Documentary on Tamil poet Nandalala released

The literary and social contribution of Tamil poet, writer and public speaker Nandalala, was recalled with much fondness during the premiere of Paayum Oli Nee Enakku (You are My Beaming Light), a biographical documentary that was released in Tiruchi on Saturday.

The release, hosted by Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers’ and Artists’ Association, and the cultural organisations Vaanam and Kalam, was inaugurated by Minister for Municipal Administration K.N. Nehru. The first copy of the film was received by Mayor M. Anbazhagan.

Neduncheliyan Singaravelu, known widely by his pen name ‘Nandalala,’ was born in Pudukkottai’s Kunnandarkoil. A retired bank employee, Nandalala was deeply involved in the literary and cultural circuit in Tiruchi.

The 40-minute documentary, directed by Mark Rathinaraj, features interviews with 14 friends and well-wishers of Nandalala and was put together over a period of seven months, Bharathi, the late writer’s daughter, told The Hindu.

“A few years ago, we planned to make a video series for his book Tiruchirappalli: Oorum Varalarum, but somehow, the project got stalled after a few episodes. This time, we decided that Appa’s legacy had to be commemorated and preserved properly for future generations,” said Ms. Bharathi.

The documentary will be available online.

Poets Madhukkur Ramalingam, Muthunilavan and writer Adhavan Dheetchanya, spoke.