Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Another distinction in an illustrious literary career

Her book on the teachings of Allah was published by Islamic Foundation Trust.

Soundara Kailasam

Soundara Kailasam is a popular poet whose literary works include essays and short stories. Her latest book `Yellai Illa Arulalaa' — on the teachings of Allah — has been published by the Islamic Foundation Trust. She is the first non-Muslim woman poet to have her work published by the Foundation. The poet turned 80 on Saturday. Soundara Kailasam talked to S.R.Ashok Kumar about her works and way of life.

Soundara Kailasam is the wife of former Supreme Court judge P.S. Kailasam. She comes from a family of socially conscious people who have not only worked towards the betterment of society in general but have also been closely associated with the freedom struggle.

She is the granddaughter of Rathnasabapathi Gounder, who was the backbone of the Thiruchengode Gandhi Ashram, founded by Rajaji and formally opened by Periyar E.V. Ramasamy Naicker.

Soundara Kailasam has consciously spurned politics even though an offer came her way when she was barely 25. "I was asked, by Kamaraj, to contest the elections to the Kabila Malai constituency in Salem district." But, that fell through.

Soundara Kailasam married at the age of 15. Each of her three daughters and son is popular in his or her own right — Vimala Ramalingam is a paediatrician, Nalini Chidambaram, Senior Advocate, Padmini Sivasubramanian, an agriculturist and Sadayavel Kailasam, an orthopaedic surgeon.

She has written poems on life' s numerous facets. "For me, poems are a way of expressing myself." Till date, she has brought out 13 poetry collections and three books, including a storybook. "It all started with my contributions to the `Samarasam' magazine. I wrote poems on Allah and his teachings. Friends appreciated my poems and publishers wanted to bring out a book of my poems. I was reluctant to give it to a non-Muslim publisher. I also wanted a Muslim poet to write the foreword. When the Islamic foundation Trust, Chennai, came forward to publish the book, I was happy. Poet Mu.Metha wrote the foreword."

The Trust has published 185 books till now. This is the first book on poetry written by a non-Muslim woman that the Trust has brought out.

Ms. Kailasam has held various positions in several government as well as non-governmental organisations, including senatorship of the Madras, Annamalai and Tanjore Tamil Universities. She was awarded the Asan Prize for poetry in 1989.

The Tamil Nadu Government awarded her a prize money of Rs.10,000 on the occasion of Bharathidasan's centenary celebrations. She was also awarded Rs.10,000 by the Islamic literary conference at Kilakkarai in 1990. She is also the recipient of the the Alwar Miyam's MGR award along with a prize money of Rs.25,000.

For the past few years, she has confined herself to religious and literary meetings. "I am eighty years old but still feel the urge to read more. For me, books are a source of knowledge."

Her advice to youngsters — read books and assimilate knowledge.

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