>Kailash29792 at 05:59, 17 February 2021

2021-02-17T05:59:33Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox person
|name = A. Maruthakasi
|image = A maruthakasi.jpg
|imagesize =
|caption =
|birth_name = Ayyamperumal Maruthakasi Udayar
|birth_date ={{birth date|df=yes|1920|2|13}}
|birth_place = [[Tiruchirappalli district|Melakudikadu]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British India]]
|death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1989|11|29|1920|2|13}}
|death_place =
|residence =
|nationality = Indian
|other_names =
|known_for =
|education =
| occupation = Poet, lyricist
| title =
| religion=
| spouse= Dhanakoti Ammal
|relatives=
|signature =
|website=
|}}
'''A. Maruthakasi''' (13 February 1920 – 29 November 1989) was an Indian poet and film lyricist who wrote mainly in the [[Tamil language]]. He penned more than 4000<ref name="tamilnews">{{Cite web |last=snapjudge |date=29 August 2007 |title=Maruthakasi – Biosketch: Movie Faces – Dinathanthi |url=https://bsubra.wordpress.com/2007/08/29/maruthakasi-biosketch-movie-faces-dinathanthi/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.is/20170504124244/https://bsubra.wordpress.com/2007/08/29/maruthakasi-biosketch-movie-faces-dinathanthi/ |archive-date=4 May 2017 |language=ta}}</ref> lyrics in more than 250 Tamil films.<ref name="dinamani">{{Cite web |date=19 September 2012 |title="திரைக்கவித் திலகம்" கவிஞர் மருதகாசி |trans-title="Thiraikavi Thilagam" Poet Maruthakasi |url=http://www.dinamani.com/weekly-supplements/tamilmani/2011/nov/06/%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%9E%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF-413924.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/XmnIK |archive-date=17 February 2021 |access-date=17 February 2021 |website=[[Dinamani]] |language=ta}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Born in Melakudikadu in [[Tiruchirappalli district]] on 13 February 1920 to parents Ayyamperumal Udayar and Milagayi Ammal,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kantha |first=Sachi Sri |author-link=Sachi Sri Kantha |date=September 15, 2020 |title=Lyricist Maruthakasi’s Autobiographical Notes |url=https://sangam.org/lyricist-maruthakasis-autobiographical-notes/ |url-status=live |access-date=2021-02-17 |website=Ilankai Tamil Sangam}}</ref> he had his primary education in the local village school. He had his higher education at Government College, [[Kumbakonam]].<ref name=dinamani />

After college, he wrote lyrics for the dramas staged by ''Devi Nadaga Sabha'' and to ''Mandirikumari'' a drama written by [[M. Karunanidhi]]. He also wrote lyrics for the drama company owned by [[Ka. Mu. Sheriff]]. The songs for the dramas were composed by [[Thiruchi Loganathan]]. Later, he joined as an assistant to Rajagopala Iyer, brother of [[Papanasam Sivan]].<ref name=dinamani />

== Career ==
In 1949, [[Modern Theatres]] was producing a Tamil film. [[G. Ramanathan]] was the composer. During the song recording rehearsals, Thiruchi Loganathan sang a song penned by Maruthakasi. Producer [[T. R. Sundaram]] appreciated the meaning of the lyrics and gave a chance to Maruthakasi in the film. ''Pen Enum Maayap Peyaam ... Poi Maadharai Yen Manam Naadumo'' is the first film lyric penned by Maruthakasi and the film [[Mayavathi]] released in 1949.

Since then he has written more than 4000 lyrics for more than 250 Tamil films. He had the ability to write lyrics to an already set tune. As such, he has penned lyrics for many films dubbed from other language films.<ref name=dinamani />

When Modern Theatres decided to produce [[Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1956 film)|Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum]] in 1956, T. R. Sundaram decided to use the same tunes set for the Hindi film of the same name. [[Udumalai Narayana Kavi]] was called to write the lyrics. But he declined saying that he will write lyrics for fresh tunes and recommended Maruthakasi. Maruthakasi wrote 9 songs for the set tunes.<ref name=tamilnews />

