old popular Company Natak style, with
simple rhymes. His lyrics and poetry were
compiled by the Dravidar Kazhagam (1986,
edited by Sanghai Velavan).

[[Music]]