Ravi: A hidden poet

Andha iniya maalai pozhuthil,Poongothudan ennavalPasum purkalin meedhu paadham padhithapadiIdhazh oorap pesi enai imsithaal.Ovvoru Kadhal dhinathandrumKarkandai inikindrana ninaivugal...It is easy to overlook the talent of a person who we otherwise know well. Although the person is in a place or position where the talent is unneeded, it doesn’t keep them away from what they want to do.  Ravi, one of the housekeeping personnel in The New Indian Express is a prime example and what you read on top is a chunk from one of his poems.Ravi is so passionate about poetry, that he has written over 600 verses. “There are around 25 notebooks full of my scribbles at home,” smiles Ravi. But if you wonder what kept his pursuit alive all these years, it’s the appreciation letters he received from the ace poet and lyricist, Vairamuthu. “I sent him a felicitation note in the late 80s when he won the Filmfare Award as the best lyricist. Surprisingly, I got a reply which thanked me and had appreciated my poetry sense.” Ravi has three such replies from Vairamuthu that has the lyricist photo on top and his signature at the end. Ravi has written verses on a variety of topics including love, life, societal issues and current affairs. Interestingly, one can also find felicitation notes for both Karunanidhi and Jayalalitha in his poetry notebook, which were written when they took charge as Chief Minister of the state. He has sent his poems to many Tamil magazines, but without a fruitful result. This 45-year-old always wanted to enter the movie industry after he failed in Class 10, but ended up doing housekeeping jobs at different places.  However, because of his work ethic, Ravi has built up the good image in the office as well. “I was awarded the best house keeping personal, recently,” he says. Ravi has one daughter, who he says is more interested in drawing. He succeeds his wife who passed away in 2000.   Ravi, who has a huge collection of books by Vairamuthu, Mu Metha, Abdur Rahuman, Sujatha and Balakumaran. His dream? “I want to publish my poems. Can anyone help?”