As days go by, I realise that Poet Kannadhasan is not only my idol, he also is my role model. More philosophical than religious Kannadhasan lived life to the fullest enjoying all that was deemed a sin. The phrase Wine, Women, Song (madhu, maadhu, paattu) fits him to the tee.

Persian ghazalist Hafez describes paradise as, "Two sweethearts, two flasks of old wine, a book of verse and a cosy corner in the garden."

Kannadhasan describes God: பூஜ்ஜியத்துகுள்ளே ஒரு ராஜ்ஜியத்தை ஆண்டு கொண்டு புரியாமலே இருப்பான் ஒருவன், அவ்னைப் புரிந்து கொண்டால் அவன்தான் இறைவன்!

"He rules the kingdom of emptiness, and remains incomprehensible. If you can comprehend Him, you will realise God."

Go figure!

Born today 24 June in 1927, Kannadhasan breathed his last while attending a Tamil conference in Chicago, at the young age of 54.

In his own words, I am permanent and will not expire under any circumstances."