“I had to come up with a song for Velayudham and a catchy opening stanza was yet to fall in place,” recalls Lyricist Viveka. “I took a stroll on the street and heard a man comment on a small boy ‘ Mulachu moonu yelaiye vidala… ’ and it struck me that the adage could be the perfect Pallavi for the song.”
“Many of my songs are born in such unexpected spontaneous ways. Once I write down the opening, the rest of it flows,” says Viveka, who often refers to his childhood experience in Malligapuram village in the interior Thiruvannamalai district.
Growing up in the arid belt, he had a keen observation for the people, their mannerisms and cultural elements that defined the region. “That’s where my inspiration comes from. Observation of one’s surroundings is vital for any writer,” he says. “Actor Ajith appreciated me for the song ‘ Rathagaja thuraga pathathigal ethirpinum… ’ in Veeram . The lyrics were inspired from the street singers whom I have seen as a child in Malligapuram. Likewise, the song ‘ Kodiyavanin uyirai edukka… ’ from Kanchana 2 had Tantric undertones in the lyrics and was inspired by the village soothsayers.”
The lyricist has penned nearly 2,000 movie songs so far and is currently writing songs for many upcoming films. “Kavignar Kannadasan is my role model among modern-day poets. However, I enjoy reading Sangam-age poems which are steeped in love. One could find so many forms of expressions in Sangam poems and they lend an understanding of how beautiful Tamil language is.”
For instance, there are various ways in which the waist of a woman has been romanticised in the poems of Nalavenba , he says. “Pugazhendhi Pulavar says that the woman’s waist is as dainty as a thread, while Kamban goes a step further and compares it to God as it’s invisible, meaning almost non-existent. This is where I got the idea for the line ‘ Iduppu Konda oosi, siruppu window AC… ’ in the song ‘ Kadhal vandhale… ’ in Singam .”
Known for his signature style of mixing English and Tamil words in his songs, Viveka says he takes in the essence of the storyline and delivers what the subject of the movie demands. “I think, modern usages when inserted into Tamil songs add to the beauty of it. The purpose of a film song is to stay in the minds of viewers and have a high recall value. Songs are like ads for a movie and they are played and listened to for a long time, even after the film goes off the screens.”
“The song ‘ Daddy mummy veetil illa… ’ from Pokkiri became a huge hit and got appreciation as well as criticism. Criticism can’t be avoided in creative field and I take them in my stride. As a Lyricist I have a social responsibility,” he adds.
Sometimes, it’s also the character, the actor that’s larger than the storyline and the songs have to reflect their personality, says Viveka. “I wrote the song ‘ Single kisske loveaa… ’ in Uttama Villain having Kamalhassan in mind.”
Viveka is happy that his songs in Si3 have become a major hit. He has also written songs for upcoming films like Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva starring Lawrence, Vivekam starring Ajith and Yang mang chang starring Prabhudeva.
