BOOK REVIEW
by
ILAKKUVANAR MARAIMALAI
VISITING PROFESSOR, TAMILNADU.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Poet Amallathasan is a dedicated poet with a zest and zeal to propagate patriotism
and humanism among Singaporeans.For the past four decades he is doing a lot of contribution to Tamil literature.He is the first among equals in other languages and for this his poems serve as monumental examples.
His compilation of poems under the title "Pullaanguzhal" (The Flute) reveals his artistic skill of producing rhythmic creations.This volume contains Sixty poems under the subdivisions,Language,Country,The Buds,Love,Nature and Society.
There are seven poems in this volume which sing the glory of Mother Tamil.
Paaluurum Thamizh(The Nectarous Tamil) deifies Mother Tamil.The poet resembles Bharatidasan in his deep love to Tamil language,when he says:
No survival sans she,
No other possession except she,
No space in my Bosom
Except for her.
The next poem in this subdivision,titled,"Narunthamizh"(The Buds Riser)emphasises the importance of Tamil language to Tamils.
Is there Salvation to the Tamils
Except through Tamils?
Is there anyother tongue
Which can excel Tamil on earth?
These questions wish to make a deeep impact among Tamils who ignore their language in every spheres.Vaazhga Thamizh(Long Live Tamil),the next poem,also hails Tamil with devotion.
Thamizhilee paadinaal paadu(Sing only in Tamil) instructs the Tamils to sing in their mothertongue,Tamil.The Tamil music has a history of Three thousand years.Sangam anthology,Cilappathikaram,Thevaaram and Thivviyaprabhantham are concrete examples of the uniqueness of Tamil music.But it is a pity that Tamils prefer to sing in Telugu.If this attitude among Tamils continues then Tamil music may perish.The poet gives a timely advice through this poem.
The other poems in this subdivision,Enakkenna kuraichal(I have no wants),Engal Thamizhmozhi(Our Tamil Language)and Cemmozhiyaanathu Thamizh(Tamil now Classical language) not only illustrate the poet's language loyalty but also motivate the readers to adore their mothertongue.
There are five poems in the subdivision Naadu(The Country).Excluding Malaiyagam(Malaysia) all the other poems sing in praise of Singapore.The poet wishes to inculcate patriotism throgh these poems.If translated in the other national languages os Singapore,these poems,will definitely act as powerful stimulants of patriotism in the readers' minds.
Twelve poems under the subdivision Arumbugal(The Buds) are the contribution of the poet to Children literature.Simple words expressed with jingling rhythm have the power to attract children.Saluting the national flag,admiring Nature and attention towards education form the themes of these poems.
Six poems under the subdivision Kaathal (Love) demonstrate the poet's unique attitude in composing love-poems.He shuns sensuous description of women's beauty.in the poem titled "Aval peerazhagi"(The Great Beauty) he personifies Nature as his lady-love and efficiently expresses his love towards nature.Manjalaayk kungumamaay mananthaval engee?(Where is the SweetHeart) is an elegy composed at the sad demise of his beloved wife.The other poems in this section are sublime love lyrics.
The last and largest subdivision of this book,Samudhaayam ( Society) consists of Twentythree poems.
The poet's progressive views and lofty ideals form the themes of poems.
The poet has composed befitting eulogies in praise of President of the republic of Singapore Hon.S.R.Nathan,Lee Kuan Yew -the architect of modern Singapore and Goh Chok Tong,the senior minister of Singapore.
The sense of grattitude that every citizen of Singapore wishes to express when he thinks of LeeKuanYew is powerfully put forth with choicy diction in a poem.The smallest country in the southeast asia,Singapore has become the richest by the meticulous works of the Leader Lee.
We also endorse the poet's views whole-heartedly when he sings in praise of this unique leader.
He is our Guiding star!
The darling of our eyes!
Abounds all the wealth
Our eyes are moist in grattitude!
and humanism among Singaporeans.For the past four decades he is doing a lot of contribution to Tamil literature.He is the first among equals in other languages and for this his poems serve as monumental examples.
His compilation of poems under the title "Pullaanguzhal" (The Flute) reveals his artistic skill of producing rhythmic creations.This volume contains Sixty poems under the subdivisions,Language,Country,The Buds,Love,Nature and Society.
There are seven poems in this volume which sing the glory of Mother Tamil.
Paaluurum Thamizh(The Nectarous Tamil) deifies Mother Tamil.The poet resembles Bharatidasan in his deep love to Tamil language,when he says:
No survival sans she,
No other possession except she,
No space in my Bosom
Except for her.
The next poem in this subdivision,titled,"Narunthamizh"(The Buds Riser)emphasises the importance of Tamil language to Tamils.
Is there Salvation to the Tamils
Except through Tamils?
Is there anyother tongue
Which can excel Tamil on earth?
These questions wish to make a deeep impact among Tamils who ignore their language in every spheres.Vaazhga Thamizh(Long Live Tamil),the next poem,also hails Tamil with devotion.
Thamizhilee paadinaal paadu(Sing only in Tamil) instructs the Tamils to sing in their mothertongue,Tamil.The Tamil music has a history of Three thousand years.Sangam anthology,Cilappathikaram,Thevaaram and Thivviyaprabhantham are concrete examples of the uniqueness of Tamil music.But it is a pity that Tamils prefer to sing in Telugu.If this attitude among Tamils continues then Tamil music may perish.The poet gives a timely advice through this poem.
The other poems in this subdivision,Enakkenna kuraichal(I have no wants),Engal Thamizhmozhi(Our Tamil Language)and Cemmozhiyaanathu Thamizh(Tamil now Classical language) not only illustrate the poet's language loyalty but also motivate the readers to adore their mothertongue.
There are five poems in the subdivision Naadu(The Country).Excluding Malaiyagam(Malaysia) all the other poems sing in praise of Singapore.The poet wishes to inculcate patriotism throgh these poems.If translated in the other national languages os Singapore,these poems,will definitely act as powerful stimulants of patriotism in the readers' minds.
Twelve poems under the subdivision Arumbugal(The Buds) are the contribution of the poet to Children literature.Simple words expressed with jingling rhythm have the power to attract children.Saluting the national flag,admiring Nature and attention towards education form the themes of these poems.
Six poems under the subdivision Kaathal (Love) demonstrate the poet's unique attitude in composing love-poems.He shuns sensuous description of women's beauty.in the poem titled "Aval peerazhagi"(The Great Beauty) he personifies Nature as his lady-love and efficiently expresses his love towards nature.Manjalaayk kungumamaay mananthaval engee?(Where is the SweetHeart) is an elegy composed at the sad demise of his beloved wife.The other poems in this section are sublime love lyrics.
The last and largest subdivision of this book,Samudhaayam ( Society) consists of Twentythree poems.
The poet's progressive views and lofty ideals form the themes of poems.
The poet has composed befitting eulogies in praise of President of the republic of Singapore Hon.S.R.Nathan,Lee Kuan Yew -the architect of modern Singapore and Goh Chok Tong,the senior minister of Singapore.
The sense of grattitude that every citizen of Singapore wishes to express when he thinks of LeeKuanYew is powerfully put forth with choicy diction in a poem.The smallest country in the southeast asia,Singapore has become the richest by the meticulous works of the Leader Lee.
We also endorse the poet's views whole-heartedly when he sings in praise of this unique leader.
He is our Guiding star!
The darling of our eyes!
Abounds all the wealth
Our eyes are moist in grattitude!
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