One of Tamil cinema’s celebrated lyricist, an evergreen poet, Vaali, who ruled the film industry for over five decades, passed away here Friday. He was 82.

He died due to respiratory illness in a private hospital.

Vaali, who acted in Tamil films such as "Sathya", "Hey Ram" and "Parthale Paravasam", had also penned the biographies of Rama, Krishna and Ramanuja. He even wrote an autobiography titled "Naanum Indha Nootrandum".



Biography

Vaali was born to Srinivasa Iyengar and Ponnammal in Srirangam on October 29, 1931 and came to Chennai in the 1950s seeking an opportunity in Tamil film industry. He became a sought after lyricist in 1960s and 1970s thanks to the patronage he got from MGR. Vaali, whose real name is TS Rangarajan, has been known for his fighting spirit. According to Chennai-based political commentator and columnist Sudhangan, a friend of the lyricist, Vaali came to the city from Srirangam in the 1950s, trying to catch a break in Kollywood. After a few years of dead ends, Vaali was so disillusioned at not being able to break the stranglehold that lyricist Kannadasan had over the film industry, he had decided to pack his bags and leave. "Playback singer PB Srinivas - who passed away recently - happened to see Vaali packing up and decided to sing him the song Mayakama Kalakama from the 1962 movie 'Sumai Thangi'. It was written by Kannadasan. It apparently inspired Vaali so much that he decided to stay back in Chennai," says Sudhangan. Clearly a good decision, as Vaali soon became one of the most prolific lyricists in the Tamil film industry, writing all through to 2013. He even wrote the songs of the soon to be released 'Maryaan'. "While he began his career working with All India Radio, and debuted in Tamil cinema in 1963 with 'Idayathil Nee,' it was the movie 'Karpagam' (also made in 1963) that shot him to fame," says Sudhangan. Vaali wrote more than 10,000 Tamil in a career spanning over five decades. Some of his famous songs include 'Mukkabla' (Kadhalan), 'Maya Machindra' (Indian), 'Ennai Vilai Azhagae' (Kadhalar Dhinam), 'Ale Ale' (Boys) 'Oru Maalai' (Ghajini (2005 film), to name a few. He wrote a number of books including 'Naanum Indha Nootrandum,' his autobiography. Vaali acted in movies like 'Hey Ram,' 'Sathya' and 'Paarthale Parvasam' and 'Poikal Kudhirai.'