Vairamuthu is an Indian lyricist, poet, and novelist working in the Tamil film industry. [1] 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 [2] 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 [3] and a Sahitya Akademi Award, [4] for his abundant literary output.
His association With A. R. Rahman is notable. Their association has won four out of six National Awards for A. R. Rahman and four out of seven National Awards for Vairamuthu. His association with filmmaker Mani Ratnam is also very well known and highly successful. The trio (A. R. Rahman, Vairamuthu, Mani Ratnam) completed 25 years of their successful association in 2017.
| Year | Film | Songs | Composer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Nizhalgal | Idhu Oru Ponmaalai | Ilayaraja |
| 1980 | Kaali | Bhadrakalai Uttama | Ilayaraja |
| 1981 | Raja Paarvai | Andhi Mazhai | Ilayaraja |
| 1981 | Tik Tik Tik | Idhu Oru Nila, Poo Malarnthida | Ilayaraja |
| 1981 | Alaigal Oivathillai | Aayiram Thamarai, Dharisanam Kidaikatha, Vizhiyil Vizhundhu | Ilayaraja |
| 1982 | Vaalibame Vaa Vaa | Kanne Balam | Ilayaraja |
| 1982 | Kadhal Oviyam | Amma Azhage, Naatham En Jeevane, Poovil Vandu, Sangeetha Jaathi Mullai | Ilayaraja |
| 1983 | Mann Vasanai | Pothi Vecha | Ilayaraja |
| 1986 | Punnagai Mannan | all songs | Ilayaraja |
| 1991 | Nattukku Oru Nallavan | all songs | Hamsalekha |
| 1995 | Muthu | all songs | A. R. Rahman |
| 1998 | Jeans | all songs | A. R. Rahman |
| 1999 | Sangamam | All songs | A. R. Rahman |
| 2002 | Kannathil Muthamittal | all songs | A. R. Rahman |
| 2020 | Nedunalvaadai | all songs | |