Vaali (poet)

{{Short description|Indian artist, poet, lyricist, writer, actor (1931–2013)}}

{{about|the poet and lyricist||Vaali (disambiguation)}}

{{EngvarB|date=July 2013}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}

{{Infobox writer

| name = Vaali

| honorific_prefix = Padma Shri

| image = Vaali (poet).jpg

| imagesize =

| caption =

| birth_name = T. S. Rangarajan

| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1931|10|29}}

| birth_place = Srirangam, Tiruchirapalli district, Madras Presidency, British India

| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2013|07|18|1931|10|29}}

| death_place = Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

| occupation = {{Hlist | Artist | poet | lyricist | writer | actor}}

| period = 1958–2013

| spouse = {{marriage|Ramani Thilagam|1965|2009|reason=died}}

| children = 1

| parents =

}}

Tiruchirapalli Srinivasan Rangarajan, professionally credited by his pseudonym Vaali (29{{nbsp}}October 1931{{snd}}18{{nbsp}}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.{{cite news|author=B. Kolappan |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/lyricist-vaali-passes-away/article4927939.ece |title=Lyricist Vaali leaves a void |work=The Hindu|date=18 July 2013 |access-date=20 July 2013}}{{cite web|title=Tamil Cinema news {{!}} Tamil Movies {{!}} Cinema seithigal|url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2014/02/05231523/Cinema-History.html|website=Maalaimalar|access-date=25 September 2016}} 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.{{cite web | url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf | title=Padma Awards | publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India | date=2015 | access-date=21 July 2015}}

Biography

Vaali was born in an Tamil Iyengar brahmin family{{Cite web|date=2013-07-18|title=Tamil movie lyricist Vaali dead|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/345563/tamil-movie-lyricist-vaali-dead.html|access-date=2022-01-15|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}} 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.{{cite web|title=Tamil Cinema news {{!}} Tamil Movies {{!}} Cinema seithigal|url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2014/02/06232106/cinema-history.html|website=Maalaimalar|access-date=25 September 2016}} 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.{{cite news | url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/28/stories/2007012804620600.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629033131/http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/28/stories/2007012804620600.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=29 June 2007 | title=Elevan Padma awards announced for Tamil Nadu | work=The Hindu | date=28 January 2007 | access-date=14 June 2012}} He wrote songs for M. G. Ramachandran in 64 films and also for Sivaji Ganesan in 80 films.{{Citation needed |date=March 2024}} He has written more than 15000 songs in Tamil films.{{Cite news|title=Vaali, an Astute Lyricist Who Excelled in Adversity|work=The Wire|url=https://thewire.in/film/vaali-mgr-sivaji-karunanidhi}}

He died on 18 July 2013 in Chennai following respiratory illness, at the age of 82.{{cite web|title=Ode to late lyricist Vaali who transcended generations|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Ode-to-late-lyricist-Vaali-who-transcended-generations/2013/07/19/article1690627.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721035637/http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Ode-to-late-lyricist-Vaali-who-transcended-generations/2013/07/19/article1690627.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 July 2013|publisher=newindianexpress.com|access-date=25 September 2016}}

Awards

;Civilian honours

;Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

Vaali is a five-time winner of the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Lyricist{{cite book|last=Anandan|first=Film News|title=Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru (Tamil Film History and Its Achievements)|year=2004|publisher=Sivagami Publications|page=738}}

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
  • Enakkul M.G.R.

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Filmography

=As lyricist=

==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=

;Films

;Television

  • Kaialavu Manasu

=As writer=

=Television=

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

List of songs

class="wikitable sortable"

|+ List of Vaali songs

scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Film

! scope="col" | Songs

! scope="col" | Composer

1958Azhagarmalai Kalvan"Nilavum Tharaiyum"B. Gopalam
1965Aayirathil Oruvan{{Hlist | "Aadamal" | "Paruvam Enadhu" | "Unnai Naan" | "Yaen Endra"}}Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy
1966Anbe Vaaall songsM. S. Viswanathan
1968Oli Vilakkuall songsM. S. Viswanathan
1970En Annan"Kannukku Theriyadha"K. V. Mahadevan
1982Rangaall songsShankar-Ganesh
1983Poikkal Kudhiraiall songsM. S. Viswanathan
1985Udaya Geethamall songsIlayaraja
1987Ore Oru Gramathileyall songsIlayaraja
1988Sathyaaall songsIlayaraja
1988Agni Natchathiramall songsIlayaraja
1989Pudhu Pudhu Arthangalall songsIlayaraja
1990Anjaliall songsIlayaraja
1990Chatriyanall songsIlayaraja
1993Varavu Ettana Selavu Pathanaall songsIlayaraja
1993Maravanall songsDeva
1996Kadhal Desamall songsA.R. Rahman
2001Paarthale Paravasam{{Hlist | "Nee Than En" | "Adhisaya Thirumanam" | "moondrezhuthu" | "love check" | "Manmadha maasam"}}A. R. Rahman
2005Mumbai Expressall songsIlayaraja
2013Thillu Mullu"Kai Pesi"Yuvan Shankar Raja & MSV
2013Ethir Neechal"Ethir Neechal Adi"Anirudh Ravichandar
2014Ninaivil Nindravalall songsD. Imman
2014Yaan"Hey lamba"Harris Jayaraj
2014Pannaiyarum Padminiyum{{Hlist | "Onakkaga Poranthaenae" | "Pesuraen Pesuraen" | "Enakkaaga Poranthaayae"}}Justin Prabhakaran

References

{{Reflist}}