Thamarai (born 10 November 1975) is an Indian poet and lyricist who writes in Tamil. She is a prominent figure in the Tamil literary world and has worked in Tamil cinema.
She made her debut in the Tamil film industry through the 1998 film Iniyavale, which was directed by Seeman and had music composed by Deva.
Life and career
Thamarai was born in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on 10 November 1975. She graduated from Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, in production engineering 1992-1996 Batch and worked for six years in Coimbatore. With her passion for poetry, she decided to move to Chennai, where she worked as a freelance journalist in an organization named Bhagya and wrote essays, stories and poems. Through her literary works, she became popular and got noticed. Director Seeman assigned her as lyricist for the song "Thendral Enthan" for his Tamil film Iniyavale. Subsequently, she wrote lyrics for films such as Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen ("Malligai Poove") and Thenali ("Injirango Injirango"). Her work together with music director Harris Jayaraj in Minnale marked the turning point in her film industry career, primarily noted for her song "Vaseegara" in the movie.
After Minnale, the trio, composed of director Gautham Vasudev Menon and music director Harris Jayaraj, teamed up several times again (Kaakha Kaakha, Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, Pachaikili Muthucharam and Vaaranam Aayiram) and were a very successful collaboration in the film field, until the break-up between Menon and Jayaraj happened. Since then, she is teaming up with A. R. Rahman, who replaced Jayaraj. Menon, Jayaraj and Thamarai teamed up again in July 2014 for the Ajith Kumar film Yennai Arindhaal. The film's album was released on 1 January 2015, and it was well-received by critics. She wrote" Neeraambal Poovae" from the movie Nannbenda, where she again worked for Harris Jayaraj. The song is sung by Arjun Menon.
Personal life
Thamarai was married to Thozhar Thiyagu. They have a son. Thamarai is a vegan and an advocate of animal rights.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Song(s) | Music composer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Iniyavale | "Thendral Enthan" | Deva |
| Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen | "Malligai Poove" | S. A. Rajkumar | |
| Pudhumai Pithan | "Onnu Rendu" | Deva | |
| 1999 | Kallazhagar | "Thoonda Thoonda" | |
| Viralukketha Veekkam | "Viralukketha Veekkam" | ||
| Kannodu Kanbathellam | "Ae Kuruvi" | ||
| Pudhu Kudithanam | "Nilavukku Yennadi" | ||
| Unnaruge Naan Irundhal | "Enthan Uyire" | ||
| 2000 | James Pandu | "Vennila Ethuvum" | S. A. Rajkumar |
| Veeranadai | "Singanadai" | Deva | |
| "Usuravechan Mama" | |||
| Thenali | "Injerungo Injerungo" | A. R. Rahman | |
| 2001 | Minnale | "Vaseegara" | Harris Jayaraj |
| "Iru Vizhi Unadhu" | |||
| "Ivan Yaaro" | |||
| Maayan | "Alli Kulathu" | Deva | |
| "Oru Naadu" | |||
| Aandan Adimai | "Enna Enna Paada" | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| Nandhaa | "Kalli Adi Kalli" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| Love Marriage | "Roja Malare" | Deva | |
| Samrat Asoka | All songs | Anu Malik | |
| Majunu | "Hari Gori" | Harris Jayaraj | |
| Kadhale Swasam | "Kadhale Kadhale Swasam", "Manam Valikkudhe" & "Summa Iru" | D. Imman | |
| 2002 | Thamizh | "Vikkuthey Vikkuthey" | Bharadwaj |
| 123 | "April Mazhai" | Deva | |
| Ezhumalai | "Un Punnagai" | Mani Sharma | |
| Run | "Panikaatrey" | Vidyasagar | |
| Namma Veetu Kalyanam | "Minnuthu Minnuthu" | S. A. Rajkumar | |
| Album | "Nilave Nilave" | Karthik Raja | |
| April Maadhathil | "Yea Nenje" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| Jaya | "Jinjinna Jinjinna" & "Nilave Nilave" | Bharani | |
| Mutham | "Laiko Laiko" | ||
| Vetri | All Songs | Harris Jayaraj | |
| 2003 | Chokka Thangam | "Vellai Manam" | Deva |
| Anbu | "Thavamindri Kidaitha" | Vidyasagar | |
| Saamy | "Idhu Thaana" | Harris Jayaraj | |
