Gangai Amaran (born Amar Singh) is an Indian composer,[1] playback singer,[2] lyricist,[3] actor, film director[4] and a screenwriter in Tamil films.
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]
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]
Gangai Amaran also took a plunge in politics by joining BJP and also contested in RK Nagar constituency in April 2017 later withdrawn it.[13][14] Apart from that, he also served as a member of Central Board of Film Certification.[11]
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Kozhi Koovuthu | Directorial Debut |
| 1983 | Kokkarakko | |
| 1984 | Pozhuthu Vidinchachu | |
| Devi Sridevi | ||
| Vellai Pura Ondru | ||
| 1987 | Enga Ooru Pattukaran | |
| 1988 | Sakkarai Panthal | |
| Shenbagamae Shenbagamae | ||
| Koil Mani Osai | ||
| 1989 | Karakattakkaran | |
| Annanukku Jai | ||
| 1990 | Ooru Vittu Ooru Vanthu | |
| 1991 | Kumbakarai Thangaiah | |
| 1992 | Villu Pattukaran | |
| Chinnavar | ||
| Ponnuketha Purushan | ||
| 1993 | Koyil Kaalai | |
| 1994 | Atha Maga Rathiname | |
| 1997 | Themmangu Paattukaaran |
| Year | Film | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Karai Kadantha Kurathi | Tamil | |
| Kuzhanthaiyai Thedi | |||
| Oru Vidukadhai Oru Thodarkadhai | |||
| Suvarillatha Chithirangal | |||
| 1980 | Ramaye Vayasukku Vanthutta | ||
| Enga Ooru Rasathi | |||
| Tharayil Pootha Malar | |||
| 1981 | Mouna Geethangal | ||
| Sankarlal | Co-composed with Ilaiyaraaja | ||
| 1982 | Kanavugal Karpanaigal | ||
| Vazhvey Maayam | Dubbed Malayalam as Premaabhishekam | ||
| 1983 | En Priyame | ||
| Imaigal | |||
| Hello Madras Girl | Malayalam | ||
| Jeevitham | |||
| Neethibathi | Tamil | ||
| Sattam | Dubbed Malayalam as Sneha bandham | ||
| Justice Raja | Malayalam | ||
| 1984 | Irumbu Kaigai | Tamil | |
| Kudumbam | |||
| Nalellam Pournami | |||
| Nichayam | |||
| Nyayam Ketkiraen | |||
| Ungal Veetu Pillai | |||
| Alakadalinakkare | Malayalam | ||
| 1985 | Mannukketha Ponnu | Tamil | |
| Aagaya Thamaraigal | 25th film | ||
| Hello Yaar Pesurathu | Co-composed with Ilaiyaraaja | ||
| Puthiya Sagaptham | |||
| Naan Ungal Rasigan | |||
| 1986 | Kanna Thorakkanum Saami | Co-composed with Ilaiyaraaja | |
| Namma Ooru Nalla Ooru | |||
| Ayyappa Bhakthiganangal Vol. 6 | Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada | Ayyappa devotional songs album from Tharangini. Released in all four south Indian languages. | |
| 1987 | Chellakutti | Tamil | |
| Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi | |||
| Ettikki Potti | |||
| Ondru Engal Jaathiye | |||
| Oorkuruvi | |||
| Ithu Oru Thodarkathai | wrote all lyrics for this film | ||
| Mizhiyorangalil | Malayalam | ||
| 1988 | Anuragi | ||
| Jeeva | Tamil | ||
| En Thangachi Padichava | |||
| Kabali | |||
| Koil Mani Osai | |||
| Raththa Dhanam | |||
| Thappu Kanakku | |||
| 1989 | Pillaikkaga | ||
| Rudra | Kannaga | Dubbed in Tamil as Kushboo Kushboothan | |
| Swarakalpana | Telugu | ||
| Police Report | Tamil | ||
| 1990 | Pachai Kodi | ||
| 1991 | Pondatti Pondattithan | 50th film | |
| Adhikari | |||
| Rudhra | |||
| 1993 | Aadhityan | ||
| 1994 | Atha Maga Rathiname | ||
| 2009 | Ragavan | ||
| 2010 | Pugaippadam |
| Year | Film | Songs | Composer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Neethaana Andha Kuyil | "Poojaiketha Poovidhu" | Ilayaraaja | |
| 1985 | Oru Kaidhiyin Diary | "Ithu Rosa Poovu" | ||
| 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 |
| Year | Film | Songs | Composer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 16 Vayathinile | "Sendhoora Poove"[15] | Ilayaraaja | |
| "Cholam Vethakkaiyile" | ||||
| 1978 | Kizhakke Pogum Rail | "Poovarasam Poothachu" | ||
| Mullum Malarum | "Nitham Nitham Nellu soru" | |||
| "Raamane Aandaalum" | ||||
| Aval Appadithan | "Uravygal Thodarkatha" | |||
| "Panneer Pushpangale" | ||||
| 1979 | Ponnu Oorukku Pudhusu | "Oram Po" | ||
| "Unakkenathanae" | ||||
| Agal Vilakku | "Etho Ninaivukal" | |||
| "Ellorum Porandhome" | ||||
| Puthiya Vaarpugal | "Thamthananam Thana Thaalam" | |||
| Rosappu Ravikkaikari | "Vethala" | |||
| "Maaman Oru Naal" | ||||
| "Yennullil Yengo" | ||||
| Uthiripookkal | "Yae Intha Poongathu" | |||
