# Senthildass Velayutham

Senthildass Velayutham (earlier called Senthildass), an Indian playback singer, predominantly works in Tamil film industry. He has also been singing playback in Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi movies. In the beginning, Senthildass used to record his own songs and published them on social media. Senthildass has performed more than 5000 live concerts in India and abroad. He was one of the key persons in the protest against the use of agriculture lands for hydrocarbon extraction project in the delta region of Tamil Nadu.

## Early life

Senthildass Velayutham was born in Neduvasal village in Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu. He was a self-taught musician during his school days in Neduvasal village. While studying in college in Pudukkottai, he used to sing in light music band. He later moved to Chennai for searching job, and got a chance to sing in light music orchestra. During the musical program, the other musicians encouraged him to learn music properly for a better performance. He then joined Tamil Music College, Chennai. He completed a three-year diploma in music, and also got a master's degree in music from the same college. By seeing his academic performance, Tamil Music College offered him the position of a lecturer. After working for a year, he realized that his dream to sing in movies is going away.

## Career

With an ambition to become a playback singer, Senthildass Velayutham recorded his vocals and played to different music directors. It was music composer Srikanth Deva who gave him the first chance to sing the song “Usilampatti Sandhaiyila” in a 2008 Tamil movie Thenavattu, which was a popular folk song. Since then he has sung the songs composed by all leading music directors in the film industry including Ilaiyaraaja, Deva, Harris Jayaraj, D. Imman, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Sundar C Babu, Karthik Raja, Dhina, Mani Sharma, Santhