Tamil poet Nandalala passes away

Trichy: Noted Tamil poet and writer Nandalala, 69, passed away on Tuesday at a hospital in Bengaluru where he was undergoing treatment for heart ailment. He served as one of the vice-presidents of Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association, and as general body member of Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram functioning under the state art and culture department.
Nandalala was born as Nendunchezhiyan in Kunnandar Koil in Pudukottai district. He assumed the pseudonym Nandalala to write poems. Employed in Indian Bank, he was associated with the association for about 40 years. He had been an active motivational speaker at book fairs conducted by the state govt in all district headquarters to promote book reading among youth and children. As a debater, he along with his fellow speaker Madukkur Ramalingam was part of Dindigul I Leoni's pattimandram programmes, which were recorded as audio cassettes that cast a spell on a generation of youths in the nineties.
Nandalala and a group of writers published ‘Solaikuyil', a Tamil literary magazine, which gave a platform to many popular poets of today such as Manushyaputhran. He was pivotal in conducting Vallalar 200 and Vaikom 100 events, said association general secretary Aadhavan Dheetchanya. He compiled a book ‘Nadanthai Vaazhi Tiruchirappalli', recording lesser-known history of Trichy and historical events conducted in the district. He penned a book ‘Tiruchirappalli-Oorum Varalaaru', another book on history and personalities who emerged from Trichy.
Minister for Tamil development, information, and publicity M P Saminathan, MPs Durai Vaiko, Su Venkatesan, and D Ravikumar condoled Nandalala's demise. The funeral will be conducted at Nandalala's residence at Karumandapam on Wednesday.