Tiruchirapalli Srinivasan Rangarajan, professionally credited by his pseudonym Vaali (born 29 October 1931 – 18 July 2013) was an Indian poet who is the highest songs wrote lyricist in cinema and whose works were in Tamil, had a five-decade long association with the Tamil film industry, wrote 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
Born	T. S. Rangarajan (1931-10-29)29 October 1931 Srirangam, Tiruchirapalli district, Madras Presidency, British India
Died	18 July 2013(2013-07-18) (aged 81) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation	Artist, Poet, Lyricist, Writer, Actor
Period	1958–2014
Spouse	Ramani Thilagam ​ ​ (m. 1965; died 2009)​
Children	1 (Son)
Parents	Father : Srinivasan Mother : Ponnammal

Biography

Vaali was born in a 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 the 1950 seeking an opportunity in 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 63 films and also for Sivaji Ganesan in 70 films. 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

Civilian honours

• Padmashri in 2007[6]

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

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

• 1970 – Engal Thangamm
• 1979 – Ivargal Vidhyasamanavargal
• 1989 – Varusham Padhinaaru and Apoorva Sagodharargal
• 1990 – Keladi Kanmani
• 2008 – Dasavathaaram

Books

• 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

As Lyricist

2010s

2000s

1990s

1980s

1950s–1970s

As Actor

Films

• 2002 – Kadhal Virus (Tamil)
• 2001 – Paarthale Paravasam (Tamil)
• 2000 – Hey Ram (Tamil)
• 1988 – Sathya (Tamil)
• 1983 – Poikkal Kudhirai (Tamil)

Television

• Kaialavu Manasu

As Writer

• 1974 – Kaliyuga Kannan
• 1979 – Kadavul Amaitha Medai – Screenplay, Dialogues
• 1983 – Magudi
• 1987 – Ore Oru Gramathile
• 1988 – En Thamizh En Makkal
• 1990 – Pengal Veettin Kangal (dialogues only)

Television

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

List of songs

References

External links

• Vaali at IMDb