Vaali releases Kalaignar biography

By: Settu Shankar
Friday, October 26, 2007

In yet another tribute to chief minister M. Karunanidhi, leading lyricist Vaali is releasing his biography titled Kalaignar Kaaviyam in audio form. The biography has been written in verse, which Vaali reads to the accompaniment of music. The CDs with Vaali's verses that have been brought out will be released on October 28. They will be available with booklets also containing the verses.

Vaali said that the biography was a compilation of selected verses that he had written on different occasions on different aspects of the Kalaignar's life. "A few years ago, it was published as a book and I have selected suitable verses for the CD. The real surprise is the foreword note. It was written by none other than Cho, a strong critic and editor of Thuglak, of course one of my close friends!" he told.

The biography recorded on two CDs that runs into 23 chapters and for two hours. It is the novel effort of its producer Kamalraj of the C-VAA EXX foundation. He told media persons on Wednesday that his foundation would concentrate on direct sale instead of distributing the CDs to the dealers. "The only way to prevent piracy is to do door-to-door sales," he said. The CDs are priced at Rs 123.Also he said: "One cannot find a trace of party colour in my attempt. We are targeting a larger audience, who love Kalaignar's tamil and poetry…"

Sankara, the son of late lyricist Ulundurpettai Shanmugam is scoring music for this project. He told, "Nothing could be more challenging than scoring music for poetry reading." Film director and actor S.J Suryah who were present on the occasion requested the producers to release a video CD of the biography too. The release function of the CDs will be held at the Kamarajar Arangam on Sunday.

Veteran music director M.S.Viswanathan will release the CDs and AVM Saravanan will receive the same. Dravidar Kazhagam leader K.Veeramani, Communist leader R.Nallakannu, MGR Kazhagam Leader Rm. Veerappan and many other top politicians, film personalities will participate in the function. Vaali also hinted that Kalaignar is also expected to attend the function.