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        Film directors these days are also pushing pen. Yes, many are making bold to write lyrics. Vijaya T Rajendher, Perarasu and R V Uthayakumar are obvious examples. But new ones like S A Chandrasekhar (Nenjirukkum Varai), Kasthoori Raja (Kadhal Varum Paruvam) and Hari (Thamirabarani) have written lyrics for a couple of songs in their films.

        Not only have directors been bitten by the writing bug, music composers are also following in that line. Yuvanshankar Raja and D Imman have penned songs for their forthcoming albums. However, there is mixed response from lyricists for the new trend that has emerged in the Tamil film industry.

        A section of lyricists declined to comment fearing that they would be blacklisted (by directors and music composers). Meanwhile, on the conditions of anonymity, a few say, 'multi-tasking is no easy job. Being a director, he has to look after a lot of things. The bottom line is a lyricist knows the job better. '

        The respect for lyricists have gone down these days. The likes of Kannadasan, Vaalee enjoyed great respect and patronage those days. Unfortunately, these days, a cut-throat competition and an urge to pen lyrics by the director themselves have put us on the back seat, they say.

        It my be recalled that Vairamuthu taking part in a function recently urged the music directors to give more thrust on the lyrics. He alleged that the music has started to overshadow the lyric these days.

        Also, a host of north Indian singers fail to pronounce the lyric properly and that the directors demand for more English words in the songs, say the lyricists in majority.

        We are forced to pen obscene lyrics only because the director demands. It is case of demand and supply, they say.

        Murali (58), says, ' the yesteryear songs are still fresh ion our memory. These days, the new songs become chartbusters, but fade away fast. If a song has catchy lyrics and soft music, they would certainly stay for long, he adds.

        However Suganthy, a playback singer in a popular music troupe, opines differently. 'Tamil film industry has abundant talent. The young brigade led by Na Muthukumar, Pa Vijay, Snehan and Thamarai are coming up with good and meaningful songs', she says.