Gangai Amaran Explained

Gangai Amaran
Birth Date:8 December 1947
Birth Place:Pannaipuram, Theni, Tamil Nadu
Occupation:Actor, Film director, Screenwriter, Composer, Lyricist, music director, Playback singer, Conductor, Instrumentalist, Voice actor
Instrument:Vocals, (playback singing), guitar
Associated Acts:Ilaiyaraaja, Karthik Raja, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Venkat Prabhu, Premgi Amaren
Years Active:1976–present

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

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]

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.[8]

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.[9] 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.[10] Now he is working with Clusters media college.[11]

Politics

Gangai Amaran also took a plunge in politics by joining BJP and also contested in RK Nagar constituency.[12] [13] Apart from that, he also served as a member of Central Board of Film Certification.[10]

Filmography

Writer/Director

YearFilmMusic DirectorNotes
1982Kozhi KoovuthuIlayarajaDirectorial Debut
1983 KokkarokkoIllayaraja
1984Pozhuthu VidinchachuIlayaraja
1984Devi SrideviIlayaraja
1984Vellai Pura OndruIlayaraja
1987Enga Ooru PattukaranIlayaraja
1988Sakkarai PanthalIlayaraja
1988Shenbagamae ShenbagamaeIlayaraja
1988Koil Mani OsaiGangai Amaran
1989KarakattakkaranIlayaraja
1989Annanukku JaiIlayaraja
1990 Ooru Vittu Ooru VanthuIlayaraja
1991 Kumbakarai ThangaiahIlayaraja
1992 Villu PattukaranIlayaraja
1992 ChinnavarIlayaraja
1992 Ponnuketha PurushanIlayaraja
1993 Koyil KaalaiIlayaraja
1994 Atha Maga RathinameGangai Amaran
1997Themmangu PaattukaaranIlayaraja

Music Director

YearFilmNotes
1979Karai Kadantha Kurathi
1979Kuzhanthaiyai Thedi
1979Oru Vidukadhai Oru Thodarkadhai
1979Suvarillatha Chithirangal
1980Ramaye Vayasukku Vanthutta
1980Enga Ooru Rasathi
1980Tharayil Pootha Malar
1981Mouna Geethangal
1981SankarlalWith Ilayaraja
1982Kanavugal Karpanaigal
1982Vazhvey MaayamDubbed Malayalam as Premaabhishekam
1983En Priyame
1983Imaigal
1983Hello Madras GirlMalayalam Film
1983JeevithamMalayalam Film
1983Neethibathi
1983SattamDubbed Malayalam as Sneha bandham
1983Justice RajaMalayalam film
1984Irumbu Kaigai
1984Kudumbam
1984Nalellam Pournami
1984Nichayam
1984Nyayam Ketkiraen
1984Ungal Veetu Pillai
1984AlakadalinakkareMalayalam film
1985Mannukketha Ponnu
1985Aagaya Thamaraigal25th film
1985Hello Yaar Pesurathuwith Illayaraja
1985Puthiya Sagaptham
1985Naan Ungal Rasigan
1986Kanna Thorakkanum Saamiwith Illayaraja
1986Namma Ooru Nalla Ooru
1987Chellakutti
1987Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi
1987Ettikki Potti
1987Ondru Engal Jaathiye
1987Oorkuruvi
1987Ithu Oru Thodarkathaiwrote all lyrics for this film
1987MizhiyorangalilMalayalam Film
1988AnuragiMalayalam Film
1988Jeeva
1988En Thangachi Padichava
1988Kabali
1988Koil Mani Osai
1988Raththa Dhanam
1988Thappu Kanakku
1989Pillaikkaga
1989RudraKannada film; Dubbed in Tamil as Kushboo Kushboothan
1989SwarakalpanaTelugu Film, Director: Vamsi
1990Pachai Kodi
1991Pondatti Pondattithan50th film
1991Adhikari
1991Rudhra
1993Aadhityan
1994Atha Maga Rathiname
2009Ragavan
2010Pugaippadam

Singer

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

Lyricist (partial filmography)

