Periyasaamy Thooran

Periyasaamy Thooran Biography

Periyasaamy Thooran was a Tamil writer best known for his poetry works in Tamil language. He was a patriot who wrote many patriotic poems, a teacher, and composer of Carnatic music. He served as the chief editor of Kalaikkalanjiam (Tamil Encyclopedia), published by the Tamil Development Academy, Chennai. Started work in 1947 the first volume was released in 1954 and the tenth and final volume was released in 1968. Many of his compositions in Carnatic music are highly popular, and doyens of music like Tiger Varadachariar, Musiri Subramania Iyer and Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer appreciated his efforts. His songs were published in five volumes entitled 'Isai Mani Manjari'.

His full name is M. P. Periyasaamy Thooran. He was born on 26 September 1908 in Modakurichi of present day Erode district, Tamil Nadu state. During his younger days, he was deeply influenced by Subramania Bharathiyar and Mahatma Gandhi, and later wrote many patriotic Tamil songs which earned him popularity among common man. While he was doing his college studies, he published an underground monthly magazine called Pithan, which supported freedom struggle movement and criticized British for their policies. He took the pen name Thooran and wrote poems and prose work to support Indian Independence Movement.

He composed over six hundred songs on national, spiritual and moral issues. He had an unusual habit to write a poem every day after doing morning worship. Many of his Carnatic compositions were performed in music concerts by great Carnatic singers of 20^th century. Isai Mani Manjari, Thooran Stories, Nalla Nalla Paattu, Call of the Wild and Bharat are among his published works. Some of his works were written for children, and they include some short story collections too.

Published: September 02, 2018

Updated: September 02, 2018