Journey of ManMaanuda Yaaththirai An Epic Grandeur by Professor V.C.Ku andais!

a"y #Pen$na"e% Ku oththun&an

Tamil is one of the longest surviving classical languages in the world. It has been described as "the only language of contemporary India which is recognizably continuous with a classical past. by a renowned Indologist Kamil Zvelebil. George .!art" an illustrious scholar of #ans$rit and Tamil and %meritus &rofessor at 'niversity of (alifornia confirms with substantiating evidences that Tamil is having "one of the richest literatures in the world. The variety and )uality of classical Tamil literature has led to its being described as "one of the great classical traditions and literatures of the world". *ith this introduction about Tamil language" we wish to introduce a Tamil poet" whose pen+name is Kuloththungan. The personality behind the penname Kuloththungan is a multifaceted genius. ,r.-.(.Kulandaiswamy is an %ducationist" .dministrator" %ngineer" writer" /rator" poet and a free lance 0ournalist. *e $now eonardo da -inci 12345+24267 the Italian painter" sculptor" architect" musician" engineer and scientist. 8obody can deny the fact that he is a supreme e9ample of :enaissance genius &oet Kuloththungan may be described without any hesitation as a eonardo da -inci of India. Kuloththungan is an e9traordinary poet" who has ta$en poetry for the e9pression of his concern over growing social problems and ventilation of his rage over the hypocrites who pretend to do social service. !is mightier pen is producing thought+provo$ing poems for the past si9 decades. .s an engineer he has proven his genius by developing a model in !ydrology studies $nown in his name as Kulandaiswamy model. .s an educationist he has been celebrated as a ;Great (ommonwealth %ducationist< and he is a !onorary =ellow of the (ommonwealth of earning. .s an administrator he had adorned the posts of -ice+chancellorship at .nna 'niversity 126>2+266?7" @adurai Kamara0 'niversity 126A>+26A67 and Indira Gandhi 8ational /pen 'niversity 1266?+266637.!e may rightly be described as the .rchitect of .nna 'niversity in its formative years and made it as the citadel of #pecialized Technical education. .s a writer he had been awarded ;#ahitya .cademy award.126>>7. &oet Kuloththungan" a myriad talented genius" insists through his poems the supremacy of @an. !uman energy is the source of all $inds of energies in the universe" according to Kuloththungan. @an" a paragon of living beings in this globe" has no comparison. Kuloththungan sings in all praise for man and assures us that @an is the supreme power in the universe. 2

There<s no species $nown so far that towers above the species human" we must found a world on earth where men in flesh would rise to be divine. *ithout $nowing his potentialities man is highly depressed in the false hope that there is a supreme power. The lazy man" who always dreams that miracles may happen anytime to favor him with fortunes" never cares to do anything for the betterment of man$ind and develops illusions and superstitions which only induce divisions among man$ind. Kuloththungan clearly e9pressesB CDDDDDDDDthere is 8o heaven in the 'niverse The abode of Gods .fter all our own mind. The poet never delves deep in romanticism" but enlightens his readers with an aim to motivate the present generation in a more pragmatic way. !umans are an evolving species . refined form of life on earth DDDDDDDDDDDD. (ountless are the produce Eielded by the tiller<s toilF !uman society too$ many strides and massive assets were created. The late lamented leader Gawaharlal 8ehru" who is undoubtedly the architect of modern India" was a prolific writer and elo)uent orator. !e had contributed many thought+ provo$ing writings. !e declared that science and technology alone will redeem the poor Indian from all his evils and salvation can not be e9pected from anywhere else. In Kuloththungan also we see another Gawaharlal 8ehru. #cience and Technology holds &otential unboundedF !andled with lofty intent and deftness" It can con)uer the breadth and depth of oceans" It can triumph over the mountain pea$s" Irt can ma$e winning e9peditions in the s$ies" It can gain access to nature<s wealth" It can lead into more realms of $nowledge" Then human mind can open upF .nd set up on the earth . heaven of its own @an will then verily be God. !ere the voice of an internationally renowned %ngineer as well as a uni)ue !ydrologist is e9pressed through a progressive poet. Kuloththungan<s poems may rightly be described as CThe fusion of #cience and literature for the progress of man$ind. C Gender biased attitudes in wor$ing places and se9ual assault on women angers Kuloththungan and he as$sB

