Padma Bhushan for Vairamuthu

Noted lyricist Vairamuthu will be conferred the Padma Bhushan award. The news came on the eve of Republic Day. The lyricist has over 2,000 songs to his credit and he will receive the award for his contribution to Tamil literature and cinema.

Vairamuthu debuted as a lyricist in 1980 with the Tamil drama Nizhagal. He has won the National Award for best lyricist six times earlier. He is a recipient of Padma Shri in the year 2003.

Apart from songs, he has written several books which include Thaneer Thesam, Kallikattu Idhihasam, Karuvaachi Kaaviyam and Sirpiye Unnai Sedhukukiraen.

His combination with AR Rahman has produced several chart busters.