Gangai Amaran

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Gangai Amaran
Born (1947-12-08) 8 December 1947 (age 76)
Alma materPMS College of Dental Science & Research, Vattapara, Thiruvananthapuram
Occupation(s) Film director, Screenwriter, Composer, Lyricist, Playback singer, Actor, Conductor, Instrumentalist, Voice actor
Years active1977–present
SpouseManimegalai
Children Venkat Prabhu
Premgi Amaren
Relatives
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s) Vocals, guitar

Gangai Amaran (born 8 December 1947) is an Indian composer, [1] playback singer, [2] lyricist, [3] actor, film director [4] and a screenwriter in Tamil films.

Contents

Personal life

Gangai Amaran was born in Pannaipuram in Theni district, Tamil Nadu in December 1947, as the youngest son of Ramaswamy and Chinnathayi. He is the younger brother of noted music director Ilaiyaraaja and father of director and actor Venkat Prabhu and actor, composer and singer Premji Amaren. [5] [6] He had two more elder brothers, R. D. Bhaskar and Pavalar Varadharajan, both who died long back. Composers Karthik Raja, Yuvan Shankar Raja, singer Bhavatharini and costume designer Vasuki Bhaskar are his relations. [7] His wife Manimegalai (Kala) died on 09 May 2021. [8]

Regarding his name, Gangai was taken from a magazine of the same name which he read during his childhood, while Amaran is derived from a pseudonym Amar Singh, which he wanted to adopt for himself when he aimed to be a lyricist. He has had his personal differences with his elder brother Ilayaraja where he mentioned about many controversial issues with him in his career. [9]

Career

Films

Amaran revealed that his debut film as a composer for Malargalile Oru Malligai starring Malaysia Vasudevan remained unreleased despite the soundtrack being released. Hence, Oru Vidukathai Oru Thodarkathai became his first film as composer to be released. [10] Along with his brother Ilaiyaraja, Gangai Amaran started his career as a composer and composed for many successful films such as Mouna Geethangal and Vazhvey Maayam (1983). Apart from composing, Amaran made his directorial debut with Kozhi Koovuthu (1982) and went on to direct many films including the highly successful Karagattakaran (1989). Themmangu Paattukaran was his last film as a director while Poonjolai which would have been the acting debut of his son Venkat Prabhu remains unreleased. [11] Now he is working with Clusters media college. [12]

Politics

Gangai Amaran also took a plunge in politics by joining BJP and also contested in RK Nagar constituency. [13] [14] Apart from that, he also served as a member of Central Board of Film Certification. [11]

Filmography

Writer/Director

YearFilmMusic DirectorNotes
1982 Kozhi Koovuthu IlayarajaDirectorial Debut
1983 Kokkarakko Illayaraja
1984 Pozhuthu Vidinchachu Ilayaraja
1984Devi SrideviIlayaraja
1984 Vellai Pura Ondru Ilayaraja
1987 Enga Ooru Pattukaran Ilayaraja
1988Sakkarai PanthalIlayaraja
1988 Shenbagamae Shenbagamae Ilayaraja
1988Koil Mani OsaiGangai Amaran
1989 Karakattakkaran Ilayaraja
1989 Annanukku Jai Ilayaraja
1990 Ooru Vittu Ooru Vanthu Ilayaraja
1991 Kumbakarai Thangaiah Ilayaraja
1992 Villu Pattukaran Ilayaraja
1992 Chinnavar Ilayaraja
1992 Ponnuketha Purushan Ilayaraja
1993 Koyil Kaalai Ilayaraja
1994 Atha Maga Rathiname Gangai Amaran
1997 Themmangu Paattukaaran Ilayaraja

