Biography

Vairamuthu Ramasamy (born 13 July 1953)^[5] is an Indian lyricist, poet, and novelist working in the Tamil film industry. He is a prominent figure in the Tamil literary world. A master's graduate from the Pachaiyappa's College in Chennai, he first worked as a translator, while also being a published poet. He entered the Tamil film industry in the year 1980, with the film Nizhalgal, an Ilaiyaraaja musical, directed by Bharathiraja. During the course of his 40-year film career, he has written over 7,500 songs and poems^[6] which have won him seven National Awards, the most for any Indian lyricist. He has also been honored with a Padma Shri, a Padma Bhushan^[7] and a Sahitya Akademi Award,^[8] for his abundant literary outpu

Filmography[edit]

Main article: Vairamuthu filmography

As writer[edit]

• Natpu (1986)
• Odangal (1986)
• Thulasi (1987)
• Vanna Kanavugal (1987)
• Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil (1989)
• Vanakkam Vathiyare (1991)
• Captain (1994)

Awards and recognition[edit]

Film career[edit]

Vairamuthu in 2014 receiving Padma Bhushan award from former president Pranab Mukherjee

National Film Award for Best Lyrics

• 1985: All songs from Muthal Mariyathai
• 1992: "Chinna Chinna Aasai" from Roja
• 1994: "Poralae Ponnuthayi" from Karuththamma; "Uyirum Neeye" from Pavithra
• 1999: "Mudhal Murai Killipparthaein" from Sangamam
• 2002: "Oru Theivam Thantha Poovey" from Kannathil Muthamittal
• 2010: "Kallikkaattil Perandha Thaayae" from Thenmerku Paruvakaatru
• 2016: "Endha Pakkam" from Dharma Durai

Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Tamil

• 2005 "Oh Sukumari" from Anniyan – Won
• 2008: "Vaa Vaa" from Abhiyum Naanum – Nominated
• 2009: "Nenje Nenje" from Ayan – Nominated
• 2010: "Kadhal Anukkal" from Enthiran; "Usure Poguthey" from Raavanan – Nominated
• 2011: "Sara Sara" from Vaagai Sooda Vaa – Won
• 2012: "Para Para" from Neerparavai – Nominated
• 2013: "Chithirai Nila" from Kadal; "Sengaade" from Paradesi – Nominated
• 2014: "Ovvondrai Thirudigarai" from Jeeva – Nominated
• 2016: "Endha Pakkam" from Dharma Durai – Nominated
• 2017: "Vaan" from Kaatru Veliyidai – Won

Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Lyricist

• 1981-1982: "Vizhiyil Vizhundu" and "Kadhal Oviyam" from Alaigal Oivathillai
• 1995: "Poralae Ponnuthayi" from Karuththamma
• 1996: "Oruvan Oruvan" from Muthu; "Kannaalanae" from Bombay
• 2000: "Mudhal Murai Killipparthaein" from Sangamam
• 2005: "Oh Sukumari" and "Iyengaaru Veetu" from Anniyan
• 2007: All songs from Periyar

SIIMA Award for Best Lyricist – Tamil

• 2012: "Para Para" from Neerparavai – Nominated
• 2013: "Nenjukkulle" from Kadal – Nominated
• 2014: "Kandangi Kandangi" from Jilla – Nominated
• 2015: "Malargal Kettaen” from O Kadhal Kanmani – Won
• 2016: "Endha Pakkam" from Dharma Durai – Nominated
• 2017: "Vaan" from Kaatru Veliyidai – Nominated

Vijay Award for Best Lyricist

• 2007: "Kaatrin Mozhi" from Mozhi – Nominated
• 2008: "Vaa Vaa" from Abhiyum Naanum – Nominated
• 2009: "Nenje Nenje" from Ayan – Nominated
• 2010: "Arima Arima" from Enthiran; "Kallikkaatil Pirandha Thaaye" from Thenmerku Paruvakaatru – Won
• 2011: "Sara Sara" from Vaagai Sooda Vaa – Won
• 2013: "Nenjukkule" from Kadal – Nominated
• 2014: "Maatram Ondru" from Kochadaiiyaan – Nominated

Civilian Honors[edit]

• 2003: Padma Shri: For Distinguished Services in Literature and Education
• 2014: Padma Bhushan: For Distinguished Services in Literature and Education

Literary awards and honors[edit]

