Poet Pon.Selvaganapathy

POET PON.SELVAGANAPATHY
Pon .Selvaganapathy hails from Aadhivaraganathamvillage that is near Bhuvanagiri situated in the Chidambaram Taluk.He had his college education inAnnamalai Univetrsity.First he underwent the Pulavar course (an oriental title) and then B.O.L. degree course in this university from illustrious scholars.

The proximity of his native village to his alma mater helped him take part in all the literary activities of the university.Ulundhurpettai Shanmugam, a notable poet of our age who was working as a lecturer at that time encouraged the creative efforts of Selvaganapathy, a budding poet then.

Later Selvaganapathy pursued his Postgraduate course in Presidency College at Chennai.The city atmosphere made his literary efforts fruitful. The A.I.R. conducted a competition on 1970 for the youth to compose poems in which Selvaganapathy won the prize and recited the poem under the presidentship of Kalaignar Mu.Karunanithi who was the chief minister of Tamilnadu at that time. A play written by him (Kavariman) was broadcasted by A.I.R.A drama in verse written by him was enacted by girl students in a function at Presidency college women’s hostel.His first volume of poems titled "Poems of Selvaganapathy"was published at that time (1972) when he was a postgraduate student at Presidency college. Besides carrying greeting messages from Kalaignar Mu.Karunanithi and T.V.Meykandar, this volume has got three forewords from three eminent men of literature.

Kannadasan, a literary celebrity and a legend in his time who still reigns the hearts of Tamil readers by his lyrics.gave a foreword in appreciation of this book. The foreword under the title"True poet is here"is in all praise for Selvaganapathy’s poems. Let us see a section of the foreword.

"A good poem uses powerful diction to carry lofty ideals deep into the hearts of the readers; Bombastic and ornamental word usage do not make a poem. Prosody adorns poetry but does not yield or motivate any message in a poem.An in-depth knowledge of prosody alone can not just make a notable poet. The poet should have a keen social awareness and lofty ideals to make remarkable achievements in poetry.This volume of poems illustrates that Pon.Selvaganapathy is a very remarkable poet. When I came to know the poet is a student, the words that came spontaneously out of my lip were:’How mature he is at this young age!’
Lofty ideals are expressed throughout this volume; Highlighting ethics follow suit.Tragedies, which occur in human life, are portrayed well.His love for Tamil had made him attack those who are not loyal to their mother tongue.Innovative imageries have blossomed.His political affiliation is explicit.The condemnation of racial apartheid shows his universal outlook.

A spark has come from his rebellious and revolutionary mind.He is also receptive to modernist movements.National awareness is also there.

In total the poet acts independently without any bias.Without confining himself to any particular standpoint, a poet should express what he considers as right and justifiable through his poems. In that way Selvaganapathy is a true poet very sincere to his career.He has a bright future."

Thus says Kannadasan in the beginning of his foreword. Thereafter he narrates some particular stanzas, which are highly appreciable to him.The other two forewords are from his mentors Ulundurpettai Shanmugam and Dr.M.Sundaram.
The first volume consists of forty-eight poems on various themes.
Mother Tamil,
Nature,
Love,
Patriotism,
International Brotherhood and Humanism are the predominant themes.

Propaganda and Proclamation

The very first poem in this volume, titled "Wish", expresses the poet’s uncompromising personality.

Even if I were burnt alive by scoundrels
Or my life were put to an end by a bloody dagger
Or I were buried in a sandy desert
I wish the valour not to fear for the death

A poet who stands for rebellious thoughts and progressive ideals should not have any fear for the death. If he has even an iota of fear he may compromise and let loose his rigid stand. This poem shows the commitment of the poet to radical ideas and his conviction in adhering to those ideas at any cost.

The poem titled "Poem" gives a clear picture of what the poet considers a poem should be.
Poem…
The beautification of language
The soul of the poet
The springing fountain of skilful expression
An innovation
A beacon of communication
Embodiment of modest femininity
Which neither melts in any fire
Nor sinks in deluge
Minute in form
Magnificent in theme
Presents visual pictures
By its powerful imagery
Oh…that is
What we call….
A poem!
This poem about poem, which narrates a critical theory, shows the critical acumen of Pon.Selvaganapathy.