Udumalai Narayana kavi -

This great Poet was born on 25.9.1899 in Poolavadi Village near Udumalpet.His early education was only till the 4th Standard and thereafter he learnt under Muthuswamy kavirayar. He later learnt the art of Harikathakalaksebam from the famed harikesanallur muthiah Nhagavathar.

Even as a young lad he was inspired to act and did so in several Plays.It was the time when the Freedom Movement was active and several young men were inspired to join the freedom struggle. He too went around the nearby Villages selling khadi products and singing nationalist songs. Some of these became very popular. His famous patriotic songs were sung by some of the most popular actors of that time - the early 1920s.

Cinema , entered the "Talkie" phase and the need for Actors/Singers and Poets was felt. He came into Cinema in 1933 - his association with N.S.Krishnan brought about several songs that were of great social relevance. His learning the art of harikatha obviously helped him when he wrote along with NSK , the satirical - Kindhanaar - based on the Nandhanaar story. His collaboration with NSK served to enhance the reputation of both. Along with Madhurai Bhaskara Das, Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram he dominated the lyrics department till the advent of Kannadasan the Poet. In the later years he wrote for MGR , with the Dravidian , Rationalist Philosophy in mind.....One of his greatest will probably be....the NSK song- Vingyanaththa Valarkka Poren dee......