.re our womenfol$ sinnersH #hould their misery remain interminableH !is outburst is e9pressed in multiple )uestions which ma$e everyone to realise the mista$es committed by the ;male ego< for many centuries. Is not your mother a womanH .re not your sisters elder and younger and your loving daughter too of the species of womenH #hould there be impediments =or these divine souls To find parity of standing with menH1.re our *omenfol$ sinners+ .n 'nending .scent7 Kuloththungan can not be underestimated as one among the poets who pay lip+service to the emancipation of woman. !e respects and reveres womanhood and he is in all praise for it in all his poems. *omanhood is the spring in sand whence wells up freshness perennially" *omanhood is the garden of flowers wherein blossom a million beauties" *omanhood is the perfected whole with every part embodying. .1It is *omanhood all purveying+.n 'nending .scent7 This is not praise for catching a bigger vote+ban$" as Kuloththungan is not a politician. !e $nows the value of the womanhood and he assesses the important role played by the womanhood in a befitting manner. It is the womanhood with its Ilossoming smile through the ages that has swayed the minds of the poets" that has formed the fount of every art" that goes deep to touch oneJs #oul itself and fascinates.1It is *omanhood all purveying+.n 'nending .scent7 The poet adopts a pragmatic approach to the social problems. #ocial 0ustice is given the first and foremost place in his poems. .s an educationist" he has done his best to achieve social 0ustice in educational institutions whenever and wherever possible. !is poems reflect his inner mind. #ocial 0ustice is a sacred river . sanctified ambrosial fount that nourishes the soil all throJ its course :ooted itJs in the pursuit of cultivating and harvesting human resource in its entirety.18o ,esert 8o =allow + .n 'nending .scent7 .mong the poets of contemporary India" Kuloththungan has a uni)ue place" as he is a

myriad talented artist+scientist. !e uses poetry as a medium to e9press his social concern. To him poetry is the vehicle of powerful feelings and provo$ing reflections on societal set+up. !e considers poetry as a mode of discourse with his fellow+citizens. !e not only records his feedbac$ on what is happening but also suggests what should happen. *hen there are plenty of poets who pretend to be prophets" he communicates louder thin$ing through his poems with a desire to get a feedbac$. !e neither tries to instruct nor desires to impress the readers. !is aim is to discuss the present situation with an intention to analyze it ob0ectively. Kuloththungan never stooped to populist gimmic$s to attract a wider range of audience. .s a result his poems possess a wide range of theory discussions and problem+analysis and appear to be theses in verse. !is poems appeal to the head and not to heart. :ich Intellectual appeal and lac$ of emotional appeal may seem as a defect in the process of communication. Iut that is what &eriyar %.-.:. adopted in his lectures and writings. ,id he not succeed in changing the mindset of peopleH In fact Kuloththungan is a sincere follower of &eriyar in all aspects. Iconoclasticity" deconstructing age+old myths and condemning the hypocrisy of men in all wal$s of form the main themes of his poems. /ne among the national leaders of India" &eriyar" was an emancipator who fought throughout his life against the atrocities committed in the name of religion" against the oppressive measures that carried on perpetration on our brothers and sisters who are labeled as ,alits and marginalized in the societal setup for many centuries.Kuloththungan as an ardent follower of &eriyar" through his poems convey the ideology of &eriyar in a fine form and successfully motivates the readers successfully. KuloththunganJs poems dream for a brighter futureF the dreams are not romantic fantasies but realistic layouts for a stronger 8ation and a unified world.

