Children’s Poems in Tamil Literature

Children`s Poems in Tamil Literature play a significant role in the history of Tamil literature. Four decades ago, the eminent Tamil scholars Mani Tirunavuccaracu Mudaliar and K. Namaccivaya Mudaliar composed several poems and stories for children and included and published them in text books. The influence of their work has been so great that even the modern day authors and scholars compose poems for children by following the norms and standard established by these Tamil scholars. During that period a number of children`s hymns and poems were in vogue in the Tamil country. These songs and hymns were primarily recited by families. Later, renowned poets like Kavimani Tecikavinayakam Pillai and Paratiyar developed these Tamil poems for children and improved them to the standard of literary pieces through their own poetic compositions which reflect noble and dignified ideas and human feelings and emotions.

The children`s poems in Tamil literature that were composed by the well known poet and scholar Paratiyar gained immense popularity through out Tamil Nadu and are even popular today. Several of the poems written by him are meant for the benefit of children. Following the tradition of Auvaiyar, Paratiyar has composed a literary work in Tamil for children titled Putiya Atticcuti. But this work of Putiya Atticcuti is not generally considered as a children`s poem in Tamil literature as the poetic composition comprises of several wise proverbs that are beyond the knowledge and comprehension of children. These are constructed with concise and sweet words in simple sentences. Only the mere form of the poems is similar and appropriate to literature for the juveniles. But the theme and contents of the verses are certainly above their level of understanding. There are several poets who have been composing for children and contributing to the advancement of Tamil literature for children.

These poems should not be based on excessively intellectual or profoundly emotional themes. Children recite poems with zeal which express exciting and simple emotions with alliterations and assonances. Although the content of the verse in not of much importance in such poems, but it should comprise of a gratifying rhythm and rhyme. During the period from 1947 to 1952, numerous magazines were published, which consisted of many simple rhymes and poem, with the aim of catering to children. Following the steps of Mayilai Civumuttu and Namaccivaya Mudaliar, other Tamil poets and scholars created exciting, simple and lucid poems. The objective of the Tamil poet was to develop a body of Tamil literature for children. The verses, hymns and poetic tales composed by him were collected and compiled under the title Malarum Ullam, which was released in two large volumes. Another author named P. Turan has also composed a number of rhymed verses for children.

Various Tamil poems have been composed for children on the subject matter of beasts, animals and birds by many authors. Some of these poems, which capture their imagination, includes Vellai Muyal and Anil by Ala Valliappa; Pacuvum Kanrum, Eli Kaliyanam, Pommaikaliyanam, Cycle, Akayavimanam, Nay, Koli, Katikaram, Pacu and Kili Kakkai by Tecikavinayakam Pillai. The poetic style of Pillai is renowned for its lucidity which is expressed in an even sweeter and simpler manner in children`s poems in Tamil literature.