Azha Valliappa
Kuzhandai Kavignar Azha Valliappa | |
|---|---|
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| Native name | அழ. வள்ளியப்பா |
| Born | 7 November 1922 Rayavaram, Madras Presidency |
| Died | 16 March 1989 (aged 66) Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Notable works |
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Azha Valliappa or A. Valliyappa (7 November 1922 – 16 March 1989), popularly known as Kuzhandai Kavignar, was an Indian poet recognized for his contributions to children's literature in Tamil.[1][2][3]
Biography
[edit]Valliappa was born on 7 November 1922 in Rayavaram, Pudukkottai district (then part of Madras Presidency), to Alagappa Chettiar and Umaiyal Aachi.[4] At the age of five, he was adopted.[4] Valliappa attended S.K.T. Gandhi Primary School in Rayavaram and later studied at S.B.F. High School in Ramachandrapuram.[5] Financial constraints prevented him from pursuing higher education.[6]
In 1940, Valliappa began working as a cashier at the Sakthi newspaper in Madras.[7] His first published story was Aalukku Paathi.[6] In 1941, he left Sakthi to join Indian Bank, where he continued writing poetry and articles while fulfilling his professional responsibilities.[7]
Valliappa's first book, Malarum Ullam, was published in 1944. A decade later, in 1954, this work won both State and National Awards.[5] His book Nalla Nanban also received a State Award for children's literature.[5] In 1970, his work Pattile Gandhi earned him the National Award.[5] Additionally, his books Sinnanchiru Vayathil Periyar Vazhivil and Pillai Paruvathele were recognized with State Awards for their contributions to children's literature.[5]
In April 1950, Valliappa established the Kuzhandai Ezhuthalar Sangam (Children’s Writers’ Association) to promote reading habits among children and ensure the availability of reading material tailored for them.[8] Notably, this association was formed nine months before the establishment of a Tamil writers’ association.[9] He held various leadership roles within the organization, including secretary and president. From 1951 to 1954, he served as the editor of Pooncholai.[5] Throughout his career, he edited publications such as Baalar Malar, Damaaram, and Sangu.[5] He also edited Gokulam, a children’s magazine, from 1983 to 1987.[7]
Madurai Kamaraj University honoured Valliappa with the title Tamil Peravai Semmal in 1982 and granted him life membership in its Academic Council.[7] In the same year, a biography titled Children’s Poet Valliyappa by Dr. Poovannan was published.
Death
[edit]Valliappa died on 16 March 1989.[10] His birthday, 7 November, is celebrated annually as Children’s Literature Day.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ Symposium on Poetry India. Krishna Srinivas. 1973.
- ^ a b Bureau, The Hindu (2022-11-07). "Azha Valliappa dedicated his life to writing for children, says Regupathy". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Srinivasan, M.K. (1978). "An Appreciation of Al Valliappa". Indian Literature. 21 (4): 149–151. ISSN 0019-5804. JSTOR 24158235.
- ^ a b வெ.நீலகண்டன்,சொ.பாலசுப்ரமணியன் (2022-11-24). "குழந்தை இலக்கியத்துக்காக மலர்ந்த உள்ளம்!". https://www.vikatan.com/ (in Tamil). Retrieved 2025-01-09.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ^ a b c d e f g State), Madras (India; Bahadur.), B. S. Baliga (Rao (1957). Madras District Gazetteers: Pudukkottai. Superintendent, Government Press. p. 291.
- ^ a b M, Marimuthu. "Memorial Day Of Child Poet Azha Valliappa: இனிக்கும் பாடல்களைத் தந்த குழந்தைக் கவிஞர் அழ.வள்ளியப்பா நினைவுநாள்!". Tamil Hindustan Times (in Tamil). Retrieved 2025-01-09.
- ^ a b c d Correspondent, Vikatan (2016-11-07). "'தமிழகத்து நேரு மாமா' குழந்தைக் கவிஞர் அழ.வள்ளியப்பா!". https://www.vikatan.com/ (in Tamil). Retrieved 2025-01-09.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help); External link in|website= - ^ Hunt, Peter (2003-09-02). International Companion Encyclopedia of Children's Literature. Routledge. p. 803. ISBN 978-1-134-87993-9.
- ^ Krishnamachari, Suganthy (2017-11-02). "A children's writer". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
- ^ "இன்று அன்று | 1989 மார்ச் 16: குழந்தைக் கவிஞர் அழ.வள்ளியப்பா மறைந்த தினம்". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). 2015-03-16. Retrieved 2025-01-09.