About his epic &randeur' Journey of Man $Maanuda

Yaaththirai

This is an introduction about his epic grandeur in Tamil titled ;@aanuda Eaaththirai< which means ;Gourney of @an< a masterpiece of our age which should be celebrated by the whole man$ind. *hy should the entire man$ind celebrate this wor$ and the poetH I will give you some information which every lover of &oetry should $now. This wor$ is being translated in %nglish and the %nglish translation of this epic will be available soon through mar$et. Iefore that I wish to introduce this epic. The translations of some selected passages" )uoted in this article" are by an acclaimed scholar ,r.@aruthanayagam. The first part of @aanuda Eaaththirai begins with an invocation to the 8ature. #topford Iroo$e observes in his study of C8aturalism in %nglish &oetryB There are two great sub0ects of poetryF the natural world. . .and human nature. *hen poetry is best" most healthy" most herself" she mingles together human nature and 8ature. and the love of each.. /ur poet" Kulandaisamy admires and adores 8ature in the beginning of this epic itself through his Invocation to 8ature. Eou highly honoured thing" you !ave been happily conferring

:iches on the see$ers" who search .nd search" you" the whole that !olds a crore of stars shining In the space immenseF you have (onfined within the atom the whole /f shakthi which e9ceeds the senses" *hich e9cels the mind boundlessF 1Gourney of @an+IB 2.linesF 2+227

#topford Iroo$e clearly statesB C!uman nature is first in poetry and 8ature second but they must be togethert" if the poetry is to be great and passionate" simple and perceptive" imaginative and tender. Kulothungan mingles human nature and 8ature together in all his poems and he follows the same trend in his Invocation to 8ature. Eou have created a universe (onfined within a human beingF Eou have placed countless planets .nd stars dancing in the space imitless and never deviating a bit =rom the rhythm of the path assignedF The world besides human Ieings live a life flourishingF / mother dear" let there bloom !armony so that peace may bud. 1Gourney of @an+IB3"4.7 Kulothungan always combines facts with his uni)ue perception thereby ma$ing the fusion of science and poetry a successful one. *hen he tells *hen we thin$ of the vastness /f the universe" we realize man Is small in sizeF 1Gourney of @an+IB L7 !e highlights the fact to emphasize the humbleness of man. .s a scientist he contrasts the vastness of the universe with the smallness of man. =eeding facts may appease our thirst for $nowledge but they never help to motivate the man or mould his personality. #witching from the role of scientist Kulothungan plays the role of the poet immediately in the ne9t linesB DDDDDDDF but is he not Iig in dreaming dreams immenseH< 1Gourney of @an+IB L7 Iefore the vastness of the universe man is small in size. Iut because of the dreams of man" he gained more $nowledge of the universe. !e dreamt of new discovery of planets which accelerated his e9ploration of the universe. The poet continuesB *ho has found out the fence for The e9panding cosmos of the desire /f man$ind to grow in mind Iigger than all the biggest hereH 1Gourney of @an+IB A7

