A. Maruthakasi

A. Maruthakasi was a Tamil poet and film lyricist who wrote mainly in the Tamil language. He penned more than 4000 lyrics in more than 250 Tamil films.

Early life

Born in Melakudikadu in Tiruchirappalli district on 13 February 1920 to parents Ayyamperumal Udayar and Milagayi Ammal, he had his primary education in the local village school. He had his higher education at Government College, Kumbakonam.
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.

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.
When Modern Theatres decided to produce 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.
One of his greatest hits, Neelavanna Kanna Vaadaa from the film

Sathiyame Latchiyamaayi Kollada
Mullai Malar Mele
Yer Munaikku Ner Inge Edhuvumeyille
Sirippu Idhan Sirappai

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

Personal life

He married Dhanakodi Ammal in 1940. The couple had 6 sons and 3 daughters.
He encouraged young persons who were looking for a career in Tamil films.

When 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 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.
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.
In 1954 he recommended T. M. Soundararajan as a playback singer for the film Thookku Thookki to music director G. Ramanathan. 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 Devar Films. Maruthakasi wrote lyrics for films produced by K. S. Gopalakrishnan.

Works

His works have been made public by the State government of Tamil Nadu.
As a Lyricist
The following list is incomplete.

Year	Film	Songs	Music
1955	Mangaiyar Thilakam	Baakkiyavathi Naan Baakkiyavathi Nee Varavillaiyenil Aadharavedhu Neela Vanna Kanna Vaada Purindhu Kollavillai Innum Unmai Anbu Endrum Anaindhidaadha Theebam	Susarla Dakshinamurthi
1956	Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum	All songs	Susarla Dakshinamurthi
1956	Raja Rani	Sirippu Idhan Sirappai Sollaale Veenaanadhe Thirai Pottu Naame	T. R. Pappa
1957	Makkalai Petra Magarasi	Manapaarai Maadu Katti Sonna Pechcha Kekkanum Vandhadhu Yaarunu Makkalai Petra Maharasi Seemaikku Poi Padichchavaru Senthazham Poovai Poi Ondru Serndha Anbu	K. V. Mahadevan
1957	Neelamalai Thirudan	Konjum Mozhi Penngalukku Sathiyame Latchiyamai Ullam Kollai Kannalam"	K. V. Mahadevan
1957	Bagyavathi	"Pombalainga Therinju Kollanum" "Ellorum Unnai Nallavan Endre" "Dhinasari En Vaazhvil Thirunaale" "Vaazhvedhu Nal Vaazhvedhu" "Kannale Vettadhe Summaa Kannale Vettadhe" "Paruvam Malarndhu Asaindhu Aadum" "Asai Kiliye Azhagu Chilaiye"	S. Dakshinamurthi
1958	Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum	Thai Pirantha Vazhi Pirakkum Sollattuma Sollattuma Nerangketta Nerathile...Nenachathu Onnu Pollaathor Soozhchi	K. V. Mahadevan
1958	Uthama Puthiran	Muthe Pavalame Mullai Malar Mele Anbe Amudhey	G. Ramanathan
1958	Petra Maganai Vitra Annai	Thendral Urangiya Podhum Kannaalan Vandhiduvaar Petra Maganai Vitra Annai Mamma Mamma Pannaadai	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
1958	Pillai Kaniyamudhu	All songs	K. V. Mahadevan
1958	Sarangadhara	All songs	G. Ramanathan
1959	Vannakili	All songs	K. V. Mahadevan
1959	Vaazha Vaitha Deivam		K. V. Mahadevan
1960	Padikkadha Medhai	Aadi Pizhaithaalum Paadi Pizhaithaalum Inba Malargal Poothu Seevi Mudichu Singarichu Pakkathile Kanni Penn Vindhaiyinum Periya Vindhaiyadi	K. V. Mahadevan
1960	Mannathi Mannan	Aadadha Manamum Undo Aadum Mayile Azhagu Mayile Engalin Rani	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
1960	Paavai Vilakku	All songs	K. V. Mahadevan
1961	Sabaash Mapillai	All songs	K. V. Mahadevan
1963	Lava Kusa	All songs	K. V. Mahadevan
1967	Vivasaayee	Ennama Singara Kadavul Ennum Vivasayee	K. V. Mahadevan
1975	Ninaithadhai Mudippavan	Kannai Nambathey Poomazhai Thoovi Vasantham	M. S. Viswanathan
1977	Palabishegham	All songs	Shankar–Ganesh

Death

He died on 29 November 1989.