Music Director

YearFilmNotes
1979Karai Kadantha Kurathi
1979Kuzhanthaiyai Thedi
1979 Oru Vidukadhai Oru Thodarkadhai
1979 Suvarillatha Chithirangal
1980Ramaye Vayasukku Vanthutta
1980 Enga Ooru Rasathi
1980Tharayil Pootha Malar
1981 Mouna Geethangal
1981 Sankarlal With Ilayaraja
1982 Kanavugal Karpanaigal
1982 Vazhvey Maayam Dubbed Malayalam as Premaabhishekam
1983En Priyame
1983Imaigal
1983 Hello Madras Girl Malayalam Film
1983JeevithamMalayalam Film
1983 Neethibathi
1983 Sattam Dubbed Malayalam as Sneha bandham
1983 Justice Raja Malayalam film
1984Irumbu Kaigai
1984 Kudumbam
1984Nalellam Pournami
1984Nichayam
1984Nyayam Ketkiraen
1984Ungal Veetu Pillai
1984 Alakadalinakkare Malayalam film
1985 Mannukketha Ponnu
1985 Aagaya Thamaraigal 25th film
1985 Hello Yaar Pesurathu with Illayaraja
1985 Puthiya Sagaptham
1985 Naan Ungal Rasigan
1986 Kanna Thorakkanum Saami with Illayaraja
1986 Namma Ooru Nalla Ooru
1986 Ayyappa Bhakthiganangal Vol. 6 Ayyappa devotional songs album from Tharangini. Released in all four south Indian languages.
1987Chellakutti
1987 Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi
1987Ettikki Potti
1987 Ondru Engal Jaathiye
1987Oorkuruvi
1987Ithu Oru Thodarkathaiwrote all lyrics for this film
1987MizhiyorangalilMalayalam Film
1988 Anuragi Malayalam Film
1988 Jeeva
1988 En Thangachi Padichava
1988Kabali
1988Koil Mani Osai
1988 Raththa Dhanam
1988Thappu Kanakku
1989 Pillaikkaga
1989 Rudra Kannada film; Dubbed in Tamil as Kushboo Kushboothan
1989SwarakalpanaTelugu Film, Director: Vamsi
1990 Pachai Kodi
1991 Pondatti Pondattithan 50th film
1991 Adhikari
1991 Rudhra
1993 Aadhityan
1994 Atha Maga Rathiname
2009 Ragavan
2010 Pugaippadam

Singer

YearFilmSongsComposerNotes
1985Neethaana Andha Kuyil"Poojaiketha Poovidhu"Ilayaraja
1988 Pillaikkaga "Mazhalaiyin"Himself
1990 Nila Pennae "Kichang Kichang" Vidyasagar
1992 Solaiyamma "Rasa Ilayarasa",
"Manja Thanni"
Deva
1993 Aadhityan "Uchimalai"Himself
2006 Thimiru "Goppurane"Yuvan Shankar Raja
2009 Ragavan "Vaazhvai"Himself
2013 Arya Surya "Mama", "Kala Kala", "Asaaru Usaaru" Srikanth Deva
2017 Andava Kaanom "Oh Annan Maare"Ashwamitra

Lyricist (partial filmography)