The desire of man$ind" according to the poet" is the e9panding cosmos. *hat the poet suggests is clearly e9plicit. Iefore the vastness of the universe man may be smallF If his dreams are big and he strives to translate dreams into realities 1if his e9ploration gains success7 the universe may become small. This $ind of motivation ma$es the poem more appealing with an aim" to $indle the urge to achieve something" to activate the latent potentialities of the readers" to be more and more useful to the society. =rom time immemorial such $inds of activism had resulted in inventions of new instrumenst"tools and instruments. .ccording to the poet" language is such an invention. @an e9pressed his emotions through sounds and by a gradual process of the evolution of his e9pressions he invented language" a wonderful instrument which accelerated the process of civilization and culture. Iy bodily movements and gestures !e began to e9press his emotionsF having ived li$e that" by slow steps delayed .nd on bended $nees he could reach The bigger stage of e9pressing his %motions through sounds made and Then invented the instrument called anguage" the ladder to move forward. 1Gourney of @an+IB 22" 257 Iy 0ust his eight lines of poem the poet is able to narrate the history of language in a lucid style and lovable manner. The poet enlists the other inventions our forefathers invented for the progress of man$ind. !e found what he called educationF !e found what is $nown as wealth" *hich even the gods desire to &ossessF he went oh to secure all the riches. 1Gourney of @an+IB 547 The inventions"< %ducation< and ;*ealth< helped the man$ind to march forward in the path of civilization and climb the highest zeniths. The invention of ;.griculture<" according to the poet" converted the world into a field. 1Gourney of @an+IB 5L7.s per the poet" human life is shrouded with mystery and man is a puzzle. !is constant endeavor to probe the mysteries culminated in a broader understanding of the 'niverse and the invention of new theories and more and more disciplines in advanced research. The poet hails marriage as a wonderful social institution. ove" the driving force behind marriage is more superior to God" he tells. There is none that has seen .nything that surpasses loveF There is no God that has witnessed . virtue that transcends love. 1Gourney of @an+IB AA7

The poet with due consideration to arts and aesthetics praises music" If even Ishwar who is hailed .s God by the whole world stands &ermeating the universe as music *ho would have seen an e)ual to thisH In a land mar$ed by softness Ieauty" splendour of rhythm and The divine bliss of music" there is 8othing that is considered as lac$ing. 1Gourney of @an+IB 657 .s the &art+I of the epic Gourney of @an is titled as ;#ocietyM &olitics< the poet e9tensively deals with the evolution of society" social institutions and modes of governance in a historical perspective. *e are always reminded that it is a historical epic" as the poet adopts brevity as the soul of wit. =acts are mingled with poetic techni)ues always adorned by rhythm and cadence whenever and where ever needed. The poet describes the evolution of monarchy and how the $ings varied in their administration and governance. !e enlists famous poets of ancient India and (hine admiring their scholarship and contribution. The poet" with an ailing heart" describes the wars that lead to mass destruction. !e reminds the horror of crusades which remains as a blac$ spot in the history of man$ind. The (rusades were religious conflicts during the !igh @iddle .ges through the end of the ate @iddle .ges" conducted under the sanction of the atin (atholic (hurch. &ope 'rban II proclaimed the first crusade in 2?64 with the ;goal of restoring (hristian access to the holy places in and near Gerusalem.< It is not my aim to elaborate the further si9 ma0or (rusades against @uslim territories in the east. *hile some historians see the (rusades as part of a purely defensive war against the e9pansion of Islam in the near east" many see them as part of long+running conflicts at the frontiers of %urope" including the .rabNIyzantine *ars. It is no wonder" to see our &oet" belonging to this twenty+first century shedding tears and voicing protest against the conduct of the (rusaders. The (rusaders pillaged the countries in transit" living off the land" as did all transiting armies of the time. The =irst (rusade resulted in the massacre of >"??? Gews in the :hineland in the first of %uropeJs pogroms. It also resulted in the slaughter of a purported A?"??? citizens in the fall of Gerusalem. =or the sa$e of Gerusalem The old city" in the war that asted for three centuries" Total victory being elusive" Those who died" those who were defeated" Those who fell on the way" those who Iehaved li$e brutes because of religious .nimosity that was worst than poison (onstituted a saga causing a blot

/n religion" which to remove" the =lood =inal brimming with waters and waves" /h dear" will not be enough at all.1I+2A5+2A37 The poet while narrating the history of man$ind sheds tears and pays homage to the departed souls who lost their lives massacred by cruel warriors and war+craze @onarchs. This empathy and sympathy e9pressed in a poetic form mar$s the distinction of the poet from the historians. . historian while narrating historical se)uences will never feel sorry for the past events. Iut the poet who is a dedicated humanist can not avoid the e9pression of sympathy. Eet another tragic episode in the history of man$ind" which ma$es the poet lament over" is the atrocity of the @ongol ruler (hengiz Khan in the thirteenth century. (ities were burnt and razed and O It seemed as though the lord of death !ad made his cruel marchF there O is one more story terrifying to tell. The city of Iaghdad in the .rab 8ation where science arts and earning had bloomed and reached Their pea$ of glory was by @ongols #urroundedF 1I+2>6+26?7 The poet recollects the historical tragedy and weeps in his inner heart for the gruesome mass+murder done by a cruel tyrant. !e recollects the merciless massacre and ma$es us to weep for the brutal butchering of millions of people. . . . . . . .. .. . . . .. F there is no language That can e9press the horror of The deed done by the armyF .bout fifteen la$hs of people *ere $illed and their bodies !eapedF Ihagdad became That day a rubbish dumpF what @an$ind too$ a long time to foster . great culture" was wiped out *ithout a traceF who will spea$ of The wailing of the civilization That stood having lost its eyesH1I+262+26K7 .s the first part of the epic is on &olitics and religion" the poet had e9plained in detail how politics and religion dominated the lives of human beings the world over. !e tries to bring to the readers< attention the periodic conflicts between the monarchs" the religious heads and the selfless leaders. !e describes in detail the struggle for democracy which was an arduous tas$. 8oble+minded revolutionaries and thin$ers who guided the people in the path to attain democracy were compelled by the selfish rulers to shed blood" court imprisonment and sacrifice life. The path to attain democracy was never an easy tas$.

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In the path replete with thorns" Iushes" pits and mounds and /ther stumbling bloc$s" people" *ith grit and determination 'nderta$ing a long time 0ourney *al$ed for several days" in /rder to see$ the shade of a fort *hich is $nown as democracy.1I+556+5K?7 The poet narrates the history of human$ind in an interesting manner" $eeping the continuity of the epic in tune with the chronology of significant developments in all fields. !e describes the civilizations in the east particularly India" (hina" %gypt and &ersia with due consideration to their contribution to the man$ind.!e continues to narrate the advent of new scientific theories and inventions in the west.The voyages conducted by the adventurers and the e9peditions and discovery of .merica are well e9plained by the poet. *hile the poet e9presses his pleasure for the progress in the various fields of science and technology" he can not control his anguish while he narrates the =irst *orld *ar. *e are always reminded by the poet that we are reading a historic epic which depicts the history of human$ind in a uni)ue manner where we find the fusion of poetry and facts. Gust to cite an e9ample I wish to )uote the poet<s reflection on the =irst *orld *ar. The =irst *orld *ar lasted =or about four years" those *ho were blind+hearted floated @an$ind on a river of blood.1I+KK37 %vil begets evil and war leads to another war. The world witnessed the #econd *orld *ar due to the arrogance of =ascist and 8azist demons. Tyrants turned blood suc$ers and with the help of science and technology. The poet<s grief continuesB The writhing painful cry of !umanity can be heard even .fter the $aliyuga has passed The mighty won the war and @an$ind" oh dear wailed bitterly. 1I+K36+K4?7 &oetic 0ustice needs an amicable solution to the dastardly war and a pleasurable end to the calamity. The policy of 8on+violence propagated by Gandhi from India naturally comes as a panacea for all social evils and a sure remedy to the chaos caused by the war+ mongering countries. /nly if a new path blossoms out /f the splendor of the ideology /f Gandhi" the saint who preached 8on+violence" will the world live. 1G.@.&artI+KL27 The first part of the epic ;Gourney of @an< ends with a positive note about the promising future.

