Veteran Tamil lyricist Vaali passes away in Chennai

July 18, 2013 18:49

Lyricist Vaali, one of the veterans of the Tamil film industry, breathed his last today evening after a prolonged period of illness and hospitalisation in Chennai. He was 82, and is survived by his son.

Vaali, who composed songs for Tamil films at a time when Kannadasan strode the stage like a colossus, managed to more than hold his own.

In fact, a lot of former Tamil Nadu chief minister MG Ramachandran's film success -- which paved the way for his political brilliance -- can be traced to Vaali's memorable songs. But that did not prevent him for churning out equally memorable lyrics for thespian Sivaji Ganesan or even the younger-day heroes.

Vaali, born S Rangarajan in Tiruchi, was an arts college student as well an amateur theatre director. Landing in Chennai in search of offers to write lyrics for Tamil films, and after a period of struggle, found his groove.

In Tamil film industry, where titles are de rigueur, Vaali was titled the Vaaliba Kavignar (youthful poet).

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