Kunankuti Mastan

Kunankuti Mastan, also known as Kunangudi Mastan, was a revered Tamil Muslim poet and scholar who composed various literary and poetic works related to the Islamic religion and culture. His compositions are considered as valuable contributions to Tamil Islamic Literature. Kunankuti Mastan lived from the year 1788 to 1835 and his real name was Sultan Abdul Kadir (Sultan Ab Dul Qadir). Kunankuti Mastan became a hermit or sanyasi in Tamil, and lived the life of a recluse mendicant and spends his time in composing poetic works that described the ideas and customs of Islam. He also wrote numerous philosophical hymns which exemplified the essence of Islamic thought and culture. Kunankuti Mastan or Sultan Abdul Kadir eventually gained immense popularity as a poet and author in the Tamil country.

However the verses composed by Kunankuti Mastan or Kunangudi Mastan portrayed ecclectic views in general. Several of his poetic works bear strong resemblance to the composition style and the manner of expression of high philosophical thoughts of Tayumanavar. Thus the verses constructed by Kunankuti Mastan, alternatively known as Sultan Abdul Kadir, consisted of a universal appeal and enthralled the minds of the readers. There are a number of poems and hymns that were composed by Kunankuti Mastan, which are most popular for their articulation, diction, presentation and profundity of connotation. The much revered Tamil Muslim poet acquired mastery in composing poems in the different types of versification as mention in Tamil literary traditions.

A number of Hindu and other Tamil poets have mentioned Kunankuti Mastan with reverence in their literary works. For instance, the well known poet Caravanapperumalaiyar (Caravana Perumalaiyar) and the Tamil author Aiyacami Mudaliar composed poetical works, namely the Nanmanimalai and the Kunankuti Natar Patirruppattantati respectively, in honour and tribute to Kunankuti Mastan or Kunarikuti Mastan.

The popular Tamil Muslim poet liberally used colloquial words in his poems which attracted the general public and made it easy to be understood by the readers. Further more, Kunankuti Mastan composed his verse in a lucid, simple and smooth flowing manner which fascinated the readers. His poetic works are considered amongst the most significant contributions in Tamil literature. His literary and poetic works are renowned for their religious and philosophical theme, literary opulence and fascinating rhythm.