One of his greatest hits, ''Neelavanna Kanna Vaadaa'' from the film ([[Mangaiyar Thilakam]] was first assigned to Kannadasan. But film-maker [[L. V. Prasad]] was not impressed by that song. He asked Maruthakasi to write the song and it became a big hit.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rangaraj |first=R. |date=27 July 2020 |title=Songs of son of the soil |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/songs-of-son-of-the-soil/articleshow/77187971.cms |url-status=live |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=http://archive.is/q3KSo |archive-date=27 July 2020}}</ref>

During the earlier decades of Tamil films, songs were written as per old Tamil literature. Maruthakasi is a foremost lyricist who started writing lyrics that could be understood by the common man.<ref name=dinamani />

Many of his lyrics have taken root in the hearts of audience.
*''Neelavanna Kanna Vaadaa'' ([[Mangaiyar Thilakam]] – 1955)
*''Sathiyame Latchiyamaayi Kollada'' ([[Neelamalai Thirudan]] – 1957)
*''Mullai Malar Mele'' ([[Uthama Puthiran (1958 film)|Uthama Puthiran]] – 1958)
*''Yer Munaikku Ner Inge Edhuvumeyille'' (Pillai Kani Amudhu – 1958)
*''Sirippu Idhan Sirappai'' ([[Raja Rani (1956 film)|Raja Rani]] – 1956)

are some of his songs that still remain evergreen among Tamil film music lovers.

== Personal life ==
He married Dhanakodi Ammal in 1940. The couple have 6 sons and 3 daughters.<ref name=dinamani />

He encouraged young persons who were looking for a career in Tamil films.
*When [[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]] was looking for opportunities in the early sixties, he was given a chance to write a song for the film [[Nallavan Vazhvan]]. The recording of the song ''Sirikindral inru sirikindral'' was being postponed several times for various reasons. The producers thought the 'omen' was not good and asked Maruthakasi to write a song. Maruthakasi read Vaali's lyrics and told the producer that it is an excellent song and told the producer to record Vaali's song. The song was a hit.<ref name=dinamani />
*When Modern Theatres in Salem produced [[Paasavalai]] in 1956, they invited Maruthakasi to write the lyrics. But Maruthakasi was busy in Chennai. He recommended [[Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram]] for writing the lyrics.<ref name=tamilnews />
*In 1954 he recommended [[T. M. Soundararajan]] as a playback singer for the film [[Thookku Thookki]] to music director [[G. Ramanathan]].<ref name="hindu">{{Cite news |last=Karthikeyan |first=D. |date=25 May 2013 |title=Voice from Madurai that gave populist edge to Dravidian politics |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/voice-from-madurai-that-gave-populist-edge-to-dravidian-politics/article4750628.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=4 May 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.is/20170504141905/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/voice-from-madurai-that-gave-populist-edge-to-dravidian-politics/article4750628.ece |archive-date=4 May 2017}}</ref> T. M. Soundararajan went on to become a legend in Tamil film music.

After 1960s most of the producers sought [[Kannadasan]] as lyricist for their films. Maruthakasi did not get much opportunities. He tried to produce films but sustained losses so he returned to his village. [[M. G. Ramachandran]] called him back to Chennai and made him to write lyrics for all films produced by [[Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar|Devar films]]. Maruthakasi wrote lyrics for films produced by [[K. S. Gopalakrishnan]].<ref name=dinamani />

== Works ==
His works have been made public by the [[Government of Tamil Nadu|State government of Tamil Nadu]].<ref name=dinamani />

== Death ==
He died on 29 November 1989.<ref name=dinamani />

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.tamilvu.org/library/nationalized/pdf/64-maruthakasi/tiriisaipadalgal.pdf Maruthakasi Lyrics]
*[http://www.indian-heritage.org/flmmusic/maruthakasi.html Maruthakasi Songs]
*[http://www.dinamalarnellai.com/web/news/64206 Maruthakasi and Kannadasan] (in Tamil) by [[Vamanan]]
*[http://chennai2000plus.com/news-events/33/centenary-of-lyricist-maruthakasi-ignored Centenary of lyricist Maruthakasi ignored]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maruthakasi, A.}}
[[Category:Tamil film poets]]
[[Category:Indian male poets]]
[[Category:People from Tiruchirappalli district]]
[[Category:1920 births]]
[[Category:1989 deaths]]

A. Maruthakasi - Revision history

>Kailash29792 at 05:59, 17 February 2021