Song: Maalai En Vedhanai
Composer: Ilaiyaraaja
Lyrics: Arivumathi
Singers: Unni Krishnan, Arun Mozhi, SN Surendar
Cast: Vikram, Abhitha
Film: Sethu
Happy birthday, director Bala! Our song of the day is ‘Maalai En Vedhanai’ from Sethu, Bala’s first film. The song opens to a piano portion, and is a light melody and all-time favourite Ilaiyaraaja composition set to lyrics by Arivumathi. The film was a tragic love story of a man who escapes from a mental health facility to find out that his lover is dead. It was a big breakthrough for actor Vikram in his career.
Bala started out as an assistant to director Balu Mahendra, and made Sethu in 1999. The film won him a National Award for the Best Feature Film. He has since made films such as Naan Kadavul, Pithamagan, Paradesi and Naachiyaar.