Queen of Poetry

How did a girl who had studied only up to ninth standard in High school gain fame and name as a prolific writer and a popular poet? How did an innocent girl from an agricultural family metamorphose into an eloquent orator who enthralled the audience by her literary discourses?
The credit goes to her husband-Late Justice P.S.Kailasam and her father Sundara Gounder.
Tmt.Soundara was born in a village by name Chettipalaiyam which is near Karur, in the banks of River Amaravathi.She was the eldest daughter of Thiru.C.S.Sundara Gounder and Tmt.Kaliammal.Her maternal grandfather Thiru.Rethnasabapathy gounder was a close associate of Rajaji.When Rajaji founded Gandhi Ashram in Pudhuppalaiyam near Thiruchengode it was Rethnasabapathy Gounder who gave the land for that ashram. PERIYAR E.V.R., who was the President of Tamilnadu Congress Committee at that time, opened the ashram.
Mahatma Gandhi, Kasthurbai Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and other prominent leaders of Freedom Movement have visited the ashram. Soundara’s mother Tmt.Kaliyammal was a close friend of Rajaji’s daughter Tmt.Lakshmi Devadas Gandhi.They had woven a Khadhi Sari, which adored Tmt.Kaliyammal as her marriage dress.
The affiliation to national movement and association with great leaders of the freedom movement of her grandparents built up a strong national outlook
In the mind of Soundara.Her father Sundara Gounder taught her poems from Periyapuranam, Thevaram, Silappadhikaram and Manimekalai.This added a deep love of Tamil Language and literature.
At her 14th year she got wedded to Thiru.P.S.Kailasam an advocate who practiced under the guidance of V.L.Ethiraj.Thiru Kailasam encouraged Soundara’s literary activities. She used to attend many literary meetings held in Pachaiyappa’s college. The students requested her to act as a Judge in an oratorical competetion. She was compelled to give a lecture on that occasion and her maiden speech enthralled the audience.
By the encouragement given by her Husband Thiru.Kailasam and appreciation from Tamil scholars, she spoke in many functions and gained international acclaim as one of the best orators in Tamil.Her literary discourses throughout the world are a monumental evidence. Tamil Diaspora in U.S., U.K., Mauritius, Malaysia, Singapore and Srilanka many times invited her to give lectures in Tamil literature.
She deserves a special place among contemporary poets. Her deep involvement in devotion and strong love towards our motherland are well-expressed ion her poems. She is praised as a ‘Twentieth century Avvaiyaar.’
She had participated in thousands of poetic symposia. Her presentation will be unique with perfect pronunciation, clear accents and lively intonations with a fine sense of humor.