A. Maruthakasi (13 February 1920 – 29 November 1989) was an Indian poet and film lyricist who wrote mainly in the Tamil language. He penned more than 4000 lyrics in more than 250 Tamil films.
Early life Born in Melakudikadu in Tiruchirappalli district on 13 February 1920 to Ayyamperumal Udayar and Milagayi Ammal, he had his primary education in the local village school. He received his higher education at Government College, Kumbakonam.
After college, he wrote lyrics for the dramas staged by Devi Nadaga Sabha and for Mandirikumari, a drama written by M. Karunanidhi. He also wrote lyrics for the drama company owned by Ka. Mu. Sheriff. The songs for the dramas were composed by Thiruchi Loganathan. Later, he joined as an assistant Rajagopala Iyer, brother of Papanasam Sivan.
Career In 1949, Modern Theatres was producing a Tamil film. G. Ramanathan was the composer. During the song recording rehearsals, Thiruchi Loganathan sang a song penned by Maruthakasi. Producer T. R. Sundaram appreciated the meaning of the lyrics and gave a chance to Maruthakasi in the film. Pen Enum Maayap Peyaam... Poi Maadharai Yen Manam Naadumo is the first film lyric penned by Maruthakasi and the film Mayavathi released in 1949.
Since then he has written more than 4000 lyrics for more than 250 Tamil films. He had the ability to write lyrics to an already set tune. As such, he has penned lyrics for many films dubbed from other language films.
When Modern Theatres decided to produce Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum in 1956, T. R. Sundaram decided to use the same tunes set for the Hindi film of the same name. Udumalai Narayana Kavi was called to write the lyrics. But he declined saying that he will write lyrics for fresh tunes and recommended Maruthakasi. Maruthakasi wrote 9 songs for the set tunes.
One of his greatest hits, Neelavanna Kanna Vaadaa from the film (Mangaiyar Thilakam was first assigned to Kannadasan. But film-maker L. V. Prasad was not impressed by that song. He asked Maruthakasi to write the song and it became a big hit.
During the earlier decades of Tamil films, songs were written as per old Tamil literature. Maruthakasi is a foremost lyricist who started writing lyrics that could be understood by the common man.
Many of his lyrics have taken root in the hearts of audience. Neelavanna Kanna Vaadaa (Mangaiyar Thilakam – 1955) Sathiyame Latchiyamaayi Kollada (Neelamalai Thirudan – 1957) Mullai Malar Mele (Uthama Puthiran – 1958) Yer Munaikku Ner Inge Edhuvumeyille (Pillai Kani Amudhu – 1958) Sirippu Idhan Sirappai (Raja Rani – 1956)
are some of his songs that still remain evergreen among Tamil film music lovers.
Personal life He married Dhanakodi Ammal in 1940. The couple had 6 sons and 3 daughters.
He encouraged young persons who were looking for a career in Tamil films. When Vaali was looking for opportunities in the early sixties, he was given a chance to write a song for the film Nallavan Vazhvan. The recording of the song was being postponed several times for various reasons. The producers thought the 'omen' was not good and asked Maruthakasi to write a song. Maruthakasi read Vaali's lyrics and told the producer that it is an excellent song and told the producer to record Vaali's song. The song was a hit. When Modern Theatres in Salem produced Paasavalai in 1956, they invited Maruthakasi to write the lyrics. But Maruthakasi was busy in Chennai. He recommended Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram for writing the lyrics. In 1954 he recommended T. M. Soundararajan as a playback singer for the film Thookku Thookki to music director G. Ramanathan. T. M. Soundararajan went on to become a legend in Tamil film music.
After 1960s most of the producers sought Kannadasan as lyricist for their films. Maruthakasi did not get much opportunities. He tried to produce films but sustained losses so he returned to his village. M. G. Ramachandran called him back to Chennai and made him to write lyrics for all films produced by Devar Films. Maruthakasi wrote lyrics for films produced by K. S. Gopalakrishnan.
Works His works have been made public by the State government of Tamil Nadu.
As a Lyricist
The following list is incomplete. +YearFilmSongsMusic1955Mangaiyar ThilakamBaakkiyavathi Naan Baakkiyavathi Nee Varavillaiyenil Aadharavedhu
Neela Vanna Kanna Vaada
Purindhu Kollavillai Innum
Unmai Anbu Endrum Anaindhidaadha TheebamSusarla Dakshinamurthi1956Alibabavum 40 ThirudargalumAll songsSusarla Dakshinamurthi1956Raja RaniSirippu Idhan Sirappai Sollaale Veenaanadhe
Thirai Pottu NaameT. R. Pappa1957Makkalai Petra MagarasiManapaarai Maadu Katti Sonna Pechcha Kekkanum
Vandhadhu Yaarunu
Makkalai Petra Maharasi
Seemaikku Poi Padichchavaru
Senthazham Poovai Poi
Ondru Serndha AnbuK. V. Mahadevan1957Neelamalai ThirudanKonjum Mozhi Penngalukku Sathiyame Latchiyamai
Ullam Kollai
Kannalam" (Onnukku Rendatchi)K. V. Mahadevan1957Bagyavathi"Pombalainga Therinju Kollanum" "Ellorum Unnai Nallavan Endre"
"Dhinasari En Vaazhvil Thirunaale"
"Vaazhvedhu Nal Vaazhvedhu"
"Kannale Vettadhe Summaa Kannale Vettadhe"
"Paruvam Malarndhu Asaindhu Aadum"
"Asai Kiliye Azhagu Chilaiye" S. Dakshinamurthi1958Thai Pirandhal Vazhi PirakkumThai Pirantha Vazhi Pirakkum Sollattuma Sollattuma
Nerangketta Nerathile...Nenachathu Onnu
Pollaathor SoozhchiK. V. Mahadevan1958Uthama PuthiranMuthe Pavalame Mullai Malar Mele
Anbe AmudheyG. Ramanathan1958Petra Maganai Vitra AnnaiThendral Urangiya Podhum Kannaalan Vandhiduvaar
Petra Maganai Vitra Annai
Mamma Mamma PannaadaiViswanathan–Ramamoorthy1958Pillai KaniyamudhuAll songs (except "Seevi Mudichukiddu Singaaram" and "Kaakkaaikkum Kaakkaaikum")K. V. Mahadevan1958SarangadharaAll songs (except Yaedhukkithanai Modi Than)G. Ramanathan1959VannakiliAll songsK. V. Mahadevan1959Vaazha Vaitha DeivamK. V. Mahadevan1960Padikkadha MedhaiAadi Pizhaithaalum Paadi Pizhaithaalum Inba Malargal Poothu
Seevi Mudichu Singarichu
Pakkathile Kanni Penn
Vindhaiyinum Periya VindhaiyadiK. V. Mahadevan1960Mannathi MannanAadadha Manamum Undo Aadum Mayile Azhagu Mayile
Engalin RaniViswanathan–Ramamoorthy1960Paavai VilakkuAll songsK. V. Mahadevan1961Sabaash MapillaiAll songsK. V. Mahadevan1963Lava KusaAll songsK. V. Mahadevan1967VivasaayeeEnnama Singara Kadavul Ennum
VivasayeeK. V. Mahadevan1975Ninaithadhai MudippavanKannai Nambathey Poomazhai Thoovi Vasantham (Short version)M. S. Viswanathan1977PalabisheghamAll songsShankar–Ganesh
Death He died on 29 November 1989.
References
External links Maruthakasi Lyrics Maruthakasi Songs (in Tamil) by Vamanan Centenary of lyricist Maruthakasi ignored