Pottuvil Asmin : A Beacon in the Sea of Contemporary Tamil Lyrics
This is an era overflowing with poetry! Music has become mere noise, and song lyrics are just a form of background chatter. Yet, amidst this landscape, a few are elevating film songs to the status of literary art. On one side, the film industry hails lyric engineers seeking Tamil verses through software, while Tamil cinema’s unique specialty lies in its exceptional warmth towards good poets.
Sri Lankan poet Pottuvil Asmin who belongs to the latter group has captured the attention of song lovers. With a substantial global following, Asmin stands out among Tamil lyricists on social media platforms.
Young and proficient in mastering the language, Sri Lankan poet Pottuvil Asmin exhibits a distinguished talent in his poetry. His works reveal thoughtfulness and imagination across various themes. His poem ‘Porumai’ is a testament to his deep passion and linguistic skill.
Twelve years ago, eminent poet Vairamuthu praised Asmin, acknowledging him as a prominent poet in Sri Lanka’s literary and media sectors.
A versatile figure, Asmin is a traditional poet, television show producer, presenter, author, and lyricist. He gained recognition in Tamil cinema by winning a global song-writing competition among 20,000 participants, leading to his introduction as a lyricist in Vijay Antony’s film ‘Naan’ with the song ‘Thappellam Thappe Illai.’
Asmin’s roots trace back to Devipattinam in Ramanathapuram, India, which he fervently calls his native land, while Sri Lanka is his birthplace. His song ‘Ayyosami Nee Enakku Venaam’ became the first Tamil song in Sri Lanka to receive over 60 million views and win the ‘People’s Award.’
His poem ‘Vaaney Idindhathamma,’ written in memory of the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, moved even her political adversaries to tears, and the song played continuously for two months at her memorial. Asmin was praised by Sasikala at Poes Garden.
In Vairamuthu’s recently released poetry collection “Kalaignar 100 Kavidhaigal 100,” Asmin’s poem ‘Thirukkuvalai Sooriyan’ is featured.
His promotional songs for films like ‘Kochadaiyaan,’ ‘Annatthe,’ and ‘Viswasam’ became viral among Tamil cinema enthusiasts. Additionally, he penned the song ‘Ezhuvadhana Isaiyae,’ a tribute by Sri Lankan Tamil artistes to the late SP Balasubrahmanyam.
Asmin’s song ‘Pongada Naanga Pongaladaa,’ written during the Indian farmer suicides, deeply expressed the plight of farmers. The song ‘Naanga Vaazhanumaa Saaganumaa Sollunga,’ performed by actor-director T Rajendhar during the Sri Lankan political revolution, resonated as a battle cry in the protests.
Engaged in literature for over twenty-seven years, Asmin has published poetry collections such as ‘Vidai Thedum Vinakkal’ (2001), ‘Vidiyalin Raagangal’ (2002), and ‘Paambugal Kulikkum Nadhi’ (2013).
Selvi T. Kausalya from Bharathiyar University conducted her postgraduate research on Asmin’s poetry under the title ‘Pottuvil Asmin’s Nature Descriptions and Social Elements,’ earning her degree.
Asmin has received accolades from Sri Lankan President’s hands twice and won the “Golden Medal” in an all-Sri Lankan poetry competition held by Peradeniya University in 2003. In 2019, the Sri Lankan government honoured him with the “Kalachudar” award, and the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Arts awarded him the International Poet Kannadasan Award at a global poetry conference held in Cambodia.
In 2011, at an international poetry event in Malaysia, organised by poet Abdul Rahman, he received praise from the acclaimed poet.
Asmin’s poem ‘Thattadhe Thirandhu Kidakkiradhu’ was highly appreciated by directors Lingusamy, A. Venkatesh, and Rasaiah Kannan.
He has written songs for serials such as ‘Jameela,’ aired on Colors TV under Radaan Productions, and ‘Thaayammaa Kudumbathar’ on DD Podhigai.
The song ‘Thaagam Theera Kaanal Neerai Kaadhalinru Kaattudhe’ from the film ‘Amarakaviyam,’ composed by Ghibran earned him the ‘Edison Award’ for Best Lyricist.
His songs in Taj Noor’s music like ‘Chandaalane,’ Srikanth Deva’s ‘Muthu Muthu Karuvaya,’ and ‘Nee Eththana Pera Konnu Irukka Muttakannaala’ have gained millions of hits.
His independent songs ‘Maamakuttima’ sung by Thenisai Thendral Deva and composed by Srikanth Deva, and ‘Gnayire’ sung by G V Prakash and London-based singer Shamini Selva Ramesh are set to be released soon.
For the first time, Asmin’s wrote lyrics for all songs i the film ‘Endha Nerathilum,’ directed by R. Muthukumar in 2017. His lyrics in the film showcased a blend of Tamil traditional and modern elements.
Here is an example:
“Isaac Newton
scientist kanda
Apple pennaai aanadhe…
WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook ellam
Ivalin pinne ponaadhe…
Googulaale
Ivala thedi
Yahoo alaigiradhe…
iPhone ivala paarthu
Love you solgiradhe
Viberae Wi-Fina nenachidu ennai
Ciphera nenaikkaadhe…
Oh, life-la knife erinjidamaatten
Skype-la moraikkaadhe…”
After 14 years as a program producer and announcer at Sri Lanka’s Vasantham TV, Asmin now dedicates himself fully to writing lyrics in Tamil cinema.
His upcoming works include songs written for films such as ‘Thirumbi Paar,’ ‘Baila,’ ‘UR NEXT,’ ‘The Studio,’ ‘Binocular’, ‘Naalaiya Maatram,’ ‘Neerupootha Neruppu,’ ‘Kaama,’ Konja “Naal Poru Maname” and other yet-to-be titled projects. Will Pottuvil Asmin create a new wave in Tamil cinema lyrics? Well, time will answer.
