Andal Priyadarshini
More into poetry, stories and novels, Andal Priyadarshini entered the film industry as a lyricist in 2006. With more than 10 films in her kitty, Andal’s entry happened when she was searching for what she’s going to do next. She’s published 26 books including six books on poetry.
Her debut song was for 'Oru Ponnu Oru Paiyan'. “Then 'Jaambavaan', 'Tharagu', 'Thee Nagar' and 'Vallamai Tharayo' happened,” says Andal, who rates Aaayiram vaanavil aayiram thoranam naane naana in Vallamai Tharayo as her favourite. “It’s about women’s liberation and how independent she feels,” explains Andal, who’s penning lyrics for films like 'Achamundu Achamundu', 'Rasikum Seemanae', 'Uchakattam' among others.
“In Kudiyarasu, I wrote one item number Aintharai adiyil sorgam naan. I like writing item numbers and romantic songs,” says Andal. Talking about writing lyrics for item numbers Andal questions, “Our body is our own treasure and why can’t we write about it and celebrate it? But men see them and write differently.”
“There’re some practical problems like you have to spend nights in the recording studios and the work doesn‘t get over in one session. You should be there for a discussion with music directors, producers and directors and that might be the reason for women to not opt for this profession,” adds Andal, one of the recipients of the Kalaimamani this year.
“I got famous right after my first song. Music has got its own reach. In case of literature, only educated people understand it but lyrics reach every nook and cranny of the state,” says the lyricist who feels there’s a welcome change now as no double meaning songs are preferred. “We’re asked to give healthy lyrics,” she adds.
Thenmozi Das
“From the days of Avvaiyar until today, there have been only 60-80 well-known women poets, but in the case of men for the same period, we know atleast 10,000 well-known male poets. But these 60 women are capable of dominating those 10,000 men,” opines Thenmozi, who hails from Manalaar Estate.
“What men write is superficial. Compare the way men write and we write and you‘ll notice that women like Tamarai and myself use more powerful words that gel with reality. Men don’t have depth in their thoughts and women poets are more efficient. Maybe because women have been suppressed and so, use their chance to write to explode with their ideas,” adds the writer, who has penned lyrics for title songs of TV shows 'Kadhalika Neramillai' and 'Kana Kaanum Kaalangal'.
“I read a lot of books after coming to Chennai and equipped myself. I was into serious literature and I published my first collection Isai Illatha Ilai Illai in 2001. Bharathiraja released the collection and that’s how I got the chance to work with him in 'Eera Nilam'. I worked as a dialogue writer, assistant director and lyricist for the film,” says Thenmozi, whose Theekuruvil from 'Kangalal Kaithu Sai' got her a good recognition. She also worked as an assistant director with K S Ravikumar for Varalaru. At present, Thenmozi is writing dialogues for 'Therkathi Ponnu' on Kalaignar TV.
Tamarai
She is widely regarded as a predecessor for women lyricists in filmdom. “After four years of struggle, I got a chance. It was not easy 11 years ago,” opines Tamarai, whose Vaseegara for 'Minnalae' made her popular.
“My first song was for 'Iniyavalae'. Naturally, the thinking of men and women differs. What men think, women won’t think and vice versa. The way I write is different and is something that men have not written,” says Tamarai, who feels there’s no gender restriction for entering into any fields in cinema.
“There’s a difference in writing lyrics and in writing poetry. There’re so many women poets but penning lyrics is something different and when they try to include their poems in the lyrics there comes the failure. Poetry is what you think, lyrics are what the characters think,” says Tamarai.
“I have policies like I won’t write double meaning songs, won’t use vulgar words and won’t use unnecessary English words. From children to elderly people, everyone should hear and should be able to sing it in the public,” says the lyricist, who has written more than 500 songs, of which 300 have been released.
Tamarai is committed to write 20 songs at present and feels that a lyricist should have knowledge in current affairs. Tamarai says that there’s no patience among the newcomers today, and that everyone wants to succeed the very next day. “A deep knowledge and a good study of film songs is essential,” says Tamarai, who loves her songs like 'Paartha mudhal naale', 'Karu karu vizhikalil', 'Kangal irundhal', 'Kelaamal Kaiyilae' among others.
Rohini
While she’s known for her acting and directorial skills, she also has another hidden talent- writing lyrics, which came to the limelight through 'Pachaikili Muthucharam'. When Rohini was dubbing for 'Vettaiyadu Vilayadu', Gautham came to know about Rohini’s writings and in his next film, Rohini turned as lyricist. “Unakul naane'…. was my first song. Next it was for Prabhu Deva’s 'Villu',” she says.
Rohini is happy about the response she has received for her writing. She received best debut lyricist award in Sunfeast Tamil Music Awards. “I want to make clear that I’ve not taken it up as a full time job. It was for the sheer joy of working with Prabhu Deva did I take up the offer to write 'Jalsa' in Villu,” says Rohini, who is all set to begin work on her next documentary.
On her poetry, Rohini says, “I’m really shy discussing my poetry in public because it’s something very personal. My poetry is only for myself and I’m not comfortable talking about it,” she makes it clear.
umakannan@epmltd.com