Traffic cop on GST Road sings to raise COVID awareness

Manimaran has taken popular songs such as Ooru vittu ooru vandhu from Karakattakaran and Koduthathellam Koduthan from MGR starrer Padagotti, replacing the original lyrics with his own about the importance of staying at home and wearing masks to fight COVID.

Though many songs have been released to create awareness about the pandemic, what sets Manimaran's songs apart is that he sings them while controlling traffic on the busy GST Road using his mobile phone to play the score in the background.

"Before these two songs, I wrote a poem that was published in a weekly magazine. But movie-themed songs have found a liking among the public; a video of me singing has got over 10,000 views," he says. Apart from songs, Manimaran also recites Tirukkural to advise people about coronavirus and has composed songs on road safety as well.

An MSc Zoology graduate, Manimaran prepared for civil services before settling for the sub-inspector job. However, his love for Tamil and concern for society constantly pushes him to do something beyond the call of duty, he says.

He says like Martin Luther King Jr, he too has a dream of seeing the society without caste bias and discrimination. "We see so many people die in road accidents, which makes me think we should spread positivity because life is so fragile and uncertain. So, I'm trying to do something with my passion, which should also earn a name for the department," says the official.