| Ice | "Nenjil Nenjil Un Per" & "Ore Oru Ganam" | Devi Sri Prasad | |
| Whistle | "Azhagiya Asura" | D. Imman | |
| Kaakha Kaakha | All Songs | Harris Jayaraj | |
| Alai | "En Ragasiya" | Vidyasagar | |
| 2004 | Engal Anna | "Mudhal Mudhalaga" | Deva |
| Jai | "Medhu Medhuvai" | Mani Sharma | |
| Pudhukottaiyilirundhu Saravanan | "Malargale Malargale" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| Thendral | "Adi Thozhi" & "Ye Penne" | Vidyasagar | |
| Varnajalam | "Nee Vendum" | ||
| Kadhal Dot Com | "Imaikkatha Vizhigal" | Bharadwaj | |
| Kuthu | "Ennai Theendi Vittai" | Srikanth Deva | |
| Perazhagan | "Oru Azhagana" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| Arasatchi | "Arakonathil Aarambam" & "O Muhalai Muhalai" | Harris Jayaraj | |
| Oru Murai Sollividu | "Eppadi Solvathu" | Bharadwaj | |
| Bose | "Doli Doli" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| Manathil | "Ennai Kadhalikamal" | Bharani | |
| 2005 | Jithan | "Ennai Thedi" | Srikanth Deva |
| ABCD | "Dhavam Ondru" | D. Imman | |
| Thotti Jaya | "Uyire En Uyire" & "Yaaridamum" | Harris Jayaraj | |
| Ghajini | "Oru Maalai" & "Rahathulla" | ||
| Kanda Naal Mudhal | All Songs | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| Sandakozhi | "Ketta Kodukkira Boomi" | ||
| Kadhalanathey | "Kadhal Kaara" | Deva | |
| 2006 | Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu | All Songs | Harris Jayaraj |
| Vallavan | "Vallava" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| Nenjil Jil Jil | "Kaadhal Thaana" | D. Imman | |
| Nenjirukkum Varai | "Oru Murai Piranthen" | Srikanth Deva | |
| 2007 | Pachaikili Muthucharam | All Songs except "Unakkul Naane" | Harris Jayaraj |
| Azhagiya Tamil Magan | "Kelamal" | A. R. Rahman | |
| Kannamoochi Yenada | All Songs | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| 2008 | Bheemaa | "Siru Paaravaiyaale" | Harris Jayaraj |
| Vaitheeswaran | "Kangalum Thoongathey" & "Mudhal Mudhal" | Srikanth Deva | |
| Subramaniapuram | "Kangal Irandal" | James Vasanthan | |
| Vaaranam Aayiram | All Songs except "Yethi Yethi" | Harris Jayaraj | |
| 2009 | Yaavarum Nalam | All Songs | Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy |
| Pasanga | "Oru Vetkam Varudhe" | James Vasanthan | |
| Saa Boo Thiri | "Putham Pudhidhai" | Abbas Rafi | |
| Aadhavan | "Yeno Yeno Panithuli" | Harris Jayaraj | |
| 2010 | Kutty | "Yaro En Nenjai" | Devi Sri Prasad |
| Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa | All Songs except "Aaromale" | A. R. Rahman | |
| 2011 | Thoonga Nagaram | "Koorana Paarvaigal" | Sundar C. Babu |
| Engeyum Kadhal | "Engeyum Kadhal" & "Lolita" | Harris Jayaraj | |
| Rowthiram | "Maalai Mangum Neram" | Prakash Nikki | |
| Vandhaan Vendraan | "Kanchana Mala" | Thaman S | |
| Vedi | "Enna Aachi" | Vijay Antony | |
| Vellore Maavattam | "Unnai Unnai" | Sundar C. Babu | |
| 2012 | Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal | All Songs | G. V. Prakash Kumar |
| Maattrraan | "Yaaro Yaaro" | Harris Jayaraj | |
| 2013 | Settai | "Arjuna Arjuna" | Thaman S |
| Endrendrum Punnagai | "Ennai Saaithaalae" | Harris Jayaraj | |
| 2014 | Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal | "Anbae Anbae" & "Vizhiyae Vizhiyae" | |
| Bramman | "Un Kannai" | Devi Sri Prasad | |
| Damaal Dumeel | "Pogadhae Pogadhae" | Thaman S | |
| Irumbu Kuthirai | All Songs except "Hello Brother" | G. V. Prakash Kumar | |
| Yaan | "Nee Vandhu Ponadhu" | Harris Jayaraj | |
| 2015 | Yennai Arindhaal | All Songs except "Adhaaru Adhaaru" | |
| Nannbenda | "Neeraambal Poovae" | ||
| Romeo Juliet | "Thoovaanam" | D. Imman | |
| Naanum Rowdy Dhaan | "Neeyum Naanum" | Anirudh Ravichander | |
| 2016 | Gethu | "Adiyae Adiyae" & "Thaen Kaatru" | Harris Jayaraj |
| Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum | "Akkam Pakkam Par" | Santhosh Narayanan | |
| Pencil | "Kangalilae" & "Yaarai Polum Illa Neeyum" | G. V. Prakash Kumar | |
| Meendum Oru Kadhal Kadhai | "Mohini" | ||
| Iru Mugan | "O Maya" | Harris Jayaraj | |
| Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada | "Raasali" & "Thalli Pogathey" | A. R. Rahman | |
| 2017 | Bogan | "Senthoora" | D. Imman |
| Si3 | "Mudhal Murai" | Harris Jayaraj | |
| Bongu | "Sollava" & "Vaanam" | Srikanth Deva | |
| Magalir Mattum | "Ghandhari Yaaro" | Ghibran | |
| Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru | "Oru Veetil" | ||
| 2018 | Thaanaa Serndha Koottam | "Engae Endru Povathu" | Anirudh Ravichander |
| Nagesh Thiraiyarangam | "Kangal Rendum" | Srikanth Deva | |
| Nimir | "Epodhum Unmael" & "Nenjil Mamazhai" | B. Ajaneesh Loknath | |
| 2019 | Viswasam | "Kannaana Kanney" | D. Imman |
| Dev | "Anangae Sinungalama" & "Oru Nooru Murai" | Harris Jayaraj | |
| Aruvam | "Aruvam Theme" | Thaman S | |
| Airaa | "Megathoodham" | K. S. Sundaramurthy | |
| Enai Noki Paayum Thota | All Songs | Darbuka Siva | |
| 2021 | Maara | All Songs | Ghibran |
| Bhoomi | "Kadai Kannaaley" | D. Imman | |
| Annaatthe | "Ennuyire" | ||
| 2022 | Anbarivu | "Thanga Sela" | Hiphop Tamizha |
| "Kannirendum" | |||
| Valimai | "Enna Kurai" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| Mudhal Nee Mudivum Nee | "Mudhal Nee Mudivum Nee" | Darbuka Siva | |
| Cobra | "Tharangini" | A. R. Rahman | |
| "Uyir Urugudhey" | |||
| Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu | "Kaalathukkum Nee Venum" | ||
| "Muthu's Journey" | |||
| "Marakuma Nenjam" | |||
| "Unna Nenachadhum" | |||
| "Mallipoo" | |||
| 2024 | Marakkuma Nenjam | "Saaral Aagindra Mazhai" | Sachin Warrier |
| "Netrum Indrum" | |||
| "Vaanilai" | |||
| Siren | "Netru Varai" | G. V. Prakash Kumar | |
| Indian 2 | "Neelorpam" | Anirudh Ravichander | |
| Brother | "Akka Song" | Harris Jayaraj | |
| Nirangal Moondru | "Megham Pol Aagi" | Jakes Bejoy | |
| 2025 | Ace | "Urugudhu Urugudhu" | ||
| TBA | Dhruva Natchathiram | "Oru Manam" | Harris Jayaraj |
| "Naracha Mudi" | |||
| "Arugil" |
Television
- 2003 Penn
- 2003 Ninaivugal
- 2009 Latchiyam
- 2013 Chithiram Pesuthadi
- 2013 Kurinji Malar
Awards
- Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Vaaranam Aayiram (2008)
- Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010)
- Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada (2016)
- Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Lyricist – Thenali (2000)
- Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award – Paavender Bharathidasan Award (2006)
- Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Lyricist – Thaainilam (2020)
- Ananda Vikatan Award for Best Lyricist – Vaaranam Aayiram (2008)
- Ananda Vikatan Award for Best Lyricist – Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010)
- Ananda Vikatan Award for Best Lyricist – for the song for "Thalli Pogathey" from Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada (2016)
- Ananda Vikatan Award for Best Lyricist – for the song "Yaar Azhaithathu" from Maara (2021)
- Vijay Award for Best Lyricist – Vaaranam Aayiram (2008)
- Vijay Award for Best Lyricist – Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal (2012)
- Other awards and recognition
- Cinema Express Award for Best Lyricist – Nandhaa (2001)
- ITFA Best Lyricist Award – Kaakha Kaakha (2003)
- Meera Isaiaruvi Tamil Music Award for Best Lyricist – Vaaranam Aayiram (2008)
- Zee Cine Awards - Best Lyricist for "Kaanana Kanney" - Viswasam (2020)
- Nominations
- Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Kaakha Kaakha (2003)
- Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Ghajini (2005)
- Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Subramaniapuram (2008)
- Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Pasanga (2009)
- Vijay Award for Best Lyricist – Pasanga (2009)
- Vijay Award for Best Lyricist – Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010)
- Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – 7aum Arivu (2011)
- Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Yennai Arindhaal (2015)
- SIIMA Award for Best Lyricist – Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada (2017)
- SIIMA Award for Best Lyricist – Viswasam
- SIIMA Award for Best Lyricist – Maara
