From political campaign songs to film numbers — tracing Muthulingam’s journey as a lyricist

Kavignar Muthulingam 
| Photo Credit: B. Thamodharan

The run-up to the 1977 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu was filled with fierce speeches and the air was heavy with political intrigue. After all, former friends M. Karunanidhi of the DMK and M.G. Ramachandran of the AIADMK were clashing head-on, and no one knew what would happen.

Amid all this, two songs ‘Anbukku naan adimai’ and ‘Ithu naatai kaakum kai’ played repeatedly from loudspeakers across the State. MGR sent the songs to Calcutta for conversion as RPM records, so they could be played during the campaign. Later, it was said that these songs were among the reasons that catapulted MGR and his fledgling AIADMK to power. The lyricist behind these songs, Muthulingam, recently completed five decades in the Tamil film industry.

“The songs may have caught people’s imagination. But, MGR’s groundwork was in place and he had that charisma. If songs can win elections, all actors will succeed in politics,” smiles Muthulingam.

Maduraiyai Meeta Sundarapandian, MGR’s last film also had two songs — ‘Thayagathin sudandiramey’ and ‘Veeramagan porada’ — packed with a strong political message
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu Archives

Maduraiyai Meeta Sundarapandian, MGR’s last film also had two songs — ‘Thayagathin sudandiramey’ and ‘Veeramagan porada’ — packed with a strong political message by the same lyricist. When there was an apprehension that the lines ‘Kottaiyile namadhu kodi paranthidavendum’ (Our flag should fly in the Fort)’ might face the Censor Board’s cut, Muthulingam convinced the filmmaker to retain the line. In his autobiography Aanantha Then Kaatru Thalattuthe, MGR refers to this and says: “Muthulingam did so because he is my dear friend,”

Born in Kadambakudi in Ramanathapuram district, Muthulingam worked as a journalist in the DMK organ Murasoli and Alai Osai (run by the Vellore Narayanan). He has written over 1,600 songs, and close to 250 are considered some of the finest in Tamil — ‘Manjolai kilithano’ from Kizhakke Pogum Rayil, ‘Idhazhil kathai ezhuthum’ from Unnal Mudiyum Thambi and ‘Bhoopalam isaikkum’ from Thooral Ninnu Pochu.

“The only person I’ve approached for an opportunity to write songs is MGR,” says Muthulingam, explaining why he has not been as prolific as others despite having hit songs to his credit. “He remembered, and asked me to write the songs for Meenava Nanban, even though the recording was over. He insisted my songs will be a part of the film — remember ‘Thangathil mugam eduthu santhanathil uyir eduthu’?”

 ‘Idhayam poguthey’ from Puthiya Vaarpugal is one of the many notable songs Muthulingam penned for Ilaiyaraaja
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Special Arrangement

But Muthulingam had his share of disappointments in Kodambakkam before he made a name as someone who excelled in writing songs for tunes. “When I worked, only K.V. Mahadevan could compose tunes for lyrics. Everyone else would get their tunes ready first and expect lyrics for that.”

Working with Ilaiyaraaja

Muthulingam worked at a time when a new order was coming into play in Tamil film music. Ilaiyaraaja was assisting G.K. Venkatesh, who was composing music for the film Ponnukku Thangamanasu. Its scriptwriter Balamurugan had invited Muthulingam to write the lyrics. But, he was smarting from having already written two songs for Nilave Nee Satchi and Sivaji Ganesan-starrer Pattikada Pattanama, which were never used. “Balamurugan assured me the film would not release without my song. I had to write a song for this situation: three rivers Ganga, Cauvery and Vaigai were competing, and a farmer had to pacify them.” His lyrics did not suit Venkatesh’s tune, and the film’s director P. Madhavan was unhappy at the delay. Venkatesh suggested Muthulingam sit with his assistant, who had plenty of tunes. The assistant? Ilaiyaraaja. The song? ‘Thanjavuru seemaiyile kannu thavi vanthen ponniamma’. “I had the privilege of writing the first song for Ilaiyaraaja,” smiles Muthulingam. This was the first of many collaborations between the two. One of their notable songs was ‘Idhayam poguthey’ for Puthiya Vaarpugal. Ilaiyaraaja has explained that the prelude of the song had the elements of a symphony. Incidentally, the maestro sang this song during the premiere of his symphony Valiant I in London.

A much-loved song of Muthulingam is ‘Sangeetha megham’ from Udhaya Geetham. A line goes thus: ‘Intha thegam marainthalaum isaiyai malarven’ (Even if my body disappears, I will blossom again as music). When singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam passed, this line was used in tribute, and as a reminder that his voice is timeless. Considering Muthulingam’s contribution to Tamil film music, this line could well be applicable to him too.