What do you think about today's film songs?
I feel the quality should improve.
Which is easier — writing devotional or film songs?
As far as I am concerned, writing film songs is easier. A spiritual bent of mind and a thorough knowledge of the subject are required to pen devotional songs. Besides, the words used should be chaste. For films, I write what appeals to the directors without diluting the standard.
Have you tried anything new in lyric-writing?
I have explained the essence of ‘Tirukkural' in the form of lyrics and singers such as S. P. Balasubramanium have sung it. With one song for one Athigaram , there are 133 songs in all. The MP3 CD is going to be released by the Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Jagathratshagan.
Do you always write lyrics to a tune or is it the other way round?
I am fine with both. I have written hundreds of lyrics to tunes. In films, it is easier as you're writing to tailor-made situations.
Why have you not written more of film songs?
I have written nearly 1,200 songs for films and 4,000 devotional numbers. For some reason, filmmakers are of the view that I will not write the kind of songs that are popular today. But I can write lyrics of high standard even for ‘kuthu' numbers.
Do we need songs in films?
This is a debatable question. In those days, there were 30 to 40 songs in a film. The present generation too looks for good film music and songs of their liking. Melody now rules and I hope to write good songs in films.
