A. Maruthakasi

Ayyamperumal Maruthakasi Udayar was a Tamil poet and lyricist from India best known for his contributions to Tamil literature and film industry. He was born on February 13, 1920, in Melakudikadu, Tiruchirappalli district, and died on November 29, 1989. Maruthakasi received his primary education in the local village school and his higher education at Government College in Kumbakonam. His mother, Milagaayi Ammal, a talented folk singer, and his father, Ayyamperumal, an agriculturist, had an influence on his writing. During his school days, Maruthakasi's passion for Tamil literature was ignited through his interaction with excellent teachers.

He was fortunate to sharpen his linguistic skills under the tutelage of Papanasam Rajagopal Iyer, the elder sibling of ranking Tamil composer and first-generation Tamil movie lyricist Papanasam Sivan. After college, he wrote lyrics for the drama company owned by Ka. Mu. Sheriff. Maruthakasi got his film break after singer Tiruchy Loganathan performed one of his drama songs at an audition at Salem Modern Theatre. The owner of Modern Theatres, T R Sundaram, intrigued by the lyrics, sent for Maruthakasi to write songs for his films. He made his debut in Mayavathi in 1949, bringing authenticity and understanding to lyrics about agriculture rarely seen in film songs before.

Maruthakasi wrote lyrics for more than 250 Tamil films, including those produced by K. S. Gopalakrishnan. He also joined as an assistant to Rajagopala Iyer, Papanasam Sivan's brother. His works have been made public by the State government of Tamil Nadu. Maruthakasi had written 11 pages of his career reminiscences as a Tamil lyricist, which provides a unique insight into the Tamil movie industry between 1950 and 1975. In these notes, he reminisced on his interactions with his seniors in the industry, such as lyricist Udumalai Narayana Kavi Bio coming soon... >> Read More... , music director G. Ramanathan, producers T.R. Sundaram and Sandow M.M.A. Chinappa Thevar, and actors N.S. Krishnan and MGR, when he was in his 30s.

Maruthakasi married Dhanakodi Ammal in 1940, and the couple had six sons and three daughters. He wrote lyrics for popular songs such as "Neelavanna Kanna Vaadaa," "Sathiyame Latchiyamaayi Kollada," "Mullai Malar Mele," "Yer Munaikku Ner Inge Edhuvumeyille," "Sirippu Idhan Sirappai," "Seevi Mudichu Singarichu," "Pakkathile Kanni Penn," and "Vindhaiyinum Periya Vindhaiyadi." Maruthakasi's career reminiscences remain a valuable source for researchers and enthusiasts of Tamil movie history.