B The second part of the epic ;Gourney of @an< titled as ;#cience< consists of Thirty+seven chapters. In this part of the epic he narrates the history of science through vibrant verses in a lucid style. I have never heard of an epic depicting the history of science and the dedicated pursuits of the scientists who were the unsung heroes for a long time and glorified in a befitting manner by our poet Kulandaiswamy. This part starts with an invocation to truth. Truth is the ultimate goal that every scientist wishes to reachF to attain and understand it every scientist performs arduous tas$s" undergoes many trials and tribulations. Truth is the almighty which every one wishes to worship. It is the un)uenched thirst for Truth which pushes every scientist to perform many e9periments which may sometimes be dangerous for their lives. %very scientist considers the attainment of Truth as the salvation of life. In this conte9t" the invocation to Truth by scientist+&oet Kulandaiswamy is more meaningful and magnificent. Eou a thing incomparable found In the brightness of the brightP The #upreme Ieing that declares *ith 0oy that the world is realP1II+27 Truth alone drives away many illusions and fantasies which ail our minds and obstruct the society in the 0ourney towards progress. Truth gives us boundless 0oy. It produces energy and induces inventions for the welfare of man$ind. The poet addresses Truth as followsB Eou" fountainhead of deathless beautyP %mbryo of energyP *e" who search for you" in many many thousands of ways and means Iow down with great respect.1II+L7 In the first chapter of the second part" the poet stresses the need for a dedicated and continuous endeavor to find out the secrets of 8ature. a consistent and meticulous search can alone open a new vista to .understand the 'niverse. ,iamond and coal will be available only to those who wor$ hard to dig a mine and are prepared to search in the deep. *henever man determines to wor$ hard he will surely reap the benefits. *e are indebted to our forefathers who dedicated their lives by such hard wor$s for the inventions of many instruments which ushered in a cultured and civilized life. The poet hails the invention of plough which was essential for agriculture and through this invention man$ind found the way to harvest a powerful way to drive away hunger. et us sing the glory of the life /f this wonderful instrument The plough that is still e9tantF et us honor tradition and change.1II+347 The poet hails the achievements of the scientists for their inventions of new instruments and devices to ma$e the human life more and more pleasurable. !e describes scientists as ;#ages engaged in research<. .ccording to the poet previously sages engaged in penance to attain divine power. They were considered possessing divine power and thought they performed miracles. Iut the scientific inventions gave many new benefits which

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everyone can en0oy crossing the barriers of religion and race. #cience provided not only amenities for a cozy life but also made us fight diseases. The average age of man increased as the eradication of endemic and epidemic diseases was achieved by the invention of new drugs and vaccines. @an was able to achieve longevity and a hundred years of life had become a common sight. /f all the instruments" the poet declares" human mind is a wonderful instrument which has no comparison in the whole 'niverse. The power to see$ the smallest of the small and The greatest of the great =ar beyond is the wealth !uman mind is endowed withF 8o instrument possesses that sacred property. @an<s mind is a thing marvelous That transcends magic and wonder.1II+>5">K7 The poet describes the plights and perils undergone by the scientists"who dedicated their whole lives in their efforts of path+brea$ing inventions. This #cientist+&oet has done a marvelous achievement in giving this epic depicting the contribution done by the scientists in a wonderful way In no other language we can see scientists li$e Galileo"@arconi":obert!oo$e"Isaac8ewton" ouisde Iraglie" #chrodinger" @a9 Iern" (opernicus" !erschel" Kelper" Iruno" ,alton" .vogadro" Games *att" Goule" !elmholtz" @a9well" -olta" (oulomb" %dison" =araday" Ien0amin =ran$lin" Gilbert" !ertz" :oentgen" ,arwin" @endel" #chlaciden" #chwann" @c eod" !arvey" Ioyle":eamer"!alier"&avlov" ouis &asteur being glorified as epic heroes by a poet. The horrible torture e9perienced by Iruno" 0ust because he proclaimed his belief in the heliocentric theory of the universe at the hands of the religious fundamentalists find a significant place in this epic. It ma$es the readers shed tears as well understand the sacrifices undergone by the scientists and path+brea$ers for the welfare of the humanity. C ight a fire and set him ablaze The great man stood firm li$e . bull" was burnt to death" and (reated history for glory itself.1II.2L37 *hen we read the torture e9perienced by Galileo we are moved very much. CThe artist whom generations of men Glorify bowing down their heads Today and do so tomorrow too *as then called God<s enemy by fools. 1II+2637 C,uring the last days he lived in ,ar$ness and his eyes that searched The s$y crossing a long long distance *ere damaged and lost their luster. 1II+26L7 Generation after generation epics were composed on Gods".ngels"Kings and :ulers"but nobody came forward to sing the glory of scientists who are the real martyrs"as they sacrificed their lives for the progress of man$ind.Kulandaiswamy laments over this indifferent attitude of poets and as a poet he ventilates his agony over thisB

