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Revision as of 05:27, 10 January 2025 by Chris the speller (talk | contribs) (cap, punct)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) Tamil children's literature poet (1922–1989)| Kuzhandai Kavignar Azha Valliappa | |
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| Native name | அழ. வள்ளியப்பா |
| Born | (1922-11-07)7 November 1922 Rayavaram, Madras Presidency |
| Died | 16 March 1989(1989-03-16) (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.
Biography
Valliappa was born on 7 November 1922 in Rayavaram, Pudukkottai district (then part of Madras Presidency), to Alagappa Chettiar and Umaiyal Aachi. At the age of five, he was adopted. Valliappa attended S.K.T. Gandhi Primary School in Rayavaram and later studied at S.B.F. High School in Ramachandrapuram. Financial constraints prevented him from pursuing higher education.
In 1940, Valliappa began working as a cashier at the Sakthi newspaper in Madras. His first published story was Aalukku Paathi. In 1941, he left Sakthi to join Indian Bank, where he continued writing poetry and articles while fulfilling his professional responsibilities.
Valliappa's first book, Malarum Ullam, was published in 1944. A decade later, in 1954, this work won both State and National Awards. His book Nalla Nanban also received a State Award for children's literature. In 1970, his work Pattile Gandhi earned him the National Award. Additionally, his books Sinnanchiru Vayathil Periyar Vazhivil and Pillai Paruvathele were recognized with State Awards for their contributions to children's literature.
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. Notably, this association was formed nine months before the establishment of a Tamil writers’ association. He held various leadership roles within the organization, including secretary and president. From 1951 to 1954, he served as the editor of Pooncholai. Throughout his career, he edited publications such as Baalar Malar, Damaaram, and Sangu. He also edited Gokulam, a children’s magazine, from 1983 to 1987.
Madurai Kamaraj University honoured Valliappa with the title Tamil Peravai Semmal in 1982 and granted him life membership in its academic council. In the same year, a biography titled Children’s Poet Valliyappa by Dr. Poovannan was published.
Death
Valliappa died on 16 March 1989. His birthday, 7 November, is celebrated annually as Children’s Literature Day.
References
- Symposium on Poetry India. Krishna Srinivas. 1973.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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= - ^ State), Madras (India; Bahadur.), B. S. Baliga (Rao (1957). Madras District Gazetteers: Pudukkottai. Superintendent, Government Press. p. 291.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.