Lyricist Karthik Netha on the story behind ‘Thug Life’’s ‘Vinveli Nayaga’

Karthik Netha's poetic lyrics in 'Vinveli Nayaga' from AR Rahman's album for Thug Life receive praise in Tamil Nadu.

‘Vinveli Nayaga’ is the song of the moment in Tamil Nadu. It is from AR Rahman’s album for the soon-to-release Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan starrer Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam. The song has some beautiful poetry by Karthik Netha, woven into its electrifying rhythm. The poet-lyricist has also written lines for the song ‘Anju Vanna Poove’ from the film. An elated Karthik says that he is happy his endeavour to bring good poetry into film songs is being received well.  

Karthik Netha can be credited with coining the title ‘Vinveli nayaga’ for Kamal Haasan. Only a few months ago, the actor made news by requesting that he not be referred to as ‘Ulaganayagan’ that was bestowed upon him by his fans. However, he now has a new title that transcends planets.

The spark for the term came from Rahman. “He had originally titled the track ‘Space Hero’,” explains Karthik, adding that he came up with a suitable Tamil term that fit into the song’s tune and requirements. “Rahman sir sent me the track in November 2023 and by January 2024, we were done working on it,” says Karthik.

Working with Mani Ratnam and Rahman, Karthik says, was like “sitting in front of masters to learn”. The four months between the end of 2023 and 2024 when the songs came alive, Karthik recalls, were filled with moments of learning and wonder. He remembers how when he first heard the track ‘Anju Vanna Poove’ in Rahman’s voice, words began to flow without himself realising it. “I wrote everything at one go,” he explains, adding that once he listened to the track, it stayed in his mind, and he later edited his lines to go with the tune.

“Mani sir would explain the situation to me, and I would write the song and send it to him. He would edit it and forward it to Rahman sir,” says Karthik, talking about how the two songs were the result of to-and-fro among the three of them.

Karthik finds the process of writing a song for a pre-composed tune creatively enriching. “A certain rhythm exists in my mind into which my words fit when I set out to write,” he explains, adding that this rhythm tends to make him stick to his usual voice. “But when a tune comes from outside, I will arrive at a rhythm that is completely new. This triggers the mind to come up with something fresh.”

This exchange between composer and lyricist, Karthik feels, is like an intimate conversation between lovers. “We give the composer’s emotions and feelings words and structure, for every tune has the composer’s soul in it,” he says. In ‘Anju Vanna Poove’, Mani Ratnam’s brief to the lyricist was to render the feeling of motherly love, tinged with longing for her child. “I thought of my mother when I wrote it,” recalls Karthik, “I reflected on how it would be if she sang for me. Thoughts of my son too flashed by.” He adds that another song that he fondly remembered while writing ‘Anju…’ was Kannadasan’s gem, ‘Kaalamidhu Kaalamidhu Kannurangu Magalae’.