Periyasaamy Thooran
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Periyasaami Thooran (September 26, 1908 - January 20, 1987) was a patriot, Tamil poet, teacher, and a composer of Carnatic music.
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[edit] Early life
Periyasami Thooran was born to K.A. Palanivelappa Gounder and Paavaathal in September 26, 1908 at Modakurichi in Erode district in India. He was greatly influenced and inspired by Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiyar and Mahatma Gandhi. When a student in college he published a monthly magazine called 'Pithan' and also wrote poems and short stories. He declined to sit his examination for Bachelor of Arts shocked by the execution by the British of the Bhagat Singh. Thooran gained his B.A. (Major : Mathematics, Minor: Astronomy ) and L.T. (Licentiate in Teaching) later.
[edit] Literary career
A prolific writer, he composed over six hundred songs on national, spiritual and moral issues. He wrote 'a poem a day' for several years after his daily poojas. He became popular and the melody queens N.C.Vasanthakokilam and D. K. Pattammal always included his works in their concerts. A man with noble ideals, Thooran is an acknowledged poet and composer. Analogous to Tyagaraja's 'Santhamulekha, Soukyamuledhu' (Sama), Thooran's 'Santhamillamal sukham undo?' (Nattaikurinji) stresses that there is no joy without patience and no contentment amidst worries. Deep philosophical truths lay hidden in his simple devotional songs. Musical aesthetics and bhava find abundant evidence in his compositions.
While he was not a musician, he had profound poetic talents. Like Arunachala Kavirayar, he had to seek outside help to set his lyrics to music. Sivaramakrishna Iyer (who was born in 1913 in Mavelikara, Kerala and had joined Sri Ramakrishna Vidyalaya as music teacher in 1937) was his guru and choreographer. Thooran also availed of the services of senior musicians like K. V. Narayanaswamy, T.K. Govinda Rao and T.V. Sankaranarayanan.
Tiger Varadachariar, Musiri Subramania Iyer and Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer are three of the eminent musicians who have spoken highly of his compositions. His popular compositions include Gananaathane (Saranga), Kaliyuga Varadhan (Brindavana Saranga), Muralidhara Gopala (Maand), Muruga Muruga (Saveri), Pazhani Nindra (Kapi), Punniyam Oru (Keeravani) and Thaye Thripurasundhari (Suddha Saveri).
Note: A biographical sketch on Thooran [1] by Rayappan is available for reference.
[edit] Contributions to Tamil literature
His songs werer published in five volumes entitled 'Isai Mani Manjari'. Other publications include 'Thooran Stories' (1962), 'Nalla Nalla Paattu' (1965), 'Call of the Wild' and 'Bharati' for children, some of which were purchased by Tamil Isai Sangam.
He was Chief Editor from 1948 to 1978 of the Tamil Encyclopaedia which ran to ten volumes. The credit for bringing out the first-ever Children's Encyclopaedia in the Tamil in ten volumes goes to him.
[edit] Tamil books written and published by Thooran
I. Four Volumes of Poetry
1. Ilanthamizha 2. Minnal Poo 3. Nilap Pinju 4. Patti Paravaigal
II. Six Volumes of Short Story Collections
1. Thanga Changili 2. Pillai Varam 3. Maavilakku 4. Kaalingarayan Kodai 5. Urimaip Penn 6. Thooran Ezhuthoviyangal
III. Three Volumes of Literary Essays
1. Thein Chittu 2. Poovin Sirippu 3. Kaattu Vazhithanile
IV. Plays
1. Azhagu Mayakkam 2. Ponniyin Thyagam 3. Choozhchi 4. Ilan Thuravi 5. Aadhi Aththi 6. Manak Kugai 7. Kaadhalum Kadamaiyum
V. Books on Psychology
1. Kuzanthai Ullam 2. Kuzanthai Manamum Athan Malarchiyum 3. Thazhvu Manappanmai 4. Adi Manam 5. Manamum Adhan Villakamum 6. Kumara Paruvam
VII. Book on Embryology
1. Karuvil Valarum Kuzhandhai
VIII. Book on Genetics
1.Paarambariyam 2.Petror Kodutha Perung Kodai
IX. Books for Children
a. Songs
1. Aanaiyum Poonaiyum 2. Nalla Nalla Pattu 3. Mazhalai Amudham
b. Animal Stories and Other Stories
1.Natya Rani 2.Jimmy 3.Nila Paatti 4.Olai Kili 5.Thambiyin Thiramai 6. Kadakkitti Mudakkitti 7. Manjal Muttai
c. Long Stories for Children
1. Maaya Kallan 2. Soorap Puli 3. Kollimalai Kullan 4. Sangagiri Kottaiyin Marmam 5. Tharangambody Thangappudhaiyal
d. Science Book for Children
1. Parakkum Manidhan
X. Musical Compositions with Swara Notations
1. Two Volumes published through Annamalai University Containing 150 songs 2. Isai Mani Malai 3. Isai Mani Manjari 4. Murugan Arul Mani Maalai 5. Keerthanai Amudham
XI. Folk Songs
Katril Vandha Kavithai
XII. Translations from English to Tamil
1. Kanagathin Kural (Original – Jack London’s call of the wild) 2. Kadal Kadandha Natppu – (Original Naomi Mitchison’s Judy and Lakshmi) 3. Paravaigalaip Par – (Original Jamal Aara’s Watching Binds)
XIII. Editions
1. Bharathi Tamizh 2. Thakurin Aimperum Katturaigal
XIV. Published from Palm Leave Manuscripts
1. Poet Kalamega’s Chithira Madal – Published with Anotations and Explanatory notes – (Poetry) 2. Vadivel Pillai’s Mohini Vilasam (Dance Drama) 3. Avinashi Navalan’s Thingalur Nonndi Nadakam – (Folk Song)
XV Books on Bharathi
1. Bharathi Noolagal Oru thiranaivu 2. Bharathiyarin Nagaichuvaiyum,Naiyaandiyum. 3. Bharathiyum Ulagamum 4. Bharathiyum Kadavulum 5. Bharathiyum Samoogamum 6. Bharathiyum Thamizhagamum 7. Bharathiyum Paattum 8. Bharathiyum Paapaavum 9. Bharathiyum Pennmaiyum 10. Bharathiyum Bharatha Desamum
XVI. Compilation of Encyclopaedias
1. General Encyclopaedia, 10 Volumes 2. Children’s Encyclopaedia, 10 Volumes
[edit] Values
His life was one of fulfilment and enduring contribution of intellectual excellence. The moral code of conduct he set for himself was high. When T.S. Avinashilingam Chettiar granted him a salary of Rs.30, he took only Rs.15 per mensem.
[edit] Honours and Titles
Padma Bhushan by President of India 1968
Isai Perarignar by Tamil Isai Sangam 1972
Kalaimamani by Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram 1970
Annamali Chettiar Award by MAC Charities 1978
