Vairamuthu to erect a statue in memory of late K Balachander

Vairamuthu and Balachander shared over a three-decade long relationship.
Vairamuthu to erect a statue in memory of late K Balachander
Vairamuthu to erect a statue in memory of late K Balachander
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In a state that’s widely popular for immortalizing their favourite stars in the form of statues, perhaps for the first time a director is set to get a statue. National award-winning lyricist Vairamuthu will be building a statue in memory of late K Balachander in the latter’s hometown Nallamangudi in Nannilam, Tiruvarur district.  

Talking to the Times of India, Vairamuthu said, “We have started to forget our torchbearers. These are people who must be remembered forever, for the work they did and the art they created will serve as an inspiration for generations to come. In the 50 years he spent making cinema, Balachander took Tamil cinema to new heights by exploring the problems of the middle-class and shining a light on life's darker sides. He is a Dadasaheb Phalke Award-winner. This statue is my way of honouring this legend, who directed a hundred films," says Vairamuthu.

He added, "There exists a bust of yesteryear director TR Sundaram, but that was installed in memory of his days as the President of the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce. This is why I believe this might be the first statue erected of a filmmaker in our state.”

Vairamuthu and Balachander shared over a three-decade long relationship. Talking about his bond with the veteran filmmaker, the writer said, “"My relationship with KB was not that of a director and lyricist; we were friends. Even he used to remark that he had very few friends and I was among them. I had met him for the first time when he was making Thanneer Thanneer. Kamal Haasan had recommended my name to him. I consider the lyrics that I wrote for his Sindhu Bhairavi, Punnagai Mannan, and Duet among my best works. He enriched my words with his visuals." 

The statue will be inaugurated on July 9, to coincide with Balachander’s 87th birth anniversary. The statue will be made out of bronze and it will weigh 80 kg.

(Content provided by Digital Native)

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