YearFilmSongsComposerNotes
197716 VayathinileSendhoora Poove / Cholam Vethakkaiyile [15] Ilayaraja
1978Kizhakke Pogum Rail"Poovarasam Poothachu"Ilayaraja
1978Mullum Malarum2 Songs: "Nitham Nitham Nellu soru/ Raamane Aandaalum"Ilayaraja
1978Aval Appadithan2 Songs:Uravygal Thodarkatha / Panneer PushpangaleIlayaraja
1979Agal Vilakku2 Songs: "Etho Ninaivukal/ Ellorum Porandhome"Ilayaraja
1979Puthiya Vaarpugal"Thamthananam Thana Thaalam"Ilayaraja
1979Rosappu Ravikkaikari3 Songs: "Vethala / Rosappu Ravikkaikari / Yennullil Yengo"Ilayaraja
1979Uthiripookkal"Yae Intha Poongathu"Ilayaraja
1980Aayiram Vaasal Idhayam"Hey En Aasa"Ilayaraja
1980Nizhalgal"Poongathavae thaal thiravai"Ilayaraja
1980Ellam Un Kairasi"Cherikku Sevai seiyum"Ilayaraja
1980Gramathu AthiyayamAll songs: Aatthu Mettuley/ Vaadaatha Rosapoo/ Ootha Kaathu/ Poovae IthuIlayaraja
1980GuruMaamanukku ParamakudiIlayaraja
1980Moodu Pani3 Songs:Yen Iniya/ Paruva Kaalangalin/ Aasai RajaIlayaraja
1980Johnny4 Songs:Kaatril Enthan/ Aasaiya Kaathula/ Sinorita/ Oru Iniya manathuIlayaraja
1980Kallukkul Eeram4 Songs:Siruponmani/ Ennathil/ Kothamalli/ Enthan kairasiIlayaraja
1980Nenjathai Killathe3 Songs:Hey Thendralae/ Uravenum/ Mummy PeruIlayaraja
1981Raja PaarvaiVizhi Oraththu KanavumIlayaraja
1981SankarlalThedinen Puthiya sugamIlayaraja
1981Enakkaga Kaathiru3 Songs:Oh Nenjame/ Ooty Malai / Pani MazhaiIlayaraja
1981Indru Poi Naalai Vaa2 Songs:Mathana Mohana/ Mere PyariIlayaraja
1981Kadal MeengalMadhani MadhaniIlayaraja
1981Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo2 Songs:Yerupudichavare/ KalyanramanIlayaraja
1981Panneer PushpangalAll Songs:Kodaikaala Kaatre/ Aanandha Raagam / Poonthalir Aada/ Vengaya SambarumIlayaraja
1981Alaigal Oivathillai2 Songs:Putham Pudhu Kaalai/ Vaadi En Kappa KelangeIlayaraja
1986Amman Kovil KizhakaleAll songsIlayaraja
1986 Maaveeran 3 Songs: Hey Maina/ Sokku Podi / Nee KoduththathaIlayaraja
1989KaragattakaranAll songsIlayaraja
1990 Keladi Kanmani Enna paduvathu, Mannil inthaIllayaraja
1992ChinnavarAll songsIlayaraja
1992Villu PaattukaaranAll songsIlayaraja
2004 Udhaya "Thiruvellikeni Rani" A R Rahman
2007 Chennai 600028 "Jalsa", "Saroja Saaman" Yuvan Shankar Raja
2008 Saroja "Aaja Meri", "Kodaana Kodi", "Nimirnthu Nil"Yuvan Shankar Raja
2010 Goa "Ezhezhu", "Idhu Varai", "Vaaliba Vaa"Yuvan Shankar Raja
2011 Mankatha "Vilaiyaadu Mankatha", "Ballelakka"Yuvan Shankar Raja
2013 Biriyani "Biriyani", "Edhirthu Nil"Yuvan Shankar Raja
2015 Massu Engira Masilamani "Poochandi"Yuvan Shankar Raja
2023 Custody "Ettu Thesa"Ilaiyaraaja
2024 The Greatest of All Time "Spark"Yuvan Shankar Raja

Dubbing artist

Onscreen appearances

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References

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  2. "Singer Gangai Amaran Song Database". 600024.com Tamil Movie Database. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  3. "Lyricist Gangai Amaran Song Database". 600024.com Tamil Movie Database. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  4. "Director Gangai Amaran Song Database". 600024.com Tamil Movie Database. Archived from the original on 15 August 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  5. "Not truly Gangai Amaran". The Hindu . 19 May 2009. Archived from the original on 24 May 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  6. "Gangai Amaran enthrals Vellore". The Hindu . 27 February 2006. Archived from the original on 24 May 2006. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
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  8. "Gangai Amaren's wife Manimegalai Gangai Amaren passes away". The Times of India . 10 May 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  9. Rangarajan, Malathi (29 August 2013). "Lights, camera, more action". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 4 January 2024.
  10. ராம்ஜி, வி. (20 September 2020). "'நாயகன் அவனொரு புறம், அவன் மனைவி விழியில் அழகு'; 'விடுகதை ஒன்று தொடர்கதை ஒன்று'; கங்கை அமரன் இசையமைப்பாளராகி 41 ஆண்டுகள்!". Hindu Tamil Thisai. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  11. 1 2 Saravanan, T. (5 November 2015). "Music for the masses". The Hindu via www.thehindu.com.
  12. https://www.facebook.com/clustersmediazone/videos/292896508213436/ [ user-generated source ]
  13. Kolappan, B. (21 December 2014). "Gangai Amaran joins BJP". The Hindu via www.thehindu.com.
  14. Edmond, Deepu Sebastian (3 April 2017). "Gangai Amaran strikes a chord with R.K. Nagar voters". The Hindu via www.thehindu.com.
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