Gangai Amaran, a music composer, responds to poet Vairamuthu’s “controversial” remarks criticizing Ilaiyaraaja
An intense dispute has been sparked by a recent comment made by Tamil poet Vairamuthu criticizing Ilaiyaraaja. Veteran musician Gangai Amaran has responded sharply to this. Vairamuthu emphasized the importance of poetry for a film song in addition to music, which sparked a conversation on the role that lyrics and music have in producing compositions that have an effect.
Gangai Amaran, the brother of Ilaiyaraaja, shared a video and angrily criticized Vairamuthu’s remarks, threatening to retaliate if he insults Ilaiyaraaja going forward.
Known for their 1980s collaborations, the Ilaiyaraaja-Vairamuthu team collaborated for seven years, resulting in several chart-topping successes. But as time went on, their relationship deteriorated, and they were silent for more than thirty years.
The latest controversy erupted after Vairamuthu made a contentious remark during the soundtrack premiere of the film Padikkadha Pakkangal in Chennai, alluding to a disagreement over song rights. He said, “What will happen if the lyricist also claims the rights to the song?”
In response to Vairamuthu’s remarks, Gangai Amaran made a video in which he threatened to retaliate against Vairamuthu by disparaging Ilaiyaraaja. He also criticized Vairamuthu, saying that he was the most conceited person in the Tamil cinema business.
Amaran continued, saying there wouldn’t be a Vairamuthu in the absence of Ilaiyaraaja. Vairamuthu would not have had the chance if Ilaiyaraaja’s lyrics had not been incorporated in Idhu Oru Ponmalai Pozhudhu from Nizhalgal, according to the brother of the music composer. Despite being a talented poet, Vairamuthu is not a decent guy. Gangai Amaran continued, “He forgot the man who helped him in his career and he would have to face severe consequences if he made a controversial statement about Ilaiyaraaja.”
Poet Vairamuthu discussed the meeting with the Finder film team on Twitter and emphasized the importance of lyrics in a movie.
Gangai Amaran began his career in 1977 as a lyricist for the movie 16 Vayathinile. Since then, he has composed music, sang, written, acted, and directed films in the Tamil language.
