Another Rangarajan, also from Sri Rangam, is Sujatha the trend setter in modern Tamil Story writing was my friend..
Once when I was talking to Sujatha, I told him that though I like Vaali’s songs i Prefer Kannadasan for Kannadasan’s Tamil flowed naturally; in the case of Valli though they are excellent , to me, the word s seemed to be forced and researched, like Milton’s as compared to Shakespeare.
Sujatha seems to have told Vaali of this and Vaali had replied,
‘ I would like to meet him, many times I felt that way’
Such was his down to earth attitude and large hardheartedness that he was a man who recognized and nurtured young poets and lyricists.
In fact towards the closing years of his Life these young poets used to visit him regularly.
I have been meaning to write on valli for quite some time, as I have done for Kannadasan.
It seems that I tend to write Obituaries, much to my regret, thanks to my laziness.
Poet, Lyricist, Actor,.Litterateur , Theist, Atheist,Humane,Orthodox, Ultra modern , that is Vaali.
Even a die hard fan of Kannadasan would(Like me) would at times find it difficult to identify the songs, whether they are Kannadasa’s or vaali’s.
Example’madhavi Ponmayilaal Thohai Virithaal’
I have been under the impression that it was penned by Kannadasan.
I came to know much later it was by Vaali.
It seeems that Kannadasan was preoccupied and as the the song was urgently needed, it was decide to use Vaali.
It is a known fact that Sivaji Ganesan preferred Kannadasan for his films.
It seems, that after the recording was over the cassette was sent to Sivaji for his comments.
Sivaji Ganesan did not seem to have replied and returned the Cassette after listening to the producer.
Next day Sivaji Gansan rang up Kannadasan and told him to hear the song and informed him that he could not believe it was written by some body other than Kannadasan!
Kannadasan heard the song and congratulated Vaali.
Vaali had respect and admiration for Valali as it was Kannadasn’s song ‘Mayakkama, Kalakkama’ in Sumai thangi that made the dejected Valli who was returning to Srirangam after having failed to get a chance in films,return to Chennai and become a famous lyricist..
Vaali has remarked that Kannadasn had created a competitor for himself by his song.
Kannadasan replied that let Tamil win.
An orthodox Brahmin with normal vices, was close to Karunanidhi.
The famous TMS song, Karpanai Enraalum Karchilaui enraalum on Lord Muruga was written by Vaali.
For those who know and enjoy good Tamil, I am posting some of good songs, there are plenty of muck s well -Vaali has remarked that he is a Super Market, people can buy anything from him.
Kavignar Valli’s Responses t0 Cartoonist,Wrter ,TV programme Presenter was forth right and at times very fearless.
Vaali and Karunanidhi.
When asked about the the unique characteristics of the Legends of Tamil Movies,Sivaji Ganesan and MGR, Valli stated that while MGR, when the Lunch/Dinner time is well past,would invite the person an make sure that he eats, Sivaji will simply walk away stating that it was time for food and go about his way.
On Gemini Ganesan , another Legend,Valli states that he had informed Gemini Ganesan over drinks that Gemini should have been called ‘Brothel Mannan’ rather than ‘Kaadal Mannan‘( King of Love) and if some one explains his / her finanicial difficulties at length, Gemini might part with Ten Rupees!
On being asked as to how he is still as busy as ever, Valli stated that it is a question of Demad and Supply and he is able to meet the demand.
He was fotrh right in saying that he is not promoting Tamil by his film songs and that he is a trader and is in the business of making money.
And Tamil is providing him food.
Tamil Lyricist,Poet Vaali Rangarajan
How refreshing!
May be Karunanidhi should take a leaf out of Vaali.
On his eulogizing Karunanidhi to the point of being labelled as a sycophant Valaali stated that Karunanidhi supports Tamil and Tamil Literature and he ( Vaali) is not concerned with his ideologies or his politics.
He added that he is a deeply religious man and that Karunanidhi is an Atheist.
Then he dropped a Bomb shell.
Vaali stated that Karunanidhi told him that he believes in one God and that there is a higher Power that guides and controls the world.
On being asked about his proximity with leading actresses Vaali stated that he had shared drinks with many actresses many a times and his relations with them after the drinks is censored.
Some interview worth watching.
This programme was aired on 3 June 2012 on Vasanth TV.
Tamil Writer Prapanchan has published a Book ‘துறவாடைக்குள் மறைந்த காதல் மனம்’.
A review has appeared in the Junior Vikatan of 29/2/2012.
Some excerpts were reproduced in the Magazine.
The writer is supposed to have looked into Ancient Tamil Literature and seems to provide(the review says) a new insight into Tamil Literature, which none has seen fit to think over a thousand years.
Just what are these ‘insights?’
The Tamil Literature of ‘எட்டுத்தொகை ,பத்துப்பாட்டு மற்றும் பிற பதினெட்டு நூல்களும் , மற்றும் மணிமேகலை etc ‘ ‘are written in Tamil but are not Tamil Literature’
All the Poets of these Ages were the Sycophants and were dependent on Kings and hence they represented the ‘Ruling Class’s View’ of Life”
He is supposed to have quoted from Tamil Literature.
I do not have the relevant quotes as it is not available with me now.
Those who have a passing knowledge of Tamil will know of the Poem
‘மன்னவனும் நீயோ ,வளநாடும் உனதோ .’ where the Poet slams the King.
Nor are people unaware of the Poem ‘கொங்குதேர் வாழ்க்கை அன் சேய்த்தும்பி ‘ where the Poet has challenged Lord Siva;
or of Avvaiyaar who helped defuse the tension between two Kings.
Do not forget there were lot of Tamil Kings who were Poets of repute, including Ilango Adigal,Adhiveerarama Padiyan,Raja Rajan .
I can quote more.
Poets of the earlier ages were more forth right in condemning Kings where they at fault unlike Vaali and Vairamuthu of this day.
Could have been few exceptions then.
A sweeping statement that all Poets of the earlier ages were the puppets of the rulers is idiotic.
Another profound statement is that Manimegali was forced into Sainthood by her Mother and was not allowed to think on her own!
People who were her contemporaries did not know her, the writer who comes later by Centuries than her knows her mind!
Anything that does not talk about Love and Illicit affairs’களவொழுக்கம் ‘, in the opinion of the Author of the Book, is not Tamil Literature!
Even if it were true then why should Tamil Literature have poems devoted for
‘களவொழுக்கம்’ separately?
They could have included it in the general classification.
Reason is that the poets were,unlike the present ilk, reflecting society as it was.
The problem is you should be either a fiction writer or a Literateur or should know the difference between the two and be proficient in at least one discipline.
One is revealed by what one writes.
Time people started thinking above the navel.
Now I think I know why Tamil has not produced any worth while Literature in the past 100 years and keeps on harping on old glory.
தமிழ் இலக்கியத்தை முறையாய்ப் படியுங்க , அப்பறம் எழுதலாம்
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