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*e haven<t brought out epics (omposed by bards or poems That sings the lives of divine @artyrs who were burnt to death.1II+5?47 The poet is determined to sing the glory of scientists who toil ceaselessly through their e9periments and analysis to bring forth many new innovations and inventions. I will sing the glory of menF I will sing the glory of the holy @en who wor$ day in and day out =or the progress of the world" and To create a state in which the race /f man lives without any grievance (rossing all the hurdles and achieves .ll its needs overwhelminglyP1II+5K4+5KL7 The third part of the epic is titled as C#piritualism and :eligion. It deals with the ma0or religions of the world and the prominent philosophical systems of the world. The sections or divisions of this third part illustrate the essence of !induism" Islam" (hristianity"Gudaisn"Iudhdhism"Gainism"(onfucinism"#aiva#idhdhanthaa"-edantaa" @aterialism"#an$hyaa"8yaayaa"-aiseshi$a"Eogaa"@imaamsaa".dhvaithaa"-isishtaaidva idhaa",hvaithaa and asceticism. The poet is affiliated to :ationalism and always stands neutral and non+committal in his approaches. !umanism is his religion and service to man$ind alone can be considered as his religious practice. .s a result he analyses all the ma0or religions in an ob0ective manner. This third part is more than 4?Q of this epic and it contains 2234 verses of the total 5255 verses of it. It shows the vast $nowledge of the poet and how a voracious reader he is. The poet has a wider $nowledge of the ma0or religions of the world and he has neither affiliation nor hatred to any particular religion. .ny reader of this epic will gain an e9tensive $nowledge of spirituality and religion as the poet has done a wonderful 0ob in narrating their essence in this part of the epic. .fter a thorough study and deep understanding of all the ma0or religions he has endeavored to introduce them" discuss their approaches to human life and accomplished his target in emphasizing the role of humanism as a substitute of other religions. There is no religion superior to humanism There is no trait that stands outside /f the sacred thing called decorous conduct The scripture of faith we hold dear is .n abode of bliss is this world *hich 8ature has gifted into humanity .nd human life is a boon covetedF .nd will ma$e a !eaven of this earth.1III+2233+22347

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et the whole world appreciate this @asterpiece

