Tiruchirapalli Srinivasan Rangarajan, professionally credited by his pseudonym Vaali (29 October 1931 – 18 July 2013) was an Indian poet who has the record for writing the most songs in Tamil cinema. He is also recognised for a five-decade long association in the Tamil film industry and has written over 15,000 songs.[1][2] He acted in a number of films, including Sathya, Hey Ram, Paarthale Paravasam and Poikkal Kudhirai. He was honoured by the Government of India with the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honour in 2007.[3]

Padma Shri

Vaali
BornT. S. Rangarajan
(1931-10-29)29 October 1931
Srirangam, Tiruchirapalli district, Madras Presidency, British India
Died18 July 2013(2013-07-18) (aged 81)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation
  • Artist
  • poet
  • lyricist
  • writer
  • actor
Period1958–2013
Spouse
Ramani Thilagam
(m. 1965; died 2009)
Children1

Biography

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Vaali was born in an Iyengar brahmin family[4] as T. S. Rangarajan on 29 October 1931 to Srinivasan Iyengar and Ponnammal Iyengar. His native place is Thirupparaithurai, Tiruchirappalli district. Growing up, he studied at Higher Secondary School for Boys, Srirangam, Srirangam till he finished his SSLC. He went to Madras in 1950 seeking an opportunity in the Tamil film industry.[5] In the 1960s and 1970s, he received patronage from actor M. G. Ramachandran and became a successful lyricist, in competition with poet Kannadasan, which he had chronicled in his autobiography Naanum Indha Nootrandum. Vaali has also authored other books such as Avathara Purushan, Pandavar Bhoomi, Ramanuja Kaviyam, Krishna Vijayam, Thamizh Kadavul, Kalaignar Kaviyam, Krishna Bhakthan and Vaaliba vaali. His song "Amma Endru Azhaikatha Uyir Illaiye" is carved in the stone in a temple in Trichy.[6] He wrote songs for M. G. Ramachandran in 64 films and also for Sivaji Ganesan in 80 films.[citation needed] He has written more than 15000 songs in Tamil films.[7]

He died on 18 July 2013 in Chennai following respiratory illness, at the age of 82.[8]

Awards

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Civilian honours
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

Vaali is a five-time winner of the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Lyricist[9]

Books

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  • Amma – 1976
  • Avathara Purushan – 1995
  • Naanum Indha Nootrandum
  • Pandavar Bhoomi
  • Ramanuja Kaviyam
  • Krishna Vijayam
  • Thamizh Kadavul
  • Kalaignar Kaviyam
  • Krishna Bhakthan
  • Vaaliba vaali
  • Poikkal kuthiraikal
  • Nija Govintham
  • Azagiya Singers
  • Pennin Perundhakka Yavula
  • Bhagavad Geethai
  • Ninaivu Nadakkal

Filmography

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As lyricist

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1950s–1970s

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1980s

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1990s

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2000s

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2010s

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As actor

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Films
Television
  • Kaialavu Manasu

As writer

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Television

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  • 1997 Kaialavau Manasu
  • 2003 Vikaramadhithan
  • 2003 Imsai Arasigal
  • 2008 Thangamana Purushan
  • 2012 Amudha Oru Aacharyakuri

List of songs

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List of Vaali songs
Year Film Songs Composer
1958 Azhagarmalai Kalvan "Nilavum Tharaiyum" B. Gopalam
1965 Aayirathil Oruvan
  • "Aadamal"
  • "Paruvam Enadhu"
  • "Unnai Naan"
  • "Yaen Endra"
Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy
1966 Anbe Vaa all songs M. S. Viswanathan
1968 Oli Vilakku all songs M. S. Viswanathan
1970 En Annan "Kannukku Theriyadha" K. V. Mahadevan
1982 Ranga all songs Shankar-Ganesh
1983 Poikkal Kudhirai all songs M. S. Viswanathan
1985 Udaya Geetham all songs Ilayaraja
1987 Ore Oru Gramathiley all songs Ilayaraja
1988 Sathyaa all songs Ilayaraja
1988 Agni Natchathiram all songs Ilayaraja
1989 Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal all songs Ilayaraja
1990 Anjali all songs Ilayaraja
1990 Chatriyan all songs Ilayaraja
1993 Varavu Ettana Selavu Pathana all songs Ilayaraja
1993 Maravan all songs Deva
1996 Kadhal Desam all songs A.R. Rahman
2001 Paarthale Paravasam
  • "Nee Than En"
  • "Adhisaya Thirumanam"
  • "moondrezhuthu"
  • "love check"
  • "Manmadha maasam"
A. R. Rahman
2005 Mumbai Express all songs Ilayaraja
2013 Thillu Mullu "Kai Pesi" Yuvan Shankar Raja & MSV
2013 Ethir Neechal "Ethir Neechal Adi" Anirudh Ravichandar
2014 Ninaivil Nindraval all songs D. Imman
2014 Yaan "Hey lamba" Harris Jayaraj
2014 Pannaiyarum Padminiyum
  • "Onakkaga Poranthaenae"
  • "Pesuraen Pesuraen"
  • "Enakkaaga Poranthaayae"
Justin Prabhakaran

References

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  1. ^ B. Kolappan (18 July 2013). "Lyricist Vaali leaves a void". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  2. ^ "Tamil Cinema news | Tamil Movies | Cinema seithigal". Maalaimalar. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  3. ^ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  4. ^ "Tamil movie lyricist Vaali dead". Deccan Herald. 18 July 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Tamil Cinema news | Tamil Movies | Cinema seithigal". Maalaimalar. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  6. ^ a b "Elevan Padma awards announced for Tamil Nadu". The Hindu. 28 January 2007. Archived from the original on 29 June 2007. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  7. ^ "Vaali, an Astute Lyricist Who Excelled in Adversity". The Wire.
  8. ^ "Ode to late lyricist Vaali who transcended generations". newindianexpress.com. Archived from the original on 21 July 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  9. ^ Anandan, Film News (2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru (Tamil Film History and Its Achievements). Sivagami Publications. p. 738.
  10. ^ "kalki magazine 1980-04-06". 6 April 1980. Retrieved 21 April 2023 – via Internet Archive.
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