VELLORE: Speaking at the ‘Poet Kannadasan festival’, organised by Vellore Sri Putru Maharishi Siddha Vaidya Seva Sangam on Monday, the octogenarian film director S P Muthuraman, recalled his close association with Kannadasan. “‘What I love most in Kannadasan was his ability to produce song lyrics instantly for any situation that used to be loved by all,” he pointed out. The great poet used to play with words coupled with social messages with a philosophical flavour, that made Tamil cinema songs unique, he further said.
He said, he had worked for a Tamil magazine run by Kannadasan. Later, he joined AVM studio and worked under ace director A C Thrilokachander. Kannadasan used to listen to suggestions while drafting lyrics, he noted. Kannadasan had taken Tamil literature to the masses. In the olden days, radio played a crucial role in popularising Kannadasan songs. With radio playing a minor role now, it is difficult to induce interest in old Tamil songs that made literature so popular.