Poet and public speaker Nandalala no more; Stalin condoles death

Renowned Tamil poet and public speaker Nandalala passes away at 69, leaving behind a legacy in Tamil literature.

Tamil poet, writer, and public speaker Nandalala, passed away on Tuesday (March 4, 2025) due to health complications. He was 69.

Admitted to a private hospital in Bengaluru in late January for heart surgery, he underwent valve replacement surgery on February 1 and remained under medical care. Despite treatment, he passed away on Tuesday morning at the hospital. Nandalala leaves behind his wife and two daughters.

Neduncheliyan Singaravelu, known widely by his pen name ‘Nandalala,’ was born in Pudukkottai’s Kunnandarkoil. A retired bank employee, Nandalala was deeply involved in the literary and cultural circuit in Tiruchi and elsewhere. He served as the state vice-president of the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers’ and Artists’ Association and was a general council member of the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram. A distinguished public speaker, he was renowned for his contributions to popularising Tamil literature. His recently published book, ‘Tiruchirappalli: Oorum Varalarum’, is a significant work documenting the region’s history.

Nandalala’s mortal remains will be brought to his residence in Tiruchi and kept for public homage on Wednesday. The final rites will be performed on March 6, family members said.

In his condolence message, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said Nandalala was very talented and expressed his sentiments and thoughts effectively. He participated regularly in discussions in book fairs and other fora. His affinity to his native place, Tiruchi, was evident in Tiruchirappalli: Oorum Varalaru, he said.

The Chief Minister said it was with the intention of ensuring that Nandalala’s thoughts benefited Tamil society that he was made a general council member of the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram.

“Nandalala had great respect for Periyar [social reformer Periyar E.V. Ramasamy] and Anna [former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai], and great affection for Kalaignar [former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi],” Mr. Stalin said.