As the filmmaker turns 35, we give you 16 of his most popular lyricals

Slideshows

Happy Birthday Vignesh Shivan: 16 times the 'poet-u' in the filmmaker stamped his mark

The director, who made his debut with Simbu's Poda Podi, has since then gone to make Naanum Rowdy Dhaan with Vijay Sethupathi, and Thaana Serndha Koottam with Suriya. In addition, he has penned the lyrics for nearly 25 songs, including a number of independent music albums.

Team CE

Published:18th Sep, 2019 at 2:51 PM

HareRama HareKrishna (Poda Podi): This Vignesh lyrical is almost an ode to youthful angst. The track plays out as a cheeky prayer to the lord to save the love between the leads or whatever they share.

Engadi Poranthae (Vanakkam Chennai): This Tom and Jerry-style, fun track with lines like Monday nee mundam.. Tuesday nee thendam, Wednesday thedi... Vantha kandam, is a celebration of irreverence.

Chancey Illa (Single for Madras Day): Vignesh, along with Anirudh, celebrates the true spirit of Chennai in this heartfelt tribute to the city. (Namma chennai pola Vera oorae illa)

Adhaaru Adhaaru (Yennai Arindhaal): A massy, intro-song for Ajith that takes the story forward, without being a formulaic speed-breaker! Say no more, says Vignesh, and gives this beauty.

Enakenna Yaarum llaye (Aakko- Single for Valentine's day): This ballad-style romantic song that talks about the pain of a break-up screams of Vignesh Shivan in each of its verses.

Thappa Dhaan Theriyum (Maari): How better to nail the conflicted character-sketch of Chennai's naughtiest don? (Konjam Wrongathaan Irukkum Aaana Rite-u, Sariyaana Payalaam Get Out-u!)

Yennai Maatrum Kadhale (Naanum Rowdy Dhaan): This lovely track, which affirms the power of true-love, launched Vignesh finally into the big league. (Vali illaamal vaazhum Vaazhkkaiyae Thaevai Illa!)

Avalukena (Valentine's special single): There are few things in this world as amazing as love. Vignesh Shivan joins hands with Anirudh, yet again, for this breath-taking celebration of romance.

Senjitaley (Remo): This chart-topper has the dubious distinction of becoming an instant earworm with its incredibly catchy hook-lines. Sample this: Hey iruttu room la, LED Lighta potutta!

Showkali (AYM): This Vignesh-esque track - a paean to the hip-hop genre - pans out as a war of words between a group of bikers on what's more alluring - girls or bikes!

Solli Tholaiyen Ma (Yaakkai): This peppy Yuvan composition, written by Vignesh and sung by Dhanush, rocked the FM stations for almost an year. Enough said.

Onnume Aagala (Valentine's day single): This Vignesh Shivan-special, dealing with life after a break-up and how a single thought of the good times brings back a million memories, is one for the ages.

Karuppu Vellai (Vikram Vedha): Going out of his comfort zone of romance, Vignesh Shivan pens this dark and existential track that pits black against white, and questions the stand of the greys.

Sodakku Mela (Thaanaa Serndha Koottam): This viral, hum-worthy track has all the must-haves of a chartbuster - peppy beats, and interesting, colloquial lines by Vignesh.

Bad Boy (Saaho - Tamil): The special song from Prabhas' Saaho was penned in Tamil by Vignesh Shivan, making it his first song for a multi-starrer.

Enga Annan(Namma Veettu Pillai): Vignesh's first tryst with rural lyrics came in the form of the first single of Sivakarthikeyan's NVP. The cheery song brilliantly encapsulates the brother-sister bond