• 1999: S. P. Adithanar Literary Award for Best Tamil Novel for Thanneer Thesam
• 2003: Sahitya Akademi Award for Best Literary Work for Kallikkaattu Ithihaasam
• 2009: Sadhana Samman for contributions to Indian literature through poetry, novels and lyrics.
• 2013: Ilakkiya Sinthanai Award for Best Tamil Novel for Moondram Ulaga Por
• 2013: Tansri K.R. Somasundaram Literature Foundation Award for Best Novel in Tamil Literature for Moondram Ulaga Por
• 2018: Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry's Book of the Year Award for N?kapani Va?k? Itih?sh (Hindi version of Kallikkaattu Ithihaasam)

Other honors[edit]

Tamil Nadu State Government Awards

• 1990: Kalaimamani Award
• 1990: Paavendhar Award

Honorary doctorates

• 2007: Tamil Nadu Open University
• 2008: Madurai Kamaraj University
• 2009: Bharathiar University
• 2021: O. N. V. Literary Award instituted by the ONV Cultural Academy (declined)^[23]

Published works[edit]

In Tamil:

• Vaikarai Megangal (1972)
• Thiruthi Ezhuthiiya Theerpugal (1979)
• Innoru Dhesiya Geetham (1982)
• Kavi Raajan Kadhai (1982)
• Idhu Varai Naan (1983) (his autobiography at the age of 28)
• En Pazhaiya Panai Oolaigal (1983)
• Vaanam Thottuvidum Thooramthan (1983)
• En Jannalin Vazhiye (1984)
• Mounathin Sapthangal (1984)
• Kalvettugal (1984)
• Kodi Marathin Vergal (1984)
• Kelvigalaal Oru Velvi (1984)
• Ratha Dhaanam (1985)
• Sirpiye Unnai Sethukukiren (1985)
• Netru Potta Kolam (1985)
• Meendum En Thottilukku (1986)
• Ella Nadhiyilum En Odam (1989)
• Vadugapatti Mudhal Volga Varai (1989)
• Indha Pookkal Virpanaikkalla (1991)
• Kaavi Nirathil oru Kaadhal (1991)
• Indha Kulathil Kal Erinthavargal (1991)
• Oru Porkkalamum Irandu Pookkalum (1991)
• Sigarangalai Nokki (1992)
• Idhanal Sakalamaanavargalukkum (1992)
• Villodu Vaa Nilave (1994)
• Thanneer Thesam (1996)
• Thamizhukku Niram Undu (1997)
• Peyyena Peyyum Mazhai (1999)*
• Vairamuthu Kavithaikal (2000)
• Kallikkaattu Ithihaasam (2001)
• Konjam Theneer Niraiya Vaanam (2005)
• Oru Giramathu Paravaiyum Sila kadalgalum (2005)
• Karuvaachi Kaaviyam (2006)
• Paarkadal (2008)
• Aayiram Paadalgal (2011)
• Moondram Ulaga Por (2013)
• Vairamuthu Sirukathaikal (2015)
• Tamizhatruppadai (2019)

Works Published in other Languages:

• Drops That Hop Without A Stop (Selected poems in English) – 2000 – Translated by Dr Vishnu Priya, Published by Hindi Hridaya, Chennai.
• A Drop in Search of the Ocean (Selected poems in English) – 2003 – Translated by Balan Menon, Published by Rupa & Co., New Delhi
• Vairamuthu Baavani (Selected poems in Hindi) – 2003 – Translated by Kamakshi subramaniam, Published by Hindi Hridaya, Chennai
• Bindhu Sindhu Ki Oor (Selected poems in Hindi) – 2004 – Translated by Dr Vishnu Priya, Published by Rajkamal Prakashan Pvt Ltd, New Delhi
• God Morgen Lyrikk (Selected Lyrics in Norwegian) – 2004 – Translated by Kowsihaa Gowrithasan, Published by Kowsihaa Gowrithasan, Norge
• Vairamuthu Ravara Muvathmuru Kavithegalu – 2009 (Selected poems in Kannada) – Translated by Prof. Malarvili, Published by Christ University Kannada, Bangalore.
• Siruthu Neram Manithanayi Irunthavan – 2017 (Selected short stories in Malayalam) – Translated by K.S.Venkitachalam, Published by Mathrubhumi Books, Kozhikode
• N?kapani Va?k? Itih?sh - Hindi (Kallikkattu Ithihaasam) – 2017 – (Sahitya Akademi Award Winning Novel & FICCI Book of the Year Award –2018) – Translated by H.Balasubramaniam, Published by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi
• Kalligaadina Ithihaasa - Kannada (Kallikkattu Ithihaasam) – 2021 – (Sahitya Akademi Award Winning Novel & FICCI Book of the Year Award –2018) – Translated by Malarvizhi.K, Published by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi