Veteran music composer and younger brother of maestro Ilaiyaraaja, Gangai Amaran, has stepped into the ongoing conflict between Ilaiyaraaja and Vairamuthu, adding fuel to the fire in the Kollywood scene. Vairamuthu made his cinema debut with the song “Idhu Oru Ponmalai Pozhudhu” in the movie Nizhalgal, composed by Ilaiyaraaja. While their collaboration began successfully, their partnership soured due to personal egos, leading to indirect attacks on each other ever since.
At a recent music launch event for the film “Padikkadha Pakkangal” on 27 April 2024, Vairamuthu indirectly criticized Ilaiyaraaja, sparking further tension. Responding to Vairamuthu’s perceived retaliation against Ilaiyaraaja’s copyright claims, Gangai Amaran, issued a stern public warning to Vairamuthu.
Vairamuthu had earlier remarked, “There is a complex (debate) is being talked about, Whether the music is great in songs? Or the lyrical language? No doubt about it, music is as important as the lyrics and language is as important as the music. If both come together, it is called a song. Sometimes the language seems bigger than the music and on the other, music seems bigger than the language. He who understands this is wise, and he who does not understand is ignorant.“
Gangai Amaran expressed disappointment in Vairamuthu’s actions, highlighting the betrayal felt by someone who rose alongside them but later turned against them. He emphasized that Vairamuthu’s pride, born from the success of his songs, contrasts sharply with the humility that would have preserved their friendship had it continued. Gangai Amaran cautioned Vairamuthu against further criticism of Ilayaraja, warning of repercussions if he persists.
Gangai Amaran retaliated, “He (Vairamuthu) has been raised by us, the one who was lifted up by us, the one who got on the lift to write a song; Ponmalai Pozhudhu was written by him. He gave an interview as if he has trampled on the place he came from and had thrown up the seat and broken it. If Bharathiraja had not requested, Ilaiyaraaja would not have accepted. If he had thought about all that, he would not have given such an interview now. Once his songs gained popularity, Vairamuthu became arrogant. This arrogance would not have come if he had continued to write songs with Ilaiyaraaja. Because both of them would have talked and behaved as good friends, we would have enjoyed seeing all that. We didn’t expect him to spoil the friendship like this. It is not necessary that lyrics remain in people’s memory, it is the tune/the music, as far as I am concerned. As far as the songs are concerned, Vairamuthu is a good poet, but not a good man, nor a good intellect.”
He further said, “Vairamuthu should pray to Ilaiyaraaja’s photo, had it not been for Ilaiyaraaja, Vairamuthu would have been a nobody.”
Additionally, Gangai Amaran cautioned Vairamuthu that any future grievances or criticisms directed towards Ilaiyaraaja will result in alternative repercussions. He strongly advised Vairamuthu to cease discussing Ilaiyaraaja entirely, urging him to focus solely on his own endeavors, much like Ilayaraja diligently attends to his own work. Lastly, Gangai Amaran criticized Vairamuthu’s practice of demanding bulk purchases of his books as a condition for participating in interviews, suggesting a facetiousness in Vairamuthu’s demeanor.
This public confrontation between Gangai Amaran and Vairamuthu has stirred up significant attention in Kollywood, reigniting the cold war between Ilaiyaraaja and Vairamuthu. Fans are now anticipating whether Vairamuthu will retaliate against Gangai Amaran, heightening the drama surrounding this unexpected turn of events.
"வைரமுத்து நல்ல மனுஷனே கிடையாது".. இளையராஜாவும் நானும் இல்லனா அவரு '0' – கங்கை அமரன் #Vairamuthu | #Ilayaraja | #GangaiAmaran | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/1cyBFWrvBx
— Polimer News (@polimernews) April 30, 2024
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