Shaji Chen

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Shaji Chen
Shaji Chettan New.jpg
Born
Occupation(s)Writer, actor

Shaji Chen (also credited as Shaji and Shaji Chennai [1] ) is an Indian writer and actor. Shaji's main area of writing is music and cinema related. Shaji writes in Tamil, Malayalam, and English languages, and acts in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films.

Contents

Writing career

As a writer he is known for his music and film related write-ups and autobiographical articles. His various articles have been published in The Hindu, [2] Times of India, India Today, AV Max, Ananda Vikatan, [3] The Hindu Tamil, [4] Uyirmmai, [5] Kalachuvadu, [6] Theeranadhi, Vikatan Thadam, Kaalam, Kumkumam, Puthiya Thalaimurai, Sunday Indian, Andhimazhai, Padachurul, Bhashaposhini, Mathrubhumi Azhchappathippu, Madhyamam Weekly, Chandrika Weekly, Kalakaumudi, Malayalam Vaarika, [7] [8] Mangalam Daily, Mangalam Annual, [9] Deepika Daily and others.

His articles in the series Music Beyond Words were translated to Tamil by Tamil writer Jeyamohan as Sollil Adangaatha Isai. Published in the Tamil literary magazine Uyirmmai, this was a popular column in the Tamil serious literature. Another Tamil writer S. Ramakrishnan has also translated many of Shaji's articles to Tamil. After the first few years of these translations, Shaji started writing directly in Tamil. In 2016 a complete collection of his music-related articles was published by Vikatan Publications. [10] [11] In the 2023 Chennai Book Fair an updated and improved collection of his music-related articles published by Discovery Books. Director Mani Ratnam, Director Mysskin, Director Vasanth, Director Seenu Ramasamy, Director Vasanthabalan and Actor composer G. V. Prakash Kumar introduced and endorsed the book.

His column named Paattinappuram (Beyond the Song), was published in the Malayalam weekly Chandrika. His first Book in Malayalam, 'Paattalla Sangeetham', was released [12] by Malayalam publisher Green Books. [13] Many of his Malayalam articles are published in the notable literary magazine of Malayalam, Bhashaposhini [14] [15] [16] and his article series named Cinema Bhraanthinte Naalpathu Varshangal (40 Years of Cinema Craze) was published therein for one year in 2017–18. Portions from this series were also published as shorter chapters in Malayala Manorama Online. [17] In 2019 October, Matrubhumi Books published this series as a book [18] and it went on to be a best seller [19] in the first week of the publication itself.

As a music critic, Shaji appeared in national dailies such as Times of India, The Hindu, Deccan Chronicle, New Indian Express, [20] [21] and others. His monthly column in Tamil 'Cinema Veriyin 40 Aandukal' [22] ' was published in Vikatan Thadam Magazine. The last 2 chapters of the same were published in Andhimazhai Magazine. His columns in Tamil, Mullarumbu Marangal in Andhimazhai monthly and Isaiyezhuthu in Uyirmai monthly are well known. In Malayalam, the web magazine Truecopythink publishes most of his writings from 2020. [23]

Shaji has also worked in the advertising industry for many years providing storylines, scripts, jingle lyrics, and translations and he also acted in some advertisements. He has written many advertisement films and ad campaigns. [24] [25] He worked for brands such as South Indian Bank, [24] Muthoot Fincorp, Nippo [25]

Bibliography

TitleLanguage
Sollil Adangaatha Isai (Music Beyond Words) [26] Tamil
Isaiyin Thanimai (The Music of Solitude) [27] Tamil
Isaiyin Oliyil (In The Light of Music) [28] Tamil
Isai Thirai Vaazhkai (Music, Movies and Life) [29] Tamil
Shaji Isai Katturaikal Muzhuththokuppu (Shaji Writings on Music Complete Collection) [30] Tamil
Paattalla Sangeetham (Music is not Mere Songs) [31] Malayalam
Cinema Praanthinte 40 Varshangal (40 Years of Cinema Craze) [32] Malayalam
Cinema VeRiyin 40 Aandugal (40 Years of Cinema Craze) [33] Tamil
Thirumbi Paarkaiyil (When I Look Back) [34] Tamil
Shaji Isai Katturaikal Muzhuththokuppu (Improved Edition) [35] Tamil

