BW: A brief introduction

Snehan: Normally, I am not in favor of talking about myself. It has nothing to do with modesty or humility. There is a profound universal philosophy behind this. It is not necessary to talk about oneself to known people because they know you already. For those who do not know me, I don’t have to tell about me as they would not need me. However, as I belong to film world, I need to talk about myself and my origin for a few promotional purposes. So here I go.

About your family?

I am born in an ordinary Indian farmer’s family belonging to Pudukariapatti of Tanjore district. Even now, my parents cannot fathom my work because they are not educated. They only know love and warmth which they shower on me abundantly. My village, my people, my work and my culture are completely different. So, in such a scenario, I left for Chennai to honor Vairamuthu’s calling, facing a lot of opposition from my family.

What prompted you to leave Vairamuthu?

I stayed as Vairamuthu’s assistant for four and a half years. I left him when I understood about the pseudo scenario and the bogus people which were stifling. Then I started on my own. Due to some incongruity and suppression by few people, I wanted to stand erect and prove my worth. I have a very nasty habit - whenever I am asked to refrain from doing some thing, I would transform myself to do what is being forbidden. This is my strength. This has helped me stand in front of you as a lyricist, as a writer and as a socially conscious being. I have earned this position in life after many struggles.

What made you take to acting in Yogi?

It was not my decision to act. Ameer is my very good friend. I have always seen him as a director and he has seen me as a poet. Our relationship is very different. We are like secret lovers, good friends and so on. We have fought with each other many times; we have had differences of opinions; we have argued with each other. But we have never let each other down. I have penned lyrics for his films. Once he told me he wanted me to act in his film. I took it light and said I know nothing about acting. But he insisted that he wanted someone who does not know acting. I cannot refuse a friend. Moreover, I am very confident that Ameer would only think and do good for Snehan. You might even question me if I would do anything for him with eyes closed. Yes, I would do anything for him as he has never done or thought

Experience working in Yogi?

Acting in Yogi is equal to acting in three movies. For a person like me who was used to sitting in an AC room, penning lyrics, interacting with directors and musicians, meeting technicians who slog it out in the hot sun, unkind weather and other such vagaries of nature was an eye-opener and a completely different understanding. Each day was an experience. There were days when I have fainted not able to withstand the slums because I have not seen such a thing. I have seen artistes staying in their caravans, resting between shots and people attending to them. But such was not the case with Yogi. There were days when we had to shoot amidst filth and trash and it took a while for me to acclimatize myself. Though Ameer sympathized with me, I am thankful to him for teaching me the other side of life and I was a transformed soul after three months. Even my language changed. I have no bad habits and I am even called a ‘samiyar’. But in Yogi, my character has all the vices and when I used to lament about this, Subramania Siva would placate me saying it is only acting. When there were many takes of mine, I was anxious that I was not doing my job. But cameraman would tell me that each shot is better than the previous one and they are only trying to select the best of the best.

How was Ameer during the shooting?

It was difficult to approach Ameer. Although he shouted at others, he used to be mild with me probably because of our friendship. When he was angry with me, he used to convey it through Subramania Siva. Even this indirect annoyance upset me and I was waiting get out of the film. Gradually I came to terms with everything as I am also a socially responsible person. I realized that when so many people are undergoing hell everyday, it was just acting for me and that too for a short duration. I slowly became the character that I was playing.

Do you have plans to continue acting?

This solely depends on the circumstances and my friends. After I started working in Yogi, at least forty people have approached me to act as hero. I don’t understand what is it that they see in me because I am after all a poet. Perhaps it is to do with my congenial nature. Even if I like a few scripts, I may accept a few friends’ films on the condition that acting should not come in the way of my writing.

You have met former TN CM Jayalalitha with a garland of poetries. Is it because you also want to lean on to some political party?

Nobody has asked me this question but it should be asked. And hence I would like to give a detailed reply. Knowingly or unknowingly we are all slaves of MGR and in that context I wanted to meet Amma. But I was made into a politician and a political color was given to my meeting. In fact a seat to contest the assembly election was offered to me. But a few well-wishers asked me not to take the plunge. As per police report, people report and caste report of my constituency, my name figured on top and it was Amma who called for me. I did not want to meet her empty handed and hence I took a garland of poetries. I am not concerned about her political standing or personal life. I admire her as a woman who has withstood many a troubled times and for her endurance. Her opponent DMK is replete with powerful and knowledgeable people. But it is not the case with AIADMK. Despite this, she has held her party in tight control which amazes me. This was the main reason I met her. She also suggested me to contest the election but felt I was too young for politics. I left the decision making to her and she asked me to hang on for a while.

You were recently involved in a controversy associated with ‘hugging’. Your comment?

