I have been reading the book “Vanavasam” a biographical account of his years in the DMK by Kannadasan , the greatest lyricist , Tamil Cinema has ever produced, my view at any rate. There was many a time that I have met him, indeed it will not be incorrect to say that he, MGR, Kovai Chezhiyan, Sridhar ( Director) were all close friends of my dad – from the Entertainment Industry. I have consciously avoided mentioning Anna and kalaignar for we will, for this blog consider them as from the field of Politics.

Many are aware that Kannadasan went to my good friend G.Thyagarajan’s recording (Moondram Pirai Producer) and Kanne Kalaimaane , a real beauty, turned out to be his last recorded song. Before going there that morning, around 8 AM , he landed up at home. I was downstairs and he asked me to call my Dad, who had probably not yet woken up or had just done so. It was the time when , they both had some tiff……they fought pretty often like Husband and wife – so close was their friendship.My dad came on the phone and told kavignar he will not see him, when Kavignar said that he was off to America and wanted to say bye….My dad told him to go there get well ( a euphemism for Kavignar to get rid of a few habits) and come back and that on their return My dad and he will share a drink – something they used to do on a daily basis , till this tiff. Kavignar put the Phone down, and told me – Bala ( thats how his friends called him) Kovichikittu irukkan, poittu varennu sollu…..I said seri Uncle and he was off……this was sometime in September 1981. He passed away that October 17th.

For A full ten years – till 1991 , when my Father passed away , almost daily , he used to lament – sollikittu poga vandhaan, paarka mattennu solli anuppittene…..I saw two references to my father in this book – which I have reproduced….The snaps with kavignar were taken during my wedding Reception – July 1979.