The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : All set to be the first lyricist-turned-hero

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Sunday, Dec 02, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

All set to be the first lyricist-turned-hero

“I have been getting offers to act since 2000. Somehow producers thought I was photogenic”

— FILE PHOTO

Pa. Vijay

His lyrics cover a spectrum of emotions from a peppy ‘Oru Koodai Sunlight’ and a melodious ‘Unnale Unnale’ to a soul-stirring ‘Ovvoru Pookalume’. Books authored by him are as popular as the songs penned by him. Young lyricist Pa. Vijay , who has bagged several awards, including the prestigious national award and Kalaimamani Award, is now donning a new cap as actor. He speaks on his passion for poetry and about his upcoming film to K. Lakshmi.

Taking time off the discussion for his film ‘Thai Kaaviyam’ Mr. Vijay reminisced the path he has traversed and the road ahead.

“Books inspired me a great deal and nurtured my passion for Tamil poetry,” said Mr. Vijay. Actor-director Bhagyaraj’s acquaintance drew him into the film industry as a lyricist.

Unfortunately, his first song in ‘Gnanapazham’ did not feature in the film. ‘Karupputhan enaku...’ was an important milestone in his career as it turned the spotlight on him. He has penned the lyrics for about 1,200 songs, besides authoring 26 books.

“I have been getting offers to act since 2000 and most of them were hero-oriented stories. Somehow producers thought I was photogenic,” chuckles Mr. Vijay, who was earlier sceptical about stepping into a field that was completely new to him.

“I didn’t want to ruin my hard-earned image as a lyricist.” He continued writing till he met Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi at his book launch function.

“When I sought his advice on the remake of ‘Parasakthi’, he cautioned me saying it was too big a task.” It was then that the idea of translating Mr. Karunanidhi’s acclaimed novel ‘Thai Kaaviyam’ on celluloid was born. Inspired by Russian writer Maxim Gorky’s novel ‘Mother’, the storyline focusses on the mother’s role.

“I took the offer after positive responses in my friends’ circle. It’s a kind of role that will suit my boy-next-door appearance,” he said.

Though lyricists such as Kannadasan and Vaali have acted in films, Mr. Vijay would be the first lyricist-turned-hero, He deems it a lifetime opportunity to play a protagonist in a film scripted by Mr. Karunanidhi. The film is slated for release on Tamil New Year’s Day .

Speaking on his lyricist role, he said that though he was comfortable writing different types of songs that proved his versatility he was more inclined towards melodies as they stood the test of time.

“All songs penned along with Mr. Vaali in ‘Thai Kaaviyam’ are soft melodies,” he said.

He makes the best use of opportunities to weave social messages in songs in commercial movies.

His new avatar as a hero has not hindered his lyric-writing profession. A long list of songs in films, including ‘1977’, ‘Billa’ and ‘Dham Dhoom’ are awaiting release. He is currently penning a book on poetry and also plans to launch a collection of his poems in cassettes soon.

How does he manage to juggle so many activities? Quoting from his award winning song, he says “…Vazhvenral poradum porkalame… (life is a battlefield),” adding, “Success is bound to follow if we are determined to win.”

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