YearFilmSongsComposerNotes
197716 VayathinileSendhoora Poove / Cholam Vethakkaiyile [14] 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 Ithu Ilayaraja
1980GuruMaamanukku Paramakudi Ilayaraja
1980Moodu Pani3 Songs:Yen Iniya/ Paruva Kaalangalin/ Aasai Raja Ilayaraja
1980Johnny4 Songs:Kaatril Enthan/ Aasaiya Kaathula/ Sinorita/ Oru Iniya manathu Ilayaraja
1980Kallukkul Eeram4 Songs:Siruponmani/ Ennathil/ Kothamalli/ Enthan kairasi Ilayaraja
1980Nenjathai Killathe3 Songs:Hey Thendralae/ Uravenum/ Mummy Peru Ilayaraja
1981Raja PaarvaiVizhi Oraththu Kanavum Ilayaraja
1981SankarlalThedinen Puthiya sugam Ilayaraja
1981Enakkaga Kaathiru3 Songs:Oh Nenjame/ Ooty Malai / Pani Mazhai Ilayaraja
1981Indru Poi Naalai Vaa2 Songs:Mathana Mohana/ Mere Pyari Ilayaraja
1981Kadal MeengalMadhani Madhani Ilayaraja
1981Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo2 Songs:Yerupudichavare/ Kalyanraman Ilayaraja
1981Panneer PushpangalAll Songs:Kodaikaala Kaatre/ Aanandha Raagam / Poonthalir Aada/ Vengaya Sambarum Ilayaraja
1981Alaigal Oivathillai2 Songs:Putham Pudhu Kaalai/ Vaadi En Kappa Kelange Ilayaraja
1986Amman Kovil KizhakaleAll songsIlayaraja
1986Maaveeran3 Songs: Hey Maina/ Sokku Podi / Nee KoduththathaIlayaraja
1989KaragattakaranAll songsIlayaraja
1990Keladi KanmaniEnna paduvathu, Mannil intha Illayaraja
1992ChinnavarAll songsIlayaraja
1992Villu PaattukaaranAll songsIlayaraja
2004Udhaya"Thiruvellikeni Rani"A R Rahman
2007Chennai 600028"Jalsa", "Saroja Saaman"Yuvan Shankar Raja
2008Saroja"Aaja Meri", "Kodaana Kodi", "Nimirnthu Nil"Yuvan Shankar Raja
2010Goa"Ezhezhu", "Idhu Varai", "Vaaliba Vaa"Yuvan Shankar Raja
2011Mankatha"Vilaiyaadu Mankatha", "Ballelakka"Yuvan Shankar Raja
2013Biriyani"Biriyani", "Edhirthu Nil"Yuvan Shankar Raja
2015Massu Engira Masilamani"Poochandi"Yuvan Shankar Raja
2023Custody"Ettu Thesa" Ilaiyaraaja
2024The Greatest of All Time"Spark"Yuvan Shankar Raja

Dubbing artist

Onscreen appearances

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Music Director Gangai Amaran Song Database . 600024.com Tamil Movie Database . 2012-08-03 . https://archive.today/20130116051129/http://en.600024.com/musicdirector/gangai-amaran-movies-list/ . 16 January 2013 . dead .
  2. Web site: Singer Gangai Amaran Song Database . 600024.com Tamil Movie Database . 2012-08-03 . https://archive.today/20130116031611/http://en.600024.com/singer/gangai-amaran-movies-list/ . 16 January 2013 . dead .
  3. Web site: Lyricist Gangai Amaran Song Database . 600024.com Tamil Movie Database . 2012-08-03 . https://archive.today/20130116011910/http://en.600024.com/lyricist/gangai-amaran-songs/ . 16 January 2013 . dead .
  4. Web site: Director Gangai Amaran Song Database . 600024.com Tamil Movie Database . 2012-08-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120815183452/http://en.600024.com/director/gangai-amaran-movies-list/ . 15 August 2012 . dmy .
  5. Web site: Not truly Gangai Amaran . https://web.archive.org/web/20090524064147/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/05/19/stories/2009051950250700.htm . dead . 2009-05-24 . 2009-05-19 . . 2012-08-03.
  6. Web site: Gangai Amaran enthrals Vellore . https://web.archive.org/web/20060524012617/http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/27/stories/2006022704450200.htm . dead . 2006-05-24 . 2006-02-27 . . 2012-08-03.
  7. Web site: Illayaraja: Gangai Amaran get together again . Behindwoods . 2005-03-12 . 2012-03-11 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120724222222/http://www.behindwoods.com/News/12-3-05/illayaraja_gamaran.htm . 24 July 2012 .
  8. News: Lights, camera, more action. Malathi. Rangarajan. The Hindu. 29 August 2013. www.thehindu.com.
  9. Web site: ராம்ஜி . வி. . 2020-09-20 . 'நாயகன் அவனொரு புறம், அவன் மனைவி விழியில் அழகு'; 'விடுகதை ஒன்று தொடர்கதை ஒன்று'; கங்கை அமரன் இசையமைப்பாளராகி 41 ஆண்டுகள்! . 2023-03-16 . Hindu Tamil Thisai.
  10. News: Music for the masses. T.. Saravanan. The Hindu. 5 November 2015. www.thehindu.com.
  11. https://www.facebook.com/clustersmediazone/videos/292896508213436/
  12. News: Gangai Amaran joins BJP. B.. Kolappan. The Hindu. 21 December 2014. www.thehindu.com.
  13. News: Gangai Amaran strikes a chord with R.K. Nagar voters. Deepu Sebastian. Edmond. The Hindu. 3 April 2017. www.thehindu.com.
  14. Web site: Tamil Cinema News | Kollywood News | Tamil Film News - Maalaimalar. https://web.archive.org/web/20150524030406/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2015/04/21215550/cinema-history-april-21-ilayar.html. 24 May 2015.