PICHINIKKAADU ILANGO, A TAMIL POET IN SINGAPORE IS FAMOUS FOR HIS THOUGHT-PROVOKING POEMS IN VERSE LIBRE AS WELL AS TRADITIONAL PROSODY.
Muthal osai ,a volume of traditional poems is a compilation of 49 poems in traditional meter.
The poems in this volume show the skill and craftsmanship of the poet in poetic art.
The choice of words,portrayal of images and similes in a simple and subtle manner depict the uniqueness of the poet.
He shuns the impact of his predecessors and explores new styles of expressions in his own way.
The poem titled ‘Vaergal’(Roots) explains the importance of the roots for any positive growth and development.Be it the beautiful flowers ,fruit-yielding trees or public welfare projects,the strength and efficiency of the roots remain as the main source.But does anybody think of it?
The poet hails the roots as embodiments of sacrificial mind and abode of wisdom.
The "Night Saree" ( eravuch chaelai)is a pen-portrait of the night.Saree is an Indian garment of atleast Five metres length which is wrapped around the bodies by women.The saree consists of beautiful designs in attractive colours.In this poem the poet describes the sky as a lady who wears the night time as a saree around her body.The moon is described as the attractive face of the sky.The poet falls in love with the damsel,sky,attracted by her saree as well as face.Here he reminds us of Bharati’s poem "Azhaguth theyvam" in which he depicts an embodiment of dazzling beauty who comes in his dream and drives him to the height of ecstasy.Bharati,a worshipper of SHAKTHI,suggests the readers that he is describing SHAKTHI in his poem.Pichinikkaadu an admirer of mother Nature gives the suggestion through this poem that his love with nature is endless.
"The Rain"(Mazhai) is a short poem in admiration of the rain as a boon to humanity.
"Kavippoo"(Poetic Flower) illustrates the plights of the poets in search of themes and moods to bring forth poems.The poet is a sculptor.It is believed that Indira creates Rainbow.The poet surpasses Indira in his kaleidoscopic varieety of imagination,according to Pichinikkaadu.
"What is a poem"(Edhu Kavithai?)is definitely the manifesto of Pichinikkaadu.Here,in this poem he gives a definition to poetry.There should not be empty words and bombastic rhythm in poetry.Lofty ideals and original thinking should adorn the poetry.No attack on anybody but
constructive ideals to create a new world should be the aim of the poet.
The Fire itself weeps"(Neruppae azhukirathu")is an elegy to the students of an agricultural college in Coimbatore who were burnt alive by hooligans in protest against a verdict finding fault with their political leader in a corruption case.The young ladies who were on an educational tour became the victims of political rowdyism.It made the poet to burst in a very sad mood.Pichinikkaadu is an old student of that agricultural college.It aggravated his despair and he laments over the pitiable death of the innocent young girls.The cruelty and gruesome mentality of the culprits becomes the target of the poet’s attack.One who reads this poem will surely weep instantly as the poem depicts the anguish of the poet in a powerful manner.It comes from the heart of the poet and has the power to penetrate the souls of the raeders.
"Neettaatheae Paattai"("DO NOT DRAG ON YOUR POETIC CAREER") is a revealation that mere poetic career is a useless job. Service to the mankind,animals,birds and other creatures is the need of the hour.A fleet of Doves which crosses the poet gives this piece of advice to him and he realises this truth and makes up his mind to dedicate in the self-lesss service to other beings.
"Agony of the Cuckoo"(Kuyilin sogam") is a lyric depicting the sad mood of a cuckoo.
The poem is symbolic and has a deep meaning.The folk rhythm and simple words employed in this poem possess the power to melt even minds made of iron.The poem is a mixture of both obscurantic and anecdotal elements making a rare combination.The artistic skill of narration is highly commendable.
‘In Those days"(Andhak kaalam") is an expression of nostalgia.The poet frowns in remembrance of those days when the nature was given due respect by our ancestors.Now due to de-forestation we suffer from eco-imbalance.The poet longs for those days and wishes such a period to usher in.
"To my dear wife"(anbaana manaivikku") is an imaginary letter from the poet to his wife.
This letter wishes to explain the agony and anguish of the workers who have left their home-land to other places just for a fair earning and uplift of their economic status.
