Gangai Amaran

Gangai Amaran
Born (1947-12-08) 8 December 1947 (age 76)
Pannaipuram, Theni, Tamil Nadu
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
ChildrenVenkat 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.

Personal life

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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 9 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

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Films

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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

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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

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Writer/Director

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Year Film Music Director Notes
1982 Kozhi Koovuthu Ilayaraja Directorial Debut
1983 Kokkarakko Illayaraja
1984 Pozhuthu Vidinchachu Ilayaraja
1984 Devi Sridevi Ilayaraja
1984 Vellai Pura Ondru Ilayaraja
1987 Enga Ooru Pattukaran Ilayaraja
1988 Sakkarai Panthal Ilayaraja
1988 Shenbagamae Shenbagamae Ilayaraja
1988 Koil Mani Osai Gangai 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

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Year Film Notes
1979 Karai Kadantha Kurathi
1979 Kuzhanthaiyai Thedi
1979 Oru Vidukadhai Oru Thodarkadhai
1979 Suvarillatha Chithirangal
1980 Ramaye Vayasukku Vanthutta
1980 Enga Ooru Rasathi
1980 Tharayil Pootha Malar
1981 Mouna Geethangal
1981 Sankarlal With Ilayaraja
1982 Kanavugal Karpanaigal
1982 Vazhvey Maayam Dubbed Malayalam as Premaabhishekam
1983 En Priyame
1983 Imaigal
1983 Hello Madras Girl Malayalam Film
1983 Jeevitham Malayalam Film
1983 Neethibathi
1983 Sattam Dubbed Malayalam as Sneha bandham
1983 Justice Raja Malayalam film
1984 Irumbu Kaigai
1984 Kudumbam
1984 Nalellam Pournami
1984 Nichayam
1984 Nyayam Ketkiraen
1984 Ungal 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.
1987 Chellakutti
1987 Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi
1987 Ettikki Potti
1987 Ondru Engal Jaathiye
1987 Oorkuruvi
1987 Ithu Oru Thodarkathai wrote all lyrics for this film
1987 Mizhiyorangalil Malayalam Film
1988 Anuragi Malayalam Film
1988 Jeeva
1988 En Thangachi Padichava
1988 Kabali
1988 Koil Mani Osai
1988 Raththa Dhanam
1988 Thappu Kanakku
1989 Pillaikkaga
1989 Rudra Kannada film; Dubbed in Tamil as Kushboo Kushboothan
1989 Swarakalpana Telugu Film, Director: Vamsi
1989 Police Report Telugu film
1990 Pachai Kodi
1991 Pondatti Pondattithan 50th film
1991 Adhikari
1991 Rudhra
1993 Aadhityan
1994 Atha Maga Rathiname
2009 Ragavan
2010 Pugaippadam

Singer

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Year Film Songs Composer Notes
1985 Neethaana 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)

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Year Film Songs Composer Notes
1977 16 Vayathinile Sendhoora Poove / Cholam Vethakkaiyile [15] Ilayaraja
1978 Kizhakke Pogum Rail "Poovarasam Poothachu" Ilayaraja
1978 Mullum Malarum 2 Songs: "Nitham Nitham Nellu soru/ Raamane Aandaalum" Ilayaraja
1978 Aval Appadithan 2 Songs:Uravygal Thodarkatha / Panneer Pushpangale Ilayaraja
1979 Agal Vilakku 2 Songs: "Etho Ninaivukal/ Ellorum Porandhome" Ilayaraja
1979 Puthiya Vaarpugal "Thamthananam Thana Thaalam" Ilayaraja
1979 Rosappu Ravikkaikari 3 Songs: "Vethala / Rosappu Ravikkaikari / Yennullil Yengo" Ilayaraja
1979 Uthiripookkal "Yae Intha Poongathu" Ilayaraja
1980 Aayiram Vaasal Idhayam "Hey En Aasa" Ilayaraja
1980 Nizhalgal "Poongathavae thaal thiravai" Ilayaraja
1980 Ellam Un Kairasi "Cherikku Sevai seiyum" Ilayaraja
1980 Gramathu Athiyayam All songs: Aatthu Mettuley/ Vaadaatha Rosapoo/ Ootha Kaathu/ Poovae Ithu Ilayaraja
1980 Guru Maamanukku Paramakudi Ilayaraja
1980 Moodu Pani 3 Songs:Yen Iniya/ Paruva Kaalangalin/ Aasai Raja Ilayaraja
1980 Johnny 4 Songs:Kaatril Enthan/ Aasaiya Kaathula/ Sinorita/ Oru Iniya manathu Ilayaraja
1980 Kallukkul Eeram 4 Songs:Siruponmani/ Ennathil/ Kothamalli/ Enthan kairasi Ilayaraja
1980 Nenjathai Killathe 3 Songs:Hey Thendralae/ Uravenum/ Mummy Peru Ilayaraja
1981 Raja Paarvai Vizhi Oraththu Kanavum Ilayaraja
1981 Sankarlal Thedinen Puthiya sugam Ilayaraja
1981 Enakkaga Kaathiru 3 Songs:Oh Nenjame/ Ooty Malai / Pani Mazhai Ilayaraja
1981 Indru Poi Naalai Vaa 2 Songs:Mathana Mohana/ Mere Pyari Ilayaraja
1981 Kadal Meengal Madhani Madhani Ilayaraja
1981 Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo 2 Songs:Yerupudichavare/ Kalyanraman Ilayaraja
1981 Panneer Pushpangal All Songs:Kodaikaala Kaatre/ Aanandha Raagam / Poonthalir Aada/ Vengaya Sambarum Ilayaraja
1981 Alaigal Oivathillai 2 Songs:Putham Pudhu Kaalai/ Vaadi En Kappa Kelange Ilayaraja
1986 Amman Kovil Kizhakale All songs Ilayaraja
1986 Maaveeran 3 Songs: Hey Maina/ Sokku Podi / Nee Koduththatha Ilayaraja
1989 Karagattakaran All songs Ilayaraja
1990 Keladi Kanmani Enna paduvathu, Mannil intha Illayaraja
1992 Chinnavar All songs Ilayaraja
1992 Villu Paattukaaran All songs Ilayaraja
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
Kozhipannai Chelladurai "Kathirundhen" N. R. Raghunanthan

Dubbing artist

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Onscreen appearances

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References

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  1. ^ "Music Director Gangai Amaran Song Database". 600024.com Tamil Movie Database. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  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.
  7. ^ "Illayaraja: Gangai Amaran get together again". Behindwoods. 12 March 2005. Archived from the original on 24 July 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  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. ^ a b 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.
  15. ^ "Tamil Cinema News | Kollywood News | Tamil Film News - Maalaimalar". Archived from the original on 24 May 2015.
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