Mani Ratnam: Sometimes You Need a ‘Sugar Baby’ – Defending the Use of English in Tamil Songs

Mani Ratnam Weighs In on the English Lyrics Debate

There’s been a buzz in Bollywood recently about the increasing use of English lyrics in Tamil songs. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap sparked the conversation when he publicly expressed his disapproval, saying the trend simply didn’t make sense. This sparked a lively debate, especially considering the rise of bilingual and English-heavy tracks in South Indian cinema.

‘Sugar Baby’ and the Art of Balancing Languages

Now, legendary director Mani Ratnam, known for his iconic Tamil films and their memorable songs, has shared his thoughts on the matter. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Ratnam responded thoughtfully, particularly in light of his upcoming film Thug Life, which features an English-language track titled “Sugar Baby.”

“See, most of my film titles have been in Tamil. But it’s not a restrictive thing,” Ratnam said. “You don’t go in with rules saying, ‘I will do only this.’ I think a medium opens itself up. If it feels right, then you take that step which feels right for you. Why box yourself in with some false grammar?”

Ratnam emphasized his deep respect for the Tamil language and poetry, highlighting his and composer A.R. Rahman’s efforts to incorporate Tamil poetry into their songs. He believes this elevates the quality and thoughtfulness of the music, bridging the gap between languages.

“If you really like Tamil, which I do, I try to use a lot of it. A lot of it goes to… you know, Rehman and I have taken a lot of poetry from Tamil literature to make into songs. So it kind of brings the quality of Tamil, the thought and the content, to a much higher level when you pick it up? You bridge the gap between the two. So you can do that on one hand. And if sometimes you need a ‘Sugar Baby’ and it feels right, then you go for it. There’s no… I mean, there’s no one way or the other. As long as you care enough for both.”

Finding the Right Balance

Ratnam’s perspective suggests that there’s no one right way to approach the use of languages in music. The key, he seems to suggest, is to be authentic to the story and the artistic vision, while still honoring the richness and beauty of both Tamil and English.