Chennai: Tamil lyricist and scholar Pulamaipithan who was known as the "Arasavai Kavignar or Poet Laureate '' passed away after prolonged illness at a private hospital in Chennai on Tuesday. He was 86.
Pulamaipithan was also the former deputy chairman of Tamil Nadu Legislative Council and has served as the presidium chairman of AIADMK.
According to reports, the legendary lyricsts has penned songs for several superstars including former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MG Ramachandran, "Shivaji '' Ganesan, Rajinikanth, Kamal Hassan and Actor Vijay. He has written songs for famous movies including Adimai Penn, Netru Indru Naalai (1974), Needhiku Thalaivanangu, Sivagamiyin Selvan, Kaaki Sattai (1985), Nayakan, Jayam and Rojavin Raja. He even wrote the lyrics for one of the songs in hit Tamil film "Theri '' starring Vijay.
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Pulavar Pulamaipithan, was born as Ramasamy in Coimbatore, and initially worked in a textile mill. He then worked as a teacher and moved to Chennai in 1964 with his aspirations to become a lyricist. Later, he quit his full time job as a teacher and became a lyricist. As a songwriter, Pulaimaipithan shaped the views of several top stars and political figures. He also gave an undiminishing image to MGR through his lyrics and soon became the poet laureate of MGR’s government.
One of the famous songs of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MG Ramachandran that later helped MGR with his political campaigns for Tamil Nadu Assembly Election to elect him as Chief Minister of the state was written by Pulamaipithan. "Neenga Nalla Irukanum Naadu Munneera Intha Naatil Ulla Ezhaigalin Vaazhvu Munnera'' (You should stay in good health for the development of the country and for the development of the downtrodden in the country), he wrote for the movie Idhayakkani in 1975. However, the demise of the writer has made people pour their condolences from all quarters.