Gangai Amaran facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gangai Amaran
|
|
|---|---|
| Born |
Amar Singh
8 December 1947 Pannaipuram, Theni, Tamil Nadu
|
| Alma mater | PMS College of Dental Science & Research, Vattapara, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Occupation | Film director, Screenwriter, Composer, Lyricist, Playback singer, Actor, Conductor, Instrumentalist, Voice actor |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Spouse(s) | Manimegalai |
| Children | Venkat Prabhu Premgi Amaren |
| Relatives |
|
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
Gangai Amaran, whose birth name is Amar Singh, is a talented Indian artist. He is known for many roles in Tamil films, including composing music, singing, writing song lyrics, acting, and directing movies. He has been active in the film industry since 1977.
Contents
About Gangai Amaran
Early Life and Family
Gangai Amaran was born in December 1947 in Pannaipuram, a village in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu. He was the youngest son of Daniel Ramaswamy and Chinnathayi. His older brother is the famous music director Ilaiyaraaja.
Gangai Amaran is also the father of two well-known people in the film industry: director and actor Venkat Prabhu, and actor, composer, and singer Premji Amaren. His wife, Manimegalai, passed away in May 2021. Several other family members, like composers Karthik Raja and Yuvan Shankar Raja, are also involved in music and film.
How He Got His Name
The name "Gangai" came from a magazine he enjoyed reading when he was a child. "Amaran" comes from "Amar Singh," a pen name he wanted to use when he first started writing song lyrics.
His Work in Films and Music
Starting His Career
Gangai Amaran began his career as a music composer. His first film as a composer, Malargalile Oru Malligai, was never officially released, even though its songs came out. So, his first movie to be released as a composer was Oru Vidukathai Oru Thodarkathai.
He worked with his brother Ilaiyaraja and created music for many successful films. Some of these include Mouna Geethangal and Vazhvey Maayam (1983).
Directing Movies
Besides composing, Gangai Amaran also became a film director. His first movie as a director was Kozhi Koovuthu in 1982. He went on to direct many other films, including the very popular Karagattakaran in 1989. His last film as a director was Themmangu Paattukaran.
Getting Involved in Politics
Gangai Amaran also got involved in politics. He joined the BJP party and even ran for election in the RK Nagar area. He also served as a member of the Central Board of Film Certification. This board helps decide which films can be shown to the public.
Filmography Highlights
Gangai Amaran has worked on many films in different roles. Here are some of the movies he directed, composed music for, sang in, or wrote lyrics for.
Director
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Kozhi Koovuthu | Directorial Debut |
| 1983 | Kokkarakko | |
| 1984 | Pozhuthu Vidinchachu | |
| 1984 | Devi Sridevi | |
| 1984 | Vellai Pura Ondru | |
| 1987 | Enga Ooru Pattukaran | |
| 1988 | Sakkarai Panthal | |
| 1988 | Shenbagamae Shenbagamae | |
| 1988 | Koil Mani Osai | |
| 1989 | Karakattakkaran | |
| 1989 | Annanukku Jai | |
| 1990 | Ooru Vittu Ooru Vanthu | |
| 1991 | Kumbakarai Thangaiah | |
| 1992 | Villu Pattukaran | |
| 1992 | Chinnavar | |
| 1992 | Ponnuketha Purushan | |
| 1993 | Koyil Kaalai | |
| 1994 | Atha Maga Rathiname | |
| 1997 | Themmangu Paattukaaran |
Music Director
| 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
| Year | Film | Songs | Composer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Neethaana Andha Kuyil | "Poojaiketha Poovidhu" | Ilayaraja | |
| 1985 | Oru Kaidhiyin Diary | "Ithu Rosa Poovu" | 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)
| Year | Film | Songs | Composer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 16 Vayathinile | Sendhoora Poove / Cholam Vethakkaiyile | 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
Gangai Amaran has also lent his voice for other actors in films.
- K. Bhagyaraj - Puthiya Vaarpugal (1979), Bhama Rukmani (1980)
Onscreen Appearances
He has also appeared in films as an actor.
- Payanangal Mudivathillai (1982) (in the song "Thogai Ilamayil")
- Karagattakaran (1989)
- Ooru Vittu Ooru Vandhu (1990)
- Idhayam (1991)
- Chinnavar (1992)
- Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen (1998)
- Jodi (1999)
- Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000)
- Ullam Kollai Poguthey (2001)
- Thunichal (2010)
- Chennai 600028 II: Second Innings (2016)
- Arya Surya (2013)
- Yaanai (2022)
