M. Mettha's contribution to Pudukavithai

Abstract

The origins of Tamil Puthukavithai can be traced back to the poet Bharathiyar. It was his verse poem 'Kaatchi' that gave rise to the poetic form of "Pudukavithai". The name Pudukavithai came into vogue in the 60s. Prior to that, its’ attempt to give free form to poetic form without being bound by Yaaapu methods was called "Vasanakavithai". Vallikannan later mentions, it had to bear names like "Yaapillaa Kavithai" "Ilagu Kavithai" Kattiladanga Kavithai". Mettha’s books have attracted the hearts of the youth and have created a new record and history in book sales. Mettha's poems include politics, literature and art. His poems has good ideas. Themes of his poetry have been taken in Tamil short stories, novels and movies. M. Mettha, who combined the old and the new in metaphors has used simple rhetoric, simple style, high imagination and thus captured the people’s hearts. He wrote many good short stories that express the sense of community. In the Golden Jubilee of Aanantha Vikatan (a Tamil language weekly magazine) his historical novel ‘Chola Nila’ won the prize in the competition. Despite working as a college professor, he is constantly engaged in writing too. Mettha's poems have the pride of making thousands of young poets to follow him, his poems concentrate on tapping the senses of readers, used simple rhetoric, natural style and its charm attracts the youth.