 Periyasaami Thooran was born on 26th September in the year 1908. He was a patriot, teacher, Tamil poet and a popular composer of Carnatic music.
Early Life of Periyasaami Thooran Periyasaami Thooran was born on 26th September 1908, to K.A. Palanivelappa Gounder and Paavaathal at Manjakattuvalasu near Modakurichi in the Erode district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Periyasaami was highly motivated and influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiyar. While he was still a student in college he published an underground monthly magazine called 'Pithan' which was printed by his contemporary K.M. Ramasami gounder in Gobichettipalayam in the beginning and also wrote poems and short stories. It was actually at this time that he began writing under the pen name called 'Thooran' as 'Pithan' featured anti British occupation literature. He declined to sit for the final Bachelor of Arts examination shocked by the execution by the British of Bhagat Singh. Thooran gained his Bachelor of Arts (Mathematics with a Minor in Astronomy) and L.T. (Licentiate in Teaching) later. Thooran's background in Science was to later help him complete the Tamil Encyclopaedia project as he was thoroughly convinced that Science and Technology was an integral part of language. Literary Career of Periyasaami Thooran Periyasaami Thooran was a prolific writer and he composed over six hundred songs on national, spiritual and moral issues. He also wrote 'a poem a day' for several years after his daily poojas. He also became famous and the melody queens N. C. Vasanthakokilam and D. K. Pattammal always included his works in their concerts. Periyasaami Thooran, a man with noble ideas, is an acknowledged poet and composer. Analogous to the Tyagaraja's 'Santhamulekha, Soukyamuledhu' (set to Sama ragam), 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 (Shuddha Saveri). Contributions to Tamil literature 
His songs were 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 Tamil in ten volumes goes to him. Works of Periyasaami Thooran Poetry Ilanthamizha Minnal Poo Nilap Pinju Patti Paravaigal Short Story Collections Thanga Changili Pillai Varam Maavilakku Kaalingarayan Kodai Urimaip Penn Thooran Ezhuthoviyangal Essays Thein Chittu Poovin Sirippu Kaattu Vazhithanile Plays Azhagu Mayakkam Ponniyin Thyagam Choozhchi Ilan Thuravi Aadhi Aththi Manak Kugai Kaadhalum Kadamaiyum Books on Psychology Kuzanthai Ullam Kuzanthai Manamum Athan Malarchiyum Thazhvu Manappanmai Adi Manam Manamum Adhan Villakamum Kumara Paruvam Book on Embryology Karuvil Valarum Kuzhandhai Books on genetics Paarambariyam Petror Kodutha Perung Kodai Books for Children Songs Aanaiyum Poonaiyum Nalla Nalla Pattu Mazhalai Amudham Animal and other stories Natya Rani Jimmy Nila Paatti Olai Kili Thambiyin Thiramai Kadakkitti Mudakkitti Manjal Muttai Other stories Maaya Kallan Soorap Puli Kollimalai Kullan Sangagiri Kottaiyin Marmam Tharangambody Thangappudhaiyal Science Parakkum Manidhan Musical Compositions with Swara notations Two Volumes published through Annamalai University containing 150 songs Isai Mani Malai Isai Mani Manjari Murugan Arul Mani Maalai Keerthanai Amudham Folk Songs Katril Vandha Kavithai Translations from English to Tamil Kanagathin Kural (Jack London's Call of the Wild) Kadal Kadandha Natppu (Naomi Mitchison's Judy and Lakshmi) Paravaigalaip Par (Jamal Aara's Watching Binds) Editions Bharathi Tamizh Thakurin Aimperum Katturaigal Published from palm-leaf manuscripts Poet Kalamega's Chithira Madal, with anotations and explanatory notes Vadivel Pillai's Mohini Vilasam Avinashi Navalan's Thingalur Nonndi Nadakam Books on Bharathi Bharathi Noolagal Oru Thiranaivu Bharathiyarin Nagaichuvaiyum,Naiyaandiyum. Bharathiyum Ulagamum Bharathiyum Kadavulum Bharathiyum Samoogamum Bharathiyum Thamizhagamum Bharathiyum Paattum Bharathiyum Paapaavum Bharathiyum Pennmaiyum Bharathiyum Bharatha Desamum Compilation of Tamil Encyclopedia General Encyclopaedia, 10 Volumes Children's Encyclopaedia, 10 Volumes 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 Annamalai Chettiar Award by MAC Charities 1978 |
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