Latest news with #Kannadasan
News18
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Kannadasan Wrote This Kamal-Rajini Movie Song Half-Asleep — And Still Won A National Award!
1/9 The 71st National Film Awards were recently announced, with Tamil cinema receiving notable recognition. The award for Best Tamil Film was given to Parking (2023), while GV Prakash was named Best Music Director for Vaathi (2023). Parking also earned Ramkumar Balakrishnan the award for Best Screenplay, and veteran actor MS Bhaskar won Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the same film. Among the many fascinating tales surrounding the National Awards is an intriguing story about the legendary lyricist Kannadasan, who won a National Award for a song he wrote while half asleep. Kannadasan is often the first name that springs to mind when one thinks of poets. His lyrics possess a distinctive charm, and beyond songwriting, he also acted in numerous films. Having penned songs for approximately 4,500 films, produced six films, and authored many books, Kannadasan even went so far as to write his own obituary. Despite his many achievements, one of his most memorable was winning a National Award for a song in a Rajinikanth film, composed while he was half asleep. Do you know which film featured that song? It was Apoorva Raagangal (1975), directed by K Balachander, which marked Rajinikanth's debut in Tamil cinema and also starred Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, and Srividya. The music was composed by MS Viswanathan. During the filming of Apoorva Raagangal, K Balachander and MS Viswanathan were discussing a song for the film with actor Kamal Haasan present. Balachander suggested holding a rehearsal the following day, but MS Viswanathan explained that Kannadasan's lyrics had not yet arrived. This irritated K Balachander, who questioned how long they would have to wait for the poet. MS Viswanathan tried to calm him, but when Kamal Haasan mentioned that Kannadasan was sleeping upstairs, K Balachander's anger intensified. He threatened to cancel the shoot, which woke Kannadasan, who overheard the commotion. After an hour, MS Viswanathan sent someone to check if Kannadasan was awake. The person found that Kannadasan had gone, but his assistant Anandhu handed over a piece of paper to K Balachander. Upon opening it, he was astonished to discover seven different songs written by Kannadasan. Confused about which song to choose, Balachander selected Ezhuswarangalukkul, sung by Vani Jayaram. This song, written in a semi-drowsy state, became immensely popular and won the National Award. Vani Jayaram also received the Best Female Playback Singer award for her performance. The film Apoorva Raagangal went on to win a total of three National Awards.
Malaysiakini
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Malaysiakini
Poet laureate Kannadasan transcends generations
LETTER | I had an unforgettable experience at the Kannadasan Festival on Sunday noon, held at the Chettiar's Hall, Kuala Lumpur. It was a true Tamil elixir, where hundreds of enthusiasts and literature lovers were immersed in poet laureate Kannadasan's timeless literary treasures. The annual event was organised by M Saravanan, the Malaysia Kannadasan Foundation chairperson, Tapah MP, and MIC national deputy president. Renowned Tamil Nadu orators Thamal K Saravanan and Indra Vijayalakshmi delivered speeches at this free-admission event. Kannadasan's verses explored emotions with intimacy, depth, and literary flair. Kannadasan's poeticism captured the very essence of life and death and everything in between, making his songs immortal and proving his verses right. I am permanent and have no destruction and death cannot touch me under any circumstances, wrote poet laureate Kannadasan. History will remember him for his prolific and poignant work. Kannadasan's work gave prominence to songs in Tamil cinema. His songs have enlightened and empowered successive generations like no one before or after him. Kannadasan is a Tamil poet laureate, lyricist, writer, film producer and a philosopher. He has written over 5,000 songs and has also written 232 books, in prose and poetry, about various religions. First, Kannadasan wrote Tamil in such a simple and spoken style, easily understood by the common man. He conveyed very deep meaning in a plain and simple style. Whether it was MS Viswanathan, KV Mahadevan or llayaraja, Kannadasan had remained the go-to man with a flow of words that magically fit into the varied tunes the maestros had churned out. He wrote songs for films starring MGR and Sivaji Ganesan, showcasing his versatility and ability to adapt to different genres and themes. The legendary lyricist Kannadasan left a legacy that nobody could match even to