KAVIGNAR (TAMIL POET) VAALI
KAVIGNAR (TAMIL POET) VAALI
(வாலிப கவிஞர் வாலி)
(29 October 1931-18 July 2013)
Vaali Sir (T.S.RANGARAJAN) – born in Srirangam, Trichy, Tamil Nadu
- was a great legendary Tamil-poet-cum-lyricist with a gift of the gab and pen, who had
to his credit more than 15000 film songs and a host of other literary works,
He was a contemporary of Kannadasan. His songs were thought-provoking, conscience-stirring,
awareness-generating and highly inspiring. Yes, with his departure, a great saga of an
eventful career of a distinguished lyricist spanning more than five decades has come to an end.
The poetic circles, and the literary and tinsel worlds have become poorer by his
passing. Transcending barriers including generations, he had offered
something for everyone belonging to both old and new generations to remember and
cherish forever.
Vaali made his humble beginning, as is the wont with every writer, with a devotional song on Lord Muruga ‘Karpanai Endralum Karchilai Endralum….. sung by TMS over AIR, which became a hit and proved to be a trail blazer for both the poet and the singer. Since then, there was no looking back for both.
Any tribute to him will not be
complete unless there is a mention of his long association with the matinee of
his times, M.G.R., who had a special place for Vaali Sir in his heart with the
latter having penned many dazzling songs that stole the hearts of millions of
Tamil-speaking people and further endeared the charismatic hero and crowd
puller of those days to the people in general and his fans in particular. He
had penned thousands of ever-green songs for other films and stars too, especially another renowned and celebrated actor 'Nadigar Thilakam' (Gem Actor) Sivaji Ganesan.
A legend goes that Vaali at one point of his lifetime was contemplating the extreme step due to poverty-driven dejection. But when he heard the lines of the song 'Mayakkama Kalakkamma' from the movie ‘SUMAI THAANGHI’ penned by his illustrious compatriot Kannadasan, he dropped the idea and got himself energized to live a wholesome life. In particular, the lines “Unakkum keezhe ullavar kodi ninaithu paarthu nimmadhi naadu.... (remember and get solace in the fact that there are crores of people below you in status) changed his mind to live a full life and thus was born this outstanding poet-lyricist par excellence as we know him today. Vaali had not only written lyrics in pure Tamil, but presented slang-mixed numbers too for all folks - hip-hop, rhythm and blues included, for a cross-section of new generations as well. He had also mixed other languages in Tamil songs. He had sharp artistic acumen in the power-play of words while speaking and writing.
God has snatched away from our midst a spirited spontaneous thinker and a poet bubbling with scholarly ideas who wrote many songs including philosophical numbers that are still spirit-lifters. His songs have immortalized him.
Government of India honoured him with Padma Sri award in 2007. He had also received many Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.
He had written some books as well.
People affectionately called him ‘VAALIBA KAVIGNAR’ (Youth Poet).
Though his departure has caused a big vacuum hard to fill, his
immortal songs already available in digital modes and soft forms will continue to permeate the
air, spread their fragrance, and transport music lovers and movie-song followers especially old-timers into nostalgia, and the new generation(s) to a peak of ecstasy.
R.SAMPATH
18/7/2013
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