Thamarai (born 10 November 1965) is an Indian poet and lyricist who writes in Tamil. She is a prominent figure in the Tamil literary world and has worked in Tamil cinema.^[1]

She made her debut in the Tamil film industry through the 1998 film Iniyavale, which was directed by Seeman and had music composed by Deva.

Thamarai was born in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on 10 November 1965. She graduated from Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, in production engineering and worked for six years in Coimbatore. With her passion for poetry, she decided to move to Chennai, where she worked as a freelance journalist in an organization named Bhagya and wrote essays, stories and poems.^[2] Through her literary works, she became popular and got noticed. Director Seeman assigned her as lyricist for the song "Thendral Enthan" for his Tamil film Iniyavale.^[3] Subsequently, she wrote lyrics for films such as Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen ("Malligai Poove") and Thenali ("Injirango Injirango"). Her work together with music director Harris Jayaraj in Minnale marked the turning point in her film industry career, primarily noted for her song "Vaseegara" in the movie.^{[citation needed]}

After Minnale, the trio, composed of director Gautham Vasudev Menon and music director Harris Jayaraj, teamed up several times again (Kaakha Kaakha, Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, Pachaikili Muthucharam and Vaaranam Aayiram) and were a very successful collaboration in the film field, until the break-up between Menon and Jayaraj happened. Since then, she is teaming up with A. R. Rahman, who replaced Jayaraj. Menon, Jayaraj and Thamarai teamed up again in July 2014 for the Ajith Kumar film Yennai Arindhaal. The film's album was released on 1 January 2015, and it was well-received by critics.^[4][5] She wrote" Neeraambal Poovae" from the movie Nannbenda, where she again worked for Harris Jayaraj. The song is sung by Arjun Menon.^{[citation needed]}

Thamarai was married to Thozhar Thiyagu. They have a son. Thamarai is a vegan and an advocate of animal rights.^[6]

Filmfare Awards South

• Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Vaaranam Aayiram (2008)
• Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010)
• Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada (2016)

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

• Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Lyricist – Thenali (2000)
• Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award – Paavender Bharathidasan Award (2006)

Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards

• Ananda Vikatan Award for Best Lyricist – Vaaranam Aayiram (2008)
• Ananda Vikatan Award for Best Lyricist – Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010)
• Ananda Vikatan Award for Best Lyricist – for the song for "Thalli Pogathey" from Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada (2016)
• Ananda Vikatan Award for Best Lyricist – for the song "Yaar Azhaithathu" from Maara (2021)

Vijay Awards

• Vijay Award for Best Lyricist – Vaaranam Aayiram (2008)
• Vijay Award for Best Lyricist – Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal (2012)

Other awards and recognition

• ITFA Best Lyricist Award – Kaakha Kaakha (2003)
• Meera Isaiaruvi Tamil Music Award for Best Lyricist – Vaaranam Aayiram (2008)
• Zee Cine Awards - Best Lyricist for "Kaanana Kanney" - Viswasam (2020)

Nominations

• Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Kaakha Kaakha (2003)
• Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Ghajini (2005)
• Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Subramaniapuram (2008)
• Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Pasanga (2009)
• Vijay Award for Best Lyricist – Pasanga (2009)
• Vijay Award for Best Lyricist – Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010)
• Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – 7aum Arivu (2011)
• Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Yennai Arindhaal (2015)
• SIIMA Award for Best Lyricist – Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada (2017)
• SIIMA Award for Best Lyricist – Viswasam
• SIIMA Award for Best Lyricist – Maara

• List of vegans

• Kavignar Thamarai's short Tamil poems
• Thamarai's songs at Hummaa.com
• Thamarai – Kavi Samurai at PixMonk.com