Filmography

YearTitleRoleLanguageNotes
2013 Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum CBCID Lal Tamil
2014 Maan Karate Peter's boxing coachTamil
2015 Aaranyam Inspector Duraipandi
2017 Aby Javed Malayalam
Thupparivaalan ACP VijayakumarTamil
Spyder IB Head Matthews Telugu
Tamil
2018 Savarakathi MadmanTamilCameo
2019 Kanne Kalaimaane Bank Manager
Iruttu Muslim Sage
2020 Psycho Dagini's father
2021 Doctor Metro Driver Daniel D'SouzaCameo [36]
2022 Beast Central Home Minister
Maamanithan Real Estate Madhavan
Cobra Commissioner Gilbert Rosario
2023 Raavana Kottam Ramnad District CollectorTamil
2024 Thalaimai Seyalagam Political broker KrishnamurtiWeb series
Hit List North Indian Businessman
Vettaiyan Chennai Police Commissioner K. Virendar
TBABlackmailPost-production
TBACheraPost-production
TBA Train Post-production
2026 Parasakthi Filming

Voluntary Work

Shaji Chen is the Trustee in South India for the Salil Chowdhury Foundation of Music formed in the name of the notable composer of Indian popular music. [37] He also represents Ritwik Ghatak Memorial Trust [38] in South India. [39] [40] He has also been the Judge of Sujatha Ilakkiya Viruthu, a Tamil literary award instituted in the name of the Tamil writer Sujatha. [41] Shaji Chen is an advocate of informal education for children and the rights of special children. [42] He is also a supporter of sustainable nature farming and native food culture. [43] [44]

Personal life

Shaji Chen was born [45] in Kattappana, Idukki District, Kerala. He lives in Chennai with his wife and daughter. [46]

