M. P. Periyasaamy Thooran (

Tamil Tamil may refer to: * Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils **Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia * Tamil language, nativ ...

: பெரியசாமி தூரன்) (26 September 1908 – 20 January 1987) was a patriot,

poet, teacher, and composer of

Carnatic music Carnatic music, known as or in the South Indian languages, is a system of music commonly associated with South India, including the modern Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and Sri Lanka. It is ...

Early life

Periyasamy was born to K. A. Palanivelappa Gounder and Paavaathal on 26 September 1908 at Manjakattuvalasu, near

Modakurichi Modakurichi is a Panchayat town and Taluk headquarters in Erode district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located as a suburb of Erode City, at a distance of 15 km from Erode City Central Bus Terminus and 8 km from Solar Bus ...

, in the Erode district of India. He was greatly influenced and inspired by the firebrand poet and revolutionary Subramania Bharathiyar, and

Mahatma Gandhi Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (; ; 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948), popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist Quote: "... marks Gandhi as a hybrid cosmopolitan figure who transformed ... anti- ...

. As a university student, he published an underground monthly magazine called ''Pithan'' containing incendiary articles that spoke out against the erstwhile British administration, in support of the

Indian Independence Movement The Indian independence movement was a series of historic events with the ultimate aim of ending British Raj, British rule in India. It lasted from 1857 to 1947. The first nationalistic revolutionary movement for Indian independence emerged ...

. This magazine was printed by K. M. Ramaswamy Gounder MLA in

Gobichettipalayam Gobichettipalayam () is the Selection grade municipality in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the administrative headquarters of Gobichettipalayam taluk. It is situated at the center of the South Indian Peninsula, from the district hea ...

initially. He also wrote poems and short stories during this period, adopting the pen name ''Thooran''. He declined to sit for the final Bachelor of Arts examination, in protest of the execution of

Bhagat Singh Bhagat Singh (27 September 1907 – 23 March 1931) was a charismatic Indian revolutionary* * who participated in the mistaken murder of a junior British police officer * * in what was to be retaliation for the death of an Indian national ...

. Periyasamy gained his Bachelor of Arts degree (in Mathematics with a Minor in Astronomy) and a L.T. (Licentiate in Teaching) later. Periyasamy's background in Science would prove to be instrumental in helping him complete the

Tamil Encyclopedia ''Kalaikkalanjiam'' (Tamil: Encyclopedia) is a universal encyclopedia in Tamil, published by the Tamil Development Academy, Chennai. The project was funded by the Union Government of India, the State Government of then Madras Presidency and ma ...

project, work on which began in 1947. He held that terms pertaining to science and technology were an integral part of the

Tamil language Tamil (; ' , ) is a Dravidian language natively spoken by the Tamil people of South Asia. Tamil is an official language of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the sovereign nations of Sri Lanka and Singapore, and the Indian territory of P ...

Literary career

A prolific writer, he composed over six hundred songs on national, spiritual and moral issues. He wrote 'a poem a day' for several years after his daily poojas. He became popular and the melody queens N. C. Vasanthakokilam and D. K. Pattammal always included his works in their concerts. A man with noble ideals, Thooran is an acknowledged poet and composer. Analogous to

Tyagaraja Thyagaraja (Telugu: త్యాగరాజ) (4 May 1767 – 6 January 1847), also known as Thyāgayya and in full as Kakarla Thyagabrahmam, was a composer and vocalist of Carnatic music, a form of Indian classical music. Tyagaraja and his ...

's 'Santhamulekha, Soukyamuledhu' (set to Sama rāgam), 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 The Sanskrit word bhava (भव) means being, worldly existence, becoming, birth, be, production, origin,Monier Monier-Williams (1899), Sanskrit English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, Archiveभव bhava but also habitual or emotional te ...

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 Mavelikkara is a taluk and municipality in the ''Onattukara'' region of Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. Located in the southern part of the district on the banks of the Achankovil River. Etymology The name 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 Tiger Varadachariar (1876–1950) was a Carnatic music vocalist from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. M. D. Ramanathan was his student. Early life Varadachariar was born on 1 August 1876 in Kolathur, Chingleput district. Masilamani and Pedda ...

Musiri Subramania Iyer Musiri Subramania Iyer (9 April 1899 – 25 March 1975) was a Carnatic vocalist whose stage performing career spanned the 1920s to the 1940s. After retirement from the stage, he remained an iconic figure in Carnatic music as a dedicated teache ...

and

Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer Semmangudi Radhakrishna Srinivasa Iyer (25 July 1908 – 31 October 2003) was an Indian Carnatic vocalist. He was the youngest recipient of the Sangeetha Kalanidhi awarded by the Music Academy in 1947, a distinction he holds to this day a ...

are three of the eminent musicians who have spoken highly of his compositions. His popular compositions include Gananaathane (Saranga), Kaliyuga Varadhan (Brindavana Sarang

Muralidhara Gopala (Maand), Muruga Muruga (Saveri), Pazhani Nindra (Kapi), Punniyam Oru (

Keeravani Keeravani (pronounced ) is a rāgam in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is the 21st ''Melakarta'' rāgam in the 72 ''melakarta'' rāgam system of Carnatic music. The 21st ''melakarta'' rāgam as per Muthuswami ...

), Thottu Thottu (Padam in Bihag), and Thaye Thripurasundhari (

Shuddha Saveri Shuddha Saveri or śuddha sāveri is a ragam in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music) and Yakshagana music. It is an ''audava'' rāgam (or ''owdava'' rāgam, meaning pentatonic scale). It is a '' janya'' rāgam (derive ...

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

which ran to ten volumes. The credit for bringing out the first-ever Children's Encyclopaedia in

in ten volumes goes to him.

Works

Poetry
Ilanthamizha
:*Minnal Poo :*Nilap Pinju :*Patti Paravaigal :*Thooran Kavithaigal 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 ::*Aanaiyum Poonaiyum 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 John Griffith Chaney (January 12, 1876 – November 22, 1916), better known as Jack London, was an American novelist, journalist and activist. A pioneer of commercial fiction and American magazines, he was one of the first American authors to ...

'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 annotations and explanatory notes :*Vadivel Pillai's Mohini Vilasam :*Avinashi Navalan'
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

:*General Encyclopedia, 10 Volumes :*Children's Encyclopedia, 10 Volumes

Honours and titles

Padma Bhushan The Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, preceded by the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan and followed by the Padma Shri. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is given for "distinguished service ...

by President of India 1968 *Isai Perarignar by Tamil Isai Sangam 1972 *

Kalaimamani The Kalaimamani is the highest civilian award in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. These awards are given by the ''Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram'' (literature, music and theatre), a unit of the Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of ...

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is a state in southern India. It is the tenth largest Indian state by area and the sixth largest by population. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu is the home of the Tamil people, whose Tamil language ...

Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram 1970 *Annamalai Chettiar Award by MAC Charities 1978

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thooran, Periyasaamy Thooran, Periasamy Thooran, Periasamy Thooran, Periasamy Indian independence activists from Tamil Nadu Thooran, Periasamy Thooran, Periasamy Thooran, Periasamy Thooran, Periasamy Carnatic composers Indian encyclopedists 20th-century Indian poets 20th-century Indian composers Indian male poets Musicians from Tamil Nadu Poets from Tamil Nadu People from Erode district 20th-century Indian male writers