Even as the debate on whether lyrics could be considered as poetry, is still on, post Bob Dylan winning the Nobel Prize for Literature, a statement by music legend Ilaiyaraaja, in K-town, has turned a lot of heads. The maestro, in a recent event, pointed out that, “Anyone who holds a pen these days thinks he or she is a poet.” Referring to the Tamil poet Kamban’s description of an ideal poet, he questioned if there is anyone in the country befitting that description.
Many young directors, actors and even composers, of late, have doubled up as lyricists. However, many professional lyricists have been constantly voicing out their opinion that there should be certain qualifications for a person to become a songwriter, without which, the quality of the language and the songs is bound to deteriorate in due course.
DC speaks to veterans and new-gen lyricists about their take on the current trend. Lyricist Thamarai, a purist, who avoids employing words from another language, agrees with what Ilaiyaraaja said. “Professionals have been speaking against the ongoing scenario because songs have an instant reach. For the uneducated, lyrics are the major source of Tamil words. So, when someone without a good command over the language writes, he can’t do justice to the responsibilities.”
“A lyricist should have some qualifications. I don’t hold a degree in Tamil. I am a mechanical engineer, but was driven by the love of Tamil. So, I learnt Tamil grammar and the language. However, you can cry and lament over the issue but it won’t stop. All you can do is resist as much you can,” she adds.
Young lyricist Vivek, who has penned the songs of Irudhi Suttru and Remo, opines, “Ilaiyaraaja sir has a point. Nowadays, children don’t read Tamil literature much. It’s through film songs that they learn new words and sentence constructions. So, someone who writes songs should learn the language and its nuances.”
He then adds, “However, in my opinion, a director is the best person to write the lyrics because he visualises the scene and constructs it. But due to the lack of language skills, it’s become imperative to bring in professionals. If a filmmaker can write a song devoid of mistakes, there is nothing wrong in it.”
However, director of Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, Vignesh Shivan, who has penned hit songs for several films, says that the great thing about arts is that it needs no
qualification. “Art comes from your heart and your artwork is what qualifies you. You do something and strike a chord with the people and they respond with applause and recognition. It is all about the end consumer.”
One day someone started walking on a rope and people were astonished. That’s how the art of walking on the rope evolved. Nobody knew why he started doing it. Art is like that,” Vignesh asserts.
“It’s a wrong notion that anyone can write lyrics. Just because we use simple words doesn’t mean that it is an easy thing. Kolaveri was a massive hit all around the world, and it is not by mere fluke. It has something in it which people enjoyed,” he concludes.
Madhan Karky holds a similar point of view — “I don’t want to comment on Ilaiyaraaja sir’s opinion. It’s his personal view,” he clarifies, adding, “According to me, I don’t think lyric-writing needs any formal education. It all boils down to one's imagination and command over the language. This art is not a joke and not every director pens songs. Only a few, including some actors, experiment and try to express their thoughts.”
He also praises the new lyricists, who are not professionals, “I see very good quality lyrics from Dhanush; Vignesh Shivan has penned some beautiful lines. And recently, Arun Vaidhyanathan, who is working in the upcoming film Nibunan, has penned his first song for the film. It is very poetic and certainly doesn’t seem like it comes from a newcomer.”
Thamarai
A lyricist should have some qualifications. I don’t hold a degree in Tamil. I am a mechanical engineer, but was driven by the love of Tamil. So, I learnt Tamil
grammar and the language. However, you can cry and lament over the issue but it won’t stop. All you can do is resist as much you can.
Madhan Karky
I don’t think lyric-writing needs any formal education. It all boils down to one’s
imagination and command over the language. This art is not a joke and not every director writes. Only a few, including some actors, experiment and try to put out their thoughts