References

  1. "SHAJI CHENNAI - Buy Malayalam Books Online | Mathrubhumi Books". www.mbibooks.com. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  2. thrki (24 October 2014). "The Hindu : Magazine / People : Flawless harmony in his music". The Hindu.
  3. "எழுத்தாளர்கள் சிறந்த நடிகர்களாகவே முடியாது!". Vikatan (in Tamil). 3 February 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  4. "பின்னணிப் பாடகனின் மரணம்". The Hindu Tamil (in Tamil). Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  5. "உயிர்மை". uyirmmai.blogspot.in. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  6. "Kalachuvadu | ஷாஜி, உனது ஜாதி?". www.kalachuvadu.com. Archived from the original on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  7. "Michael Jackson-Malayalam-Shaji Chennai.pdf | Powered By Box". app.box.com. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  8. "Express Publications Malayalam Vaarika epaper dated Fri, 5 Sep 14" . Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  9. "Ellavarum Paadukayaanu by Shaji Chennai.pdf | Powered By Box". app.box.com. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  10. "ஷாஜி இசைக் கட்டுரைகள் முழுத்தொகுப்பு " Buy Tamil book ஷாஜி இசைக் கட்டுரைகள் முழுத்தொகுப்பு online". noolulagam.com. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  11. "Vikatan Store – Tamil eBooks – Arts, Spiritual, History, Science, Health, Medicine, Stories, Education, Competitive Exams, Finance, etc". Vikatan (in Tamil). Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  12. "Sreenivas performs at Shaji Chennai's book launch in Kochi". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  13. "Pattalla sangeetham – Study – Green Books India Pvt Ltd – Publishers of Quality Books in Kerala". greenbooksindia.com. Archived from the original on 22 September 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  14. "Shaji -BP ANNUAL 15 ARTICLE.pdf | Powered By Box". app.box.com. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  15. "BOB MAL BP FULL.pdf | Powered By Box". app.box.com. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  16. "Mahendrajaalam by Shaji Chennai from Bhasahposhini .pdf | Powered By Box". app.box.com. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  17. "CINEMAPIRANTHUKAL". manoramaonline.com. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  18. "സിനിമാപ്രാന്തിന്റെ 40 വർഷങ്ങൾ". buybooks.mathrubhumi.com. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  19. "Best Sellers - Buy Malayalam Books Online | Mathrubhumi Books". buybooks.mathrubhumi.com. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  20. "Clipping of Express Publications – The New Indian Express-Kochi" . Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  21. "All Great Music Is Melancholy". shevlinsebastian.blogspot.in. 16 May 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  22. "சினிமா வெறியின் 40 ஆண்டுகள் – ஷாஜி | 40 years Cinema – Vikatan Thadam | விகடன் தடம்". vikatan.com/ (in Tamil). 1 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  23. "ഷാജി ചെന്നൈ - Truecopy Think". truecopythink.media. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  24. 1 2 Thoughts naction (17 October 2013), fullfill[sic] your dreams , retrieved 6 September 2017
  25. 1 2 Nippo Power (7 February 2017), Nippo torch ad , retrieved 6 September 2017
  26. ஷாஜி (2007). சொல்லில் அடங்காத இசை (in Tamil). உயிர்மை பதிப்பகம். ISBN   9788189912338.
  27. "இசையின் தனிமை by ஷாஜி - Shaaji eBook for iPhone". booktrip.info. Archived from the original on 11 September 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  28. ஷாஜி, Śāji. "Icaiyin̲ oḷiyil / Śāji". nlb.gov.sg.
  29. "இசை திரை வாழ்க்கை". Panuval Book Store. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  30. "ஷாஜி இசைக்கட்டுரைகள்". CommonFolks. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  31. "Pattalla sangeetham – Study – Green Books India Pvt Ltd – Publishers of Quality Books in Kerala". greenbooksindia.com. Archived from the original on 22 September 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  32. "സിനിമാപ്രാന്തിന്റെ 40 വർഷങ്ങൾ". www.mbibooks.com. 25 April 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  33. "cinema veriyin 40 aandukal". www.discoverybookpalace.com. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  34. "திரும்பிப் பார்க்கையில்". www.panuval.com. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  35. "ஷாஜி இசைக் கட்டுரைகள் (முழுத் தொகுப்பு)". www.panuval.com. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  36. Cr, Sharanya. "Sivakarthikeyan-Nelson's Doctor will roll from Dec 6". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  37. "Popular songs of 80s bring to life joys of Onam in Chennai". dtNext.in. 4 September 2017. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  38. "The Times Group". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  39. "90th Birth Anniversary of Ritwik Ghatak". facebook.com. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  40. "Bengal remembers Ritwik Ghatak on his 90th Birthday". uniindia.com.
  41. "தமிழின் முதன்மையான முன்னணி கலை- இலக்கிய, சமூகவியல்". uyirmmai.com. Archived from the original on 26 April 2011. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  42. "'சமூகத்திலும் மாற்றம் கொண்டு வராமல், கல்வியில் மட்டும் மாற்றம் சாத்தியமில்லை!' #WhatisEducation?". Vikatan (in Tamil). 13 April 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  43. "Marina Books". www.-img1.marinabooks.com. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  44. "மூலிகை முன்றில் – மாற்று வாழ்வியலுக்கான ஒன்றுகூடல் (தருமபுரி – 28 பிப்ரவரி 2015)" . Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  45. "Shaji chennai". greenbooksindia.com. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  46. Maarij (12 March 2020). "Shaji Chen". Super Stars Bio. Retrieved 9 November 2023.