Vairamuthu Ramasamy (born 13 July 1953) is an Indian poet, lyricist and novelist working in the Tamil film industry. He is a prominent figure in the Tamil literary world. A master's graduate from the Pachaiyappa's College in Chennai, he first worked as a translator, while also being a published poet. He entered the Tamil film industry in the year 1980, with the film Nizhalgal, an Ilaiyaraaja musical, directed by P. Bharathiraja. During the course of his 40-year film career, he has written over 7,500 songs and poems which have won him seven National Awards, the most for any Indian lyricist. He has also been honored with a Padma Shri, a Padma Bhushan and a Sahitya Akademi Award, for his abundant literary output.
Published works
- In Tamil
- Vaikarai Megangal (1972)
- Thiruthi Ezhuthiiya Theerpugal (1979)
- Innoru Dhesiya Geetham (1982)
- Kavi Raajan Kadhai (1982)
- Idhu Varai Naan (1983) (his autobiography at the age of 28)
- En Pazhaiya Panai Oolaigal (1983)
- Vaanam Thottuvidum Thooramthan (1983)
- En Jannalin Vazhiye (1984)
- Mounathin Sapthangal (1984)
- Kalvettugal (1984)
- Kodi Marathin Vergal (1984)
- Kelvigalaal Oru Velvi (1984)
- Ratha Dhaanam (1985)
- Sirpiye Unnai Sethukukiren (1985)
- Netru Potta Kolam (1985)
- Meendum En Thottilukku (1986)
- Ella Nadhiyilum En Odam (1989)
- Vadugapatti Mudhal Volga Varai (1989)
- Indha Pookkal Virpanaikkalla (1991)
- Kaavi Nirathil oru Kaadhal (1991)
- Indha Kulathil Kal Erinthavargal (1991)
- Oru Porkkalamum Irandu Pookkalum (1991)
- Sigarangalai Nokki (1992)
- Idhanal Sakalamaanavargalukkum (1992)
- Villodu Vaa Nilave (1994)
- Thanneer Thesam (1996)
- Thamizhukku Niram Undu (1997)
- Peyyena Peyyum Mazhai (1999)*
- Vairamuthu Kavithaikal (2000)
- Kallikkaattu Ithihaasam (2001)
- Konjam Theneer Niraiya Vaanam (2005)
- Oru Giramathu Paravaiyum Sila kadalgalum (2005)
- Karuvaachi Kaaviyam (2006)
- Paarkadal (2008)
- Aayiram Paadalgal (2011)
- Moondram Ulaga Por (2013)
- Vairamuthu Sirukathaikal (2015)
- Tamizhatruppadai (2019)
- Works Published in other Languages
- Drops That Hop Without A Stop (Selected poems in English) – 2000 - Translated by Dr Vishnu Priya, Published by Hindi Hridaya, Chennai.
- A Drop in Search of the Ocean (Selected poems in English) – 2003 - Translated by Balan Menon, Published by Rupa & Co., New Delhi
- Vairamuthu Baavani (Selected poems in Hindi) – 2003 - Translated by Kamakshi subramaniam, Published by Hindi Hridaya, Chennai
- Bindhu Sindhu Ki Oor (Selected poems in Hindi) – 2004 - Translated by Dr Vishnu Priya, Published by Rajkamal Prakashan Pvt Ltd, New Delhi
- God Morgen Lyrikk (Selected Lyrics in Norwegian) – 2004 - Translated by Kowsihaa Gowrithasan, Published by Kowsihaa Gowrithasan, Norge
- Vairamuthu Ravara Muvathmuru Kavithegalu - 2009 (Selected poems in Kannada) - Translated by Prof. Malarvili, Published by Christ University Kannada, Bangalore.
- Siruthu Neram Manithanayi Irunthavan - 2017 (Selected short stories in Malayalam) - Translated by K.S.Venkitachalam, Published by Mathrubhumi Books, Kozhikode
- Nākapani Vaṉkā Itihāsh (Kallikkattu Ithihaasam) – 2017 - (Sahitya Akademi Award Winning Novel & FICCI Book of the Year Award –2018) - Translated by H.Balasubramaniam, Published by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi