In the film Kappalottiya Tamizhan, when the judge inquires the character Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi on his profession, the revolutionary poet says ‘Namakku Thozhil Kavithai’ (My profession is writing poetry).
In the film Kappalottiya Tamizhan, when the judge inquires the character Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi on his profession, the revolutionary poet says ‘Namakku Thozhil Kavithai’ (My profession is writing poetry). Bharathi’s reply to the judge is an irony, as one cannot eke out a living by writing poetry. However, the great bard’s answer implied his passion for verse. But here was a poet, whose 'profession' was not only writing verse but roping in numerous budding poets, providing them a platform to present their verse and publish their works in anthologies every year.
‘Kovai’ Gokulan, secretary of the city-based Vasantha Vasal Kavi Mandram, who passed away last week, has regularly conducted the organization’s monthly ‘Kaviarangams’ (Poetry reading sessions) ever since the literary movement was founded on August 23, 1996. He also brought out several poetry anthologies, consisting of verses penned by various poets across the state.
Vasantha Vasal Kavimandram which was founded by the late poet Ponparappi of Coimbatore brought several nondescript poets to light. Many would be surprised to know that Tamil lyricist Pa.Vijay would often attend the Kaviarangams at Vasantha Vasal Kavimandram and read out his verse days before he carved a niche for himself in the dream factory.
However, Gokulan once said that he had not claimed this credit until Pa.Vijay himself recollected his early days at Vasantha Vasal Kavimandram in the presence of Kovai Gokulan in a literary meeting recently held in Chennai.
“When Vasantha Vasal Kavimandram published its first anthology of poems in 2005, it contained the verses of only 90 poets. But the one came out in 2013, consists of poems by 450 poets” Gokulan said once.
On his interest in publishing the works of budding and nondescript poets, Gokulan also said:
“It was the dream of Tamil revolutionary poet Pavendar Bharathidasan to bring every Tamil poet to light. When I think that I have been on the mission to convert Pavendar’s dream into reality, I feel the immense pleasure that one can hardly obtain in other services”
As Gokulan was interested in bringing out the poems of only new and nondescript writers, he did not think of getting his literary works published. However, lauding Gokulan's selfless service, a friend of his brought out his collection of short stories in 2008 on the title Vidiyal. The book was released in Puducherry by M.O.H.F Shajahan, the then Education Minister of the union territory.
Kovai Gokulan, whose education qualification is an intermediate, wrote plays and poetry only for a brief stint during his student days. After that, he had little time for literature, as he had to look after his business of manufacturing steel furniture and wet grinders in the city.
“But at the age of 50, I found solace in writing verse after my 17-year-old son met a watery grave in Kovai Coutrallam”
Years ago, the poet recalled this painful memory.
For Gokulan, poetry was the medicine that healed all his spiritual wounds. He walked hand in hand with poetry and had to halt at a point forever in the journey last week.