| 1980 | Aayiram Vaasal Idhayam | "Hey En Aasa" | ||
| Nizhalgal | "Poongathavae thaal thiravai" | |||
| Ellam Un Kairasi | "Cherikku Sevai seiyum" | |||
| Gramathu Athiyayam | "Aatthu Mettuley" | |||
| "Vaadaatha Rosapoo" | ||||
| "Ootha Kaathu" | ||||
| "Poovae Ithu" | ||||
| Guru | "Maamanukku Paramakudi" | |||
| Moodu Pani | "Yen Iniya" | |||
| "Paruva Kaalangalin" | ||||
| "Aasai Raja" | ||||
| Johnny | "Kaatril Enthan" | |||
| "Aasaiya Kaathula" | ||||
| "Sinorita" | ||||
| "Oru Iniya manathu" | ||||
| Kallukkul Eeram | "Siruponmani" | |||
| "Ennathil" | ||||
| "Kothamalli" | ||||
| "Enthan kairasi" | ||||
| Nenjathai Killathe | "Hey Thendralae" | |||
| "Uravenum" | ||||
| "Mummy Peru" | ||||
| 1981 | Raja Paarvai | "Vizhi Oraththu Kanavum" | ||
| Sankarlal | "Thedinen Puthiya sugam" | |||
| Enakkaga Kaathiru | "Oh Nenjame" | |||
| "Ooty Malai" | ||||
| "Pani Mazhai" | ||||
| Indru Poi Naalai Vaa | "Mathana Mohana" | |||
| "Mere Pyari" | ||||
| Kadal Meengal | "Madhani Madhani" | |||
| Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo | "Yerupudichavare" | |||
| "Kalyanraman" | ||||
| Panneer Pushpangal | "Kodaikaala Kaatre" | |||
| "Aanandha Raagam" | ||||
| "Poonthalir Aada" | ||||
| "Vengaya Sambarum" | ||||
| Alaigal Oivathillai | "Putham Pudhu Kaalai" | |||
| "Vaadi En Kappa Kelange" | ||||
| 1982 | Pokkiri Raja | "Pokkirikku Pokkiri Raja" | ||
| "Vaada En Machigala" | ||||
| Rani Theni | "Samy Sambo Saranam" | |||
| Kozhi Koovuthu | "Aayarpadi Kannanane" | |||
| 1983 | Bhagavathipuram Railway Gate | "Samba Pudhu" | ||
| "Sevvarali Thottathula" | ||||
| Inimai Idho Idho | "Aathoram Koovuthu" | |||
| "Kizhakke Vara" | ||||
| Thudikkum Karangal | "Thottu Kitta" | |||
| "Ullaththil" | ||||
| "Valibam Vaadatha" | ||||
| 1984 | Kai Kodukkum Kai | "Paattha Padichapulle" | ||
| Nallavanukku Nallavan | "Vechukava" | |||
| Mudivalla Arambam | "Then Eduka Ponan" | |||
| 1985 | Naan Sigappu Manithan | "Kungumathu Meni" | ||
| Andha Oru Nimidam | "Pachondiyye Kelada" | |||
| "Kaathiruppadhu Pathiruppadhu" | ||||
| Un Kannil Neer Vazhinthal... | "Ilamai Itho" | |||
| "Nethu Varai" | ||||
| 1986 | Amman Kovil Kizhakale | All songs | ||
| Vikram | ''En Jodi Manja Kuruvi'' | |||
| Kadalora Kavithaigal | "Podinadaya Poravare" | |||
| Mella Thirandhathu Kadhavu | "Ooru Sanam Thonkidichu" | |||
| "Sakkara Kattikku" | ||||
| Maaveeran | "Hey Maina" | |||
| "Sokku Podi" | ||||
| "Nee Koduththatha" | ||||
| Thazhuvatha Kaigal | "Thottu Paaru" | |||
| "Vizhiye" | ||||
| 1989 | Karagattakaran | All songs | ||
| Vettri Vizhaa | ''Seevi Sinukkeduthu'' | |||
| 1990 | Keladi Kanmani | "Enna paduvathu" | ||
| "Mannil intha" | ||||
| Mallu Vetti Minor | "Kaathiruntha Malli Malli'' | |||
| "Manasukkulle" | ||||
| "Unna Paartha" | ||||
| 1992 | Chinnavar | All songs | ||
| Villu Pattukaran | All songs | |||
| 2004 | Udhaya | "Thiruvellikeni Rani" | A R Rahman | |
| 2007 | Chennai 600028 | "Jalsa" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| "Saroja Saamanikkalo" | ||||
| Malaikottai | "Yeh Aatha" | Mani Sharma | ||
| 2008 | Saroja | "Aaja Meri" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| "Kodaana Kodi" | ||||
| "Nimirnthu Nil" | ||||
| 2010 | Goa | "Ezhezhu" | ||
| "Idhu Varai" | ||||
| "Vaaliba Vaa" | ||||
| 2011 | Mankatha | "Vilaiyaadu Mankatha" | ||
| "Ballelakka" | ||||
| 2014 | Ennamo Nadakkudhu | "Va Idhu Nethiyadi" | Premgi Amaren | |
| Megha | "Puthum Pudhu Kaalai'' | Ilaiyaraaja | ||
| Vanavarayan Vallavarayan | "Tharaimelae Irunthae Naan" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | ||
| 2013 | Biriyani | "Biriyani" | ||
| "Edhirthu Nil" | ||||
| 2015 | Massu Engira Masilamani | "Poochandi" | ||
| 2018 | Aruvadai | ''Vannam kulanthuch'' | Ravi Vijay Anandh | |
| Jarugandi | ''Seyiradha Senju Mudi'' | Bobo Shashi | ||
| 2023 | Custody | "Ettu Thesa" | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 2024 | The Greatest of All Time | "Spark" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| Mr Zoo Keeper | ''Kuttipuli'' | |||
| "Santhosha Saaral Mazhai'' | ||||
| Kozhipannai Chelladurai | "Kathirundhen" | N. R. Raghunanthan |
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