Another Bharathi's classic. Nice composition by MS Viswanathan. Jukebox has Ilaiyaraja's version.

Nallathore Veenai Seithe,
Athai nalan keda
puzhithiyil erivathundo? ...

[Context: A poem/song pleading to the god Sakthi ...
Translation: After making a beautiful veena (a musical instrument), will someone throw into a dust? ..
... .... ... ...]

In addition to 5000 movie song lyrics, Kannadasan is credited with 6000 poems and 232 books - novels, epics, plays and essays. A philosophical song from his collection which captured the minds of millions.

"Veedu varai uravu
Veethi varai manivi
Kaadu varai pillai
Kadaisi varai yaaro .."

[Context: A philosophical song describing the extent of relationship in the context of Hindu culture ...
Translation:
Relationship with kith and kin ends with home,
Relationship with wife ends at home,
Relationship with son ends at burial ground,
Which relationship is eternal? ]

Vaali, penning from 1963 was nominated for Padma Shri award for his literary work. His famous work includes “Tharai mel pirakka vaithai” (Padakotti) “Atho antha paravai pola vazha vendum” (Ayirathil Oruvan) to his latest "Ponnar Sankar". Vaali transformed himself into fusion-lyricist when he started introducing words from other languages into Tamil songs. In our picks we have picked 2 of his best hits not his fusion hits :-)

"Madai thiranthu aadum nathi alai thaan,
Manam thiranthu koovum siru kuyil naan ... "
[Translation:
I am a dancing river wave streaming out of a dam,
I am a cuckoo bird singing from my heart ...]

This song announced the arrival of another national award winning poet - Vairamuthu. He along with Javed Akhtar holds the record for securing 5 National Awards for the best song lyrics.

This song also marked the beginning of songs (poem) which were metaphoric and which used lot of imagery. No one would have described a dusk better than this :-) Again, Ilayaraja needs a special mention for the composition.

"Vaanam enakkoru bhodi maram
Naalum enakkathu sethi tharum"

[Translation: The sky is a fig (bhodi) tree, which provides news to me every day.. ) ]

Pa.Vijay - recent Indian National award winner for his song lyric "Ovvoru pookalume" for movie 'Autograph'. He was introduced by Bhagyaraj for his movie 'Gnanapazham'. Unfortunately, his song never ended up in the movie.

He got noticed for his song “karuppu than enakku pidicha coloru” and became popular with "Unnale, Unnale" song "June ponal.. ". Vaali pronounced him as his "kalai varisu" (successor in his art).

We have picked a song from from the movie Ayya, which is well written for the movie situation with simple word choices.

" Sooriyana Sooriyana surukkuu paiyil .
naan alli vara, alli vara aasaipatten
Singathaiyum singathaiyum sila naala
enn chinna chinna kamalukkul puttikitten "

[Translation: I was wishing to pack the sun into my vanity bag (surukku pai),
I have locked the lion into my earrings locket ...]

Interesting wishes and attempts!