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

Muthulingam's iconic songs shaped political campaigns and led to many films becoming a hit

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 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’?”

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.”