Thiruvudaiyan

The meaning of the name ‘Thiruvudaiyan’ in Tamil is something that is pleasant, loving, and affectionate. It refers to someone’s ability to understand how others feel and connect with them. That is exactly the sort of person Thiruvudaiyan was. The Tamil folk singer has been connected with the masses for years, with his eloquent voice, mesmerizing tunes, and deep moving lyrics. Best remembered for lending his voice to movies such as “Mayilu,” " Madha Yaanai Koottam Click to look into! >> Read More... ," and 'Virumandi’- where he sang his famous song ‘Nethiyile Pottu Veyyi,’ he has become a prominent member in the music industry. But, just like many other great artists, he too had humble beginnings.

Thiruvudaiyan was born in the small town of Sankarankovil. He didn’t have an affluent background, which makes his success story all the more inspiring! His father Palanisamy was just a meagre saree border designer, who had to work extremely hard to provide for him and his family. However, he was the first person to recognize the young singer’s talent, and encouraged him to sing even while he was at work. As the years went by, Thiruvudaiyan’s family sadly couldn’t escape from their financial troubles and finally, he had to drop out of middle school. Nevertheless, that did not deter the passion and zeal the young boy had towards singing and continued working on refining his skills. He soon started singing devotional songs in temples in his locality.

The instrument he used as his accompaniment was a A stainless-steel plate! The genius of the boy took him far and wide. Soon, his plate was replaced by a ‘Tabla’. There are many recorded instances, where he moved his audiences to tears with his majestic voice and revolutionary music. He was a Marxist by philosophy and followed the ideology that everything was economical in the end and that the world runs on the spin of a dime.

He was affiliated with the Communist Party of India; a Marxist party formed at the Seventh Congress in Kolkata on 31st October 1964 and one which has steadily grown since. He worked in tandem with this party to promote how the masses were being oppressed and wanted to show “the toiling masses how to abolish the savage exploitation of Man towards his fellow men” (in his words). He even sang at many of the party’s rallies, meetings, and other social gatherings, garnering a plethora of audiences to watch him. Not only did this bring in a lot of new members to the party, but also helped make him famous among the locals. Soon, he turned out to be famous! One of his most memorable performances was in 1993, when he sang at the “Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers’ Association’s Kalai Iravu.

” The event was held at the ‘MDT Hindu College Higher Secondary School’ in the Tirunelveli district.. That day, he came on stage as an unknown singer and left as a hero. With his riveting voice, his fascinating lyrics, and enthralling performance skills, the singer’s talent is like an ocean; deep and almost never-ending... He has a family of 5, with two daughters currently in Grade 12, and his son pursuing Bachelor of Engineering. Unfortunately, the artist died last year towards the end of August, when his car rammed into a parked vehicle while on its way to Madurai. He was with his brother, who had to be hospitalized instantly, and eventually survived. Thiruvudaiyan was killed on the spot. Although he is not alive, the Maestro will never leave the hearts of his fans.