Chennai: If you are a lover of Tamil, then Enakkena Oru Vaanam authored by Chirappalli Mathevan is one not to be missed. Born in Thazhakudi, Kanyakumari district, Mathevan spent most of his life in Tiruchi, now settled in Chennai, the author has penned a number of short poems in this book.
Mathevan’s flow in these poems speaks of his love for the language. In his list of poems, he has covered a number of topics. Some of them include portrayal of a mother’s love, an army man’s bravery, river Cauvery’s beauty, the bitter causes of genetic science and more.
In most poems, the beauty lies in his strength of ‘comparisons’. The choosing of words and the clarity in the sentence construction will make one read some poems twice or thrice to taste the elegance of the language.
On what made this writer – who has been penning poems for over 30 years – to come up with a book is his Facebook posts. With suggestions from his friends, he chose to write his life experiences, current political scenarios and societal issues by bringing back the beautiful Tamil words from Sangam literature.
‘I majorly want to bring back the Tamil words from Sangam literature and make my readers understand them. Though these words are in use, most people do not know their meaning. My poems will bring out the exact usage of these words,’ says Mathevan.
In his poem, Thadaiyudaithu Vaa, he has beautifully explained the prosperity of Cauvery, how it used to run across the intra / inter-States and uplifted various districts. He has also strongly recorded his voice against the disputes over the river and what human carelessness has caused to the State water resource. The line Nelvidhaithaal Neerindri Vilayaathendru Elvidhaikum Paazhnilaikku Ponadhenna? is heart-wrenching.
Another poem, Potrudhum Potrudhum exactly portrays the current situation in the country. The one that talks about the bravery of a soldier says, Veezhvadhum Ezhuvadhum Veerarkondre – what a strong line!
One of the poems, that yet again touches your heart, would be, Enninum Kedaa. Here, the poet first talks about how a man takes care of his slippers and then questions the readers whether their mothers who were abandoned in the old-age homes are worth less than their slippers.
Besides helping the victims of the last year’s disaster Gaja cyclone, Mathevan has also written a poem that would soothe their souls. He boosts the people saying that Tamil Enaku Thaayendraal, Thamizharellam Uravu Dhane. Not stopping with words, Mathevan and his journalist son Santhosh toured the devastated delta districts after the monster cyclone and did work on the ground. In future, the author wants to write a commentary for Thirukkural and currently he is working on it. Chirappalli Mathevan can be contacted at 9994539627.