Tens of thousands of Tamils know Metha's voice and words. The popular Tamil poet has given readings around the world especially whereever Tamils have a culture forum intended to reach the main land art and literature.
A master performer, he has presented poems and speeches, composed film lyrics, contributed articles and stories for magazines, and has to his credit an impressive list of publications which include more than 15 volumes of poetry, most of them best sellers. His collections include Kanneer Pookkal, Oorvalam, Avarkal Varukirarkal, and Manithanai Thedi. His writings include short stories, novels, and occasional writings on topical matters. His stint as a film lyricist and script writer has also made him a popular literary personality.
Born in Periakulam a small town in central Tamilnadu, he was educated in Madurai. After eventful college days at Thiagaraja College, Madurai, he joined as a college lecturer. During the last three decades he has emerged as an eminent poet and has to his roll of honours many awards of merit including State awards for poetry. Bharathidasan award, and Kalaimamani award.
R. Balachandran-Bala who has translated the poems of Metha is a well known academic, poet, literary journalist and also a long time friend of the poet. He presently teaches in Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli.
Mu. Metha (pronounced as 'Mehta'), one of the most prolific modern Tamil poets, is well known as a front-runner in the field. He dabbled with versification as a schoolboy, was recognized as a studious and talented poet during his college days and quickly made his mark as a remarkable poet well before he turned thirty. Today he has an envious record of publications - more than 30 titles, most of them poetry collections.
Metha, is an individualist by disposition, and a big achiever in terms of results. His entry into Tamil poetry scene was quite momentous. It was during the seventies, when the nation celebrated its Silver Jubilee of Independence, he took the Tamil poetry world into a storm by publishing his remarkable poem "A Street Poet's Homage to the Father of the Nation".
Your portraits are taken in processions.
Why do you stand in street squares head down?.
On this auspicious day.
As we attempt to add colour to the faded nation.
Your lament for the sons and daughters of this land fall on my ears.
O, Father of the Nation,.
Whenever I cast my eyes on your statues.
-they are abodes of peace-.
I break down and in the heat of my tears My poems end abruptly. The poem became one of the most quoted, much anthologized and much discussed piece. Metha was immediately recognized as a path- maker and a poet of immense potentials. The public acclaim crystallized into a celebration with the publication of his first volume of poems entitled, Kanneer Pookkal.
During 1970's Metha became one of the founder poets of Vanambadi Movement, which ushered in a new trend in the choice of form and themes especially a palatable blend of romanticism and realism. The movement's poetry magazine Vanambadi included powerful poems of social concern dressed in new and contemporary idiom. The poets chose the best in the past and preferred the modern that was not distasteful. Though Metha feels that his best poems were not published in the magazine, his many contributions like An Interview with Footwear, Lever Poem and Vazhai contributed to the popularity of both the movement and the magazine. He emerged as one of the major voices of the group, and his first collection of poems, Kanneer Pookkal (Flowers of tears) was issued in 1973 and there upon his poetry career was greeted with recognitions galore from all quarters. (The fact that 21 reprints have so far been issued speaks for the immense popularity of the book). With more than 15 titles of poetry collections, Metha continues to enjoy the sunshine of popular acclaim for his writings.
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