Lyrics
Film song lyrics are sometimes the best form of poetry. The poet doesn’t have to communicate a message – the message being a familiar one, therefore, can concentrate on its structure and style. On the other hand, a poet or a writer is worried about the message that needs to be conveyed. Which means styling takes the backseat.
Some classic tamil film songs (80s Illayaraja) and very few modern songs have that perfect mix of evocative lyrics, brilliant music, and great theming.
Tamil film’s most popular lyricist – a guy called Vairamuthu (The Diamond Pearl, what a name) – was able to squeeze words into meanings, and meanings into words. A pity he no longer is able to do that.
As I mentioned earlier, A writer needs to convey a message, and styling is only secondary to the said communication. A writer in the field of advertising, therefore, has to more often, kill all his darlings. The more a writer likes his words, and his style, the less his message will be liked by the great boon to advertising, the clients and their lackeys, the client servicing people.
The message is the message, said Bob Levenson. People tend to take it a bit too seriously.
About
Chandrachoodan Gopalakrishnan is a copywriter, photographer and goofball from Chennai. He is also an archaeologist, historian and a city lover. He is currently a documentary film-maker and desk-monkey for a film production house.
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May 21st, 2005 - 23:48
What do u mean he is not able to to it anymore ?
Maybe the number of lyricists have increased… Despite that, whatever songs he wirtes lingers..
Heard his songs from “Jay Jay”, “Vasool Raja”, “Autograph” ???