5?2K is the 2??th year anniversary of the 262K 8obel &rize in iterature to :abindranath Tagore.I can not understand why for the past hundred years Indian literature is ignored by 8obel award committee. .fter Tagore" India had seen many illustrious men of letters who had not only contributed to Indian literature but also had produced masterpieces of international standard and uni)ue e9cellence. =or a very long time none had gained the attention of the 8obel award committee. 8ow the time has come to consider this significant award to a noteworthy poet striving his every nerve to elevate the man$ind to a superior place. In Kulandaiswamy we see an apostle of humanism spreading the message of mutual love and peaceful co+e9istence. uring the readers by praying lip service to lofty ideals was never his practice" :ight from his entry as a poet he always adopted a pragmatic approach while highlighting the ma9ims to be adopted in the contemporary society to usher in an egalitarian society. The epic CGourney of @an 1 Maanuda Yaaththirai ) is a rare breed of its $ind. *e have not seen and we can not see such an epic dedicated to the whole man$ind envisaging a massive victory in its struggle to overcome the hurdles and triumph over the hazards in its path. %very poet maintains hisRher territorial integrity" patriotism and cultural nationalism in spite of the humanistic a0enda.In Kulandaiswamy alone we see a poet purely cosmopolitan and truly universal. #hunning the ethnocentric pride Kulandaiswamy sings the glory of man. !e never indulges in praising the mercy of Gods. *e surely have scientific literature in all languagesF but this epic is a literature on science. %very language has its own history of iterature. Iut this boo$ is a literature on !istory. %pics usually e9hibit imaginative s$ills of the poets. !ere we have got an epic which will surely educate us the whole history of man$ind narrated ob0ectively and impartially This epic CGourney of @an< if translated in all the languages and read will surely inspire every reader to initiate the 0ourney of man$ind towards a golden era of .peace and amity. #e)uences and settings in this epic do not emerge from the poet<s imagination. They are events that occurred in the history. !ere in this epic man is the superheroF man is the villainF men are minor as well as ma0or charactersF some men perform miraclesF some other men commit crimesF miracles are performed to induce many miracles in the futureF reasoning and rational in)uisition are the causes and base for the miraclesF selfishness and ignorance remain as the source for the crimes committed generation after generation. &aradise is gained by wise and righteous persons who cherish humanism and strive for the uplift of societyF !ell is created by men who practice religious fundamentalism and by people who always indulge in atrocities destroying social institutions. God and #atan reside in the minds of menF saviors and crusaders are born again and againF *ar+mongers" ,espots and Tyrants act as #atans.!eaven and !ell are e9perienced by them. The history of man$ind reveals the fact that man can ma$e a !eaven in this world itself. *hile @ilton says that when the mind in its own place" it can ma$e a !ell of !eaven or a !eaven of !ell" the poet differs from him. &oet Kuloththungan" as a scientist

2K

emphasizes in)uisition" innovation and e9peditionF as a humanist he re)uests everyone to offer mutual respect and adopt a self+less devotion for common causeF as a moralist insists dedication to duty and adopting lofty ideals. 8oble thin$ing and tireless service can surely create a !eaven in this world. Towards such a !eaven we are moving forward. The poet assuresB CGods don<t come down to earthF Gods don<t give their divine appearanceF et us become .ngels by living *ith our bodies a life divine.1III+2?237 .t the same time with his pragmatic approach he thin$s it can not be achieved suddenly. *e will accept we may not achieve It todayF but we won<t accept it is ImpossibeF we may not win todayF Tomorrow we willF we will never fail. 1III+2?K67 . complete epic based on the whole history of man$ind is narrated in a wonderful wayF avoiding bombastic style and archaic usages. !e has used choice words and lively similes. 'niversality in theme and impartiality in approach add allure to this epic. It is the epic of this Twenty+first century voicing an appeal for the advent of a borderless world. .ll the artificial walls created by man are shattered and thrown away by the poet. !ere by his epic the poet has produced a *orld classic. #ince from the attempt of Goethe there were several attempts and definitions to establish what a world literature meant.. The Communist Manifesto" was published simultaneously in many languages and several locations. It. was supposed to inaugurate a new type of world literature. #ome scholars thought Manifesto as a world literature as it succeeded in becoming one of the most influential te9ts of the twentieth century. #ome scholars are of the opinion that international distribution alone is not a sufficient condition for attributing wor$s to world literature. The decisive factor is the influence of the respective wor$ on the development of human$ind and science in general" and on the development of literature1s7 of the world in particular. If published in all ma0or languages this epic will gain the name as The Humanist Manifesto. It will powerfully propagate the voice of the #eers and #aints If 8obel &rize is not awarded to this priceless treasure of e9alted thoughts then to which oneH

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