date. Kannadasan and music composer MS Visvanathan worked on an array of mellifluous songs that will be remembered by the audience forever. An important contribution he has made to the Hindu society is his book 'Arthamulla Hindu Madham', which explains the significant foundation on which the foundation of the Hindu philosophy is based. Saravanan has contributed to and championed the popularity of the Tamil language and literature through various modes on the basis of his deep knowledge of literature. At the event, there were poetry recitals, literary speeches by prominent speakers Thaamal Saravanan and Indra Vijayalakshmi and recognition for locals actively working in the area of Tamil literature. The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
New Indian Express
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Tributes to ‘kaviarasar' on 99th birth anniversary
VELLORE: The 99th birth anniversary of Tamil lyricist and poet Kannadasan was celebrated by Vellore Kamban Kazhagam in collaboration with the Tamil department of Voorhees College on Saturday. Drawing parallels between Tamil poet Kambar and Kannadasan, VIT vice-president and president of the kazhagam GV Selvam described the latter as a literary polymath whose lyrics continue to resonate with human emotions and timeless values. Presiding over the event, VIT founder and chancellor Dr G Viswanathan recalled his personal interactions with Kannadasan.
New Indian Express
14-06-2025
- New Indian Express
SHRC holds final hearing in multiple police atrocity cases, reserves orders
TIRUNELVELI: State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) member V Kannadasan on Friday conducted the final hearing on multiple cases of alleged police atrocities, including the sexual harassment of a woman from Kanniyakumari, the custodial torture of a Thoothukudi man who later died, and the custodial violence against a man from Erwadi in Tirunelveli. The orders in these cases have been reserved. In a case relating to the alleged custodial torture of one Selvakumar at the Erwadi police station, Kannadasan criticised sub-inspector V Immanuel and constable L Muthukumar for being unaware of CCTV camera footage retention norms. Immanuel, who had suggested the existence of surveillance footage during cross-examination, said the same was unavailable during the final hearing. The police personnel said they had been instructed, after the Sathankulam custodial deaths, to maintain surveillance footage for six months. However, Kannadasan pointed out that the rulings of the Supreme Court and High Court, along with a directive from the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police, mandate that the footage be stored for 12 to 18 months. Selvakumar's counsel accused the police personnel of filing a false case and alleged that the SI and the constable had assaulted the victim for approaching the High Court to secure bail.
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- The Hindu
‘Extra-ordinary delay' in registering FIR in domestic abuse: SHRC recommends compensation to Chennai woman
The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has recommended the Tamil Nadu government to pay a compensation of ₹25,000 to a Chennai woman over the delay on the part of the police personnel in registering a FIR on her complaint alleging domestic abuse. SHRC member V. Kannadasan also recommended the government to recover the sum from N. Lakshmi, then Inspector of All Women Police Station in Egmore in Chennai. According to a complaint by R. Reka of Pudupet, her hgusband had subjected her to extreme physical, sexual, mental, economic and emotional violence. Though she lodged a complaint with Chennai Police Commissioner in August 2022 and appeared for enquiry in All Women Police Station in Egmore, no action was taken. She also filed a complaint with Deputy Commissioner, Triplicane under Section 154 (3) of Cr.P.C and then under Section 156(3) of Cr.P.C. in the Additional Mahila Court but in vain. The police tried to convince her for family counselling and the police also directed her to write what they say but she did not do so, she alleged. Eventually, a FIR was registered in December 2022 under Sections 323, 406, 498A, 506(i) of the IPC. The respondent Inspector denied the charges against her. However, considering the oral and documentary evidence and the arguments of both the parties, the Commission said there was 'extra-ordinary delay in registering the FIR and it was not explained by the respondent which shows the lethargic attitude of the 1st respondent.' The action on the part of the 1st respondent amounted to violation of human rights of the complainant and she had failed to prove her innocence that she had performed her duty in accordance with law, the Commission said.