You are referring to it in a very polite manner but the media had projected it crassly. I call this as an ‘affectionate bonding’. This is similar to the hug that a child runs and gives to his/her mother the moment she is spotted. This is an innate nature and is not an acquired one. It is an expression of love and affection of every human being. Even at an international level, leaders of countries hug each other to express camaraderie and friendship. Recently, AR Rahman composed music for International Hug Day. A similar act of ours was grossly misrepresented by media, which later apologized to me. Whatever be their motive, this fetched me enough publicity. People are aware that Snehan would not harm the society. I am not against culture or society. Because I want my generation and my society to rise in life, I have started an organization called Dynamic Self Awakening, which has around one and a half lakh members from various section of the society like doctors, teachers, police officials, IAS officers etc. If our act was on the wrong side, I am sure they would have raised their opinion. Hug is something that happens for a few minutes but we render training for this for

been rejected due to the interference of politicians. If this is the criteria for awards, I don’t want to apply for it. Thangar Bachchan argued with me to submit my bio-data for awards but I refused to do so. My awards are given by my people. If my poetries are understood by a boy who is herding cattle in a remote village or an old woman who is trying to eke out a living by drying cow dung, that is the biggest award for me. I would rather prefer awards be given than purchased. That’s the reason I started Snehan Seyalagam, which honors best artistes, best social worker, best works and so on.

You recently stated that Vairamuthu does not appreciate the good works of his apprentices. What are the reasons for such a statement?

In Snehan’s book of life, the name Vairamuthu is a prominent feature. He was responsible for uprooting me from a remote village and showing me a different world. There are many qualities in him which amaze me and that was the reason I stayed with him for four and a half years. Although he has penned innumerable number of poetries, the one that made an impact on me is ‘Enai Thedum Megam’ which made me feel that after Bharathi, Tamil has got a pompous poet. I like arrogance because an artiste with pride only can create quality works. This is what lured me to Vairamuthu from whom I have learnt many things. I consider his Trustpuram house to be my Bodi tree where my enlightenment took place. Under such a circumstance, I feel sad that Vairamuthu neither has the tongue nor the heart to appreciate his disciples’ good work. This is what hurts me the most. That is why I recently told the media that our relationship is like dad-son’s. If he is unhappy with me, he has every right to pull me up and question. At the same time, if we do well, he should praise us. If he is not going to

Which music director are you comfortable working with?

Don’t expect me to answer like any other cinema personality. I am comfortable with everyone. Be it a music director or a director, when I go, I go as a poet but come out as a friend. I have always given lyrics which stand out on their own and at the same time bring out the essence and beauty of music. I like everyone but my special thanks are due to two people. They are Bharadwaj and Yuvan Shankar Raja. Bharadwaj taught me how to write poetries for film music and has helped me gain recognition through ‘Avaravar Vazhkayil’. Secondly, I have always liked Yuvan who is like my secret paramour. He does not try to bend music for his taste but instead he inflects to music. I also like melody man Mani Sharma’s Sakkarai Nilave. I have sung the song around one thousand times. I like Vidya Sagar’s En Samayal Arayil. And the list goes on.

Compare current lyrics with that of old times

I always say a creation of a specific period should be compared only with its contemporaries. Would you hear Kannadasan’s songs now? In those days, in a story there were many events but today an event alone is being filmed. This is the truth. In such a scenario, tastes change and it is wrong to compare Kannadasan with Vairamuthu. I always tell openly that there are numerous Kannadasans and Vairamuthus in the world who did not get adequate publicity and they remain ordinary. There is an unwritten rule in Tamil Nadu according to which a known face is a genius while the unknowns are simpletons. If I were to live during Kannadasan’s period, I would have written like him and vice versa. This is the need for the hour. Times change and accordingly the requirements change. There was a time when we shouted loudly to be heard in a trunk call. Today, we talk through our cell phones in our bedroom in hushed tones. When we are able to accept this change why not we accept the change in literature? The current generation laps up such works. The times where people listened to messages and sermons have gone past. You don’t find failed films being copied; instead only the successful ones are being aped. The successful songs are the ones which are in tune with the current time period. Hence please do not compare the works of a current period with bygone eras. The fans, if they don’t like a film or a song, move on to the next one. However, it is only the reviews which are always clinging on to the ghosts of yore. That’s why I don’t take any assessments coming from Tamil Nadu because no review is correct. You are leaving away the roots but harp on leaves, branches and flowers. A review should be balanced and unbiased. But here, it is like a cat on the wall which can incline any side. In the same way, there is another dispute – tune for lyrics or lyrics for tunes. Song is for the film and for the story, that’s all! This argument has caused the biggest drift of our times between Ilayaraja and Vairamuthu. If only they had remained together for some more time, it would have resulted in some more brilliant creations.

What is the status on your work on poetries?

I am going to bring out four poetry collections soon. One will be like my biography which I had written for a Malaysian media for 100 weeks titled ‘Avaravar Vazhkaiyil’. The second one is a poetry compilation called ‘Naan’. Another one is written for men by women. The fourth one is tiled ‘Dinasari Nangu Kaatchigal’.

Your future film projects?

I have agreed for three films but have signed one. I will do these films provided they don’t hamper my writing pursuits.

Can you say something about social service activities that you are involved in?

I am doing this for my personal satisfaction. In my village, there are many who are finding it difficult to educate their wards. My parents have also not educated me on my favorite lines. It has nothing to do with financials but due to lack of awareness about culture and civilization. I wanted to study law or join Navy. I was not able to do these two things because nobody knew what this is all about. But I want to help people during my lifetime itself. That’s why I am into helping fellow humans. My social activities will continue during and even after my life time. That’s how I have worked for. I have not spoken about these things to media because I don’t want it to become an advertisement campaign. I am helping many children in their education. I am also running a few ashrams. When the time is right, I will announce it to the world.