Veteran lyricist Vaali's wife Ramani Thilagam (70) passed away in Chennai in the morning hours yesterday. She was suffering from ill-health for sometime and died at their residence.

Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi and several film personalities paid their last respects to Ramani Thilagam. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Karunanidhi expressed his deep condolences to the lyricist over phone.

Others like Rajinikanth who have a long relationship with the lyricist will pay their tributes later.