Ponnadiyan is one of the prominent poets in Tamilnadu and he was a close associate of Bharatidasan during his lifetime. Bharatidasan founded a forum for Tamil poets and Ponnadiyan is still maintaining the forum with the same vigor and efficiency. The ‘Tamil poets’ Forum’ is very famous for its poetic symposia held in
Ponnadiyan has brought out several numbers of volumes as compilation of his poems and he is actively engaged in the poetic field for the past five decades. As a disciple of Bharatidasan he is wedded to his progressive policies and his poems propagate lofty ideals of Periyar E.V.R.
His force and commitment can be seen in the following poem titled as ‘Please throw away.’
Throw them out, banish them
Expel them-comrades
While we are working for a noble cause
Whoever stands as barricades to us,
When we plan to put a strong base
For the welfare of our motherland
Those who always carry selfish motives
And put impediments to us,
Should be thrown out
Throw them out, banish them
Expel them-comrades
While we are working
For constructive schemes
From dawn to dusk
Those who give hindrance
Prevent our work
And wish to disturb our work
Should be thrown out
Throw them out, banish them
Expel them-comrades
With the help of the great power
Mankind has acquired
When we try to eradicate poverty
And drive away diseases
Those who want only
To fill up their stomach
Threaten us and oppose our agenda
Should be thrown out
Throw them out, banish them
Expel them-comrades
Those who want poverty to spread
Those who wish to reduce productivity
Those who want the rule of the anarchy
Those who want the mankind to be divided
With various religions and divisions
Should be thrown out
Throw them out, banish them
Expel them-comrades
Those who wish to be the bigger brothers
Those who become the stooge of cruelty
Those who want the ruling power with them
Should be thrown out
Even if they have
The God with them
Throw them out, banish them
Expel them-comrades
In a country where self-respect is not maintained due to poverty and greed, Ponnadiyan wishes to give useful advice to the younger generation to keep their dignity and maintain self-respect. Just for the sake of meager benefits the people are bowing their heads to antisocial elements that have enormous wealth earned in unjust ways. Prostrating has become quite common in Tamilnadu, a state where Periyar E.V.R. had dedicated his whole life to educate the people to maintain self-respect.
Ponnadiyan asks the people not to believe anybody including him. In a poem titled’ Do not believe anybody’ he advises the people not to believe any body and not to rely on others support. One should stand by one's own strength and should not rely on others, because this sort of dependence kills independent nature and makes one to loose self-respect.
In another poem “No! No!” he vehemently condemns the habit of depending on others.
We do not want Slavery
Please do not be a subordinate to others.
Half stomach porridge is enough
Worn out dress is enough
Even though we work for a daily wage
We will be much happier
We do not want Slavery
Please do not be a subordinate to others.
We do not want the luxury of a bungalow
We do not want prestige and pompous life
We have the support of our labor
Let us go in our own way
We do not want Slavery
Please do not be a subordinate to others.
We do not need the relationship of politicians
We do not want the petty jobs with bowing heads
We do not want to loose our rights
Just for the sake of a sumptuous meal
We do not want Slavery
Please do not be a subordinate to others.
Maintenance of Self-respect is the need of the hour and Ponnadiyan through his poems propagates this and his poems will definitely make the younger generation more confident with vigor and spirit.
Self-development, self-confidence and initiative will be the results if anybody reads his poems.
Ponnadiyan deserves a unique place among the modern poets for his mission to propagate these lofty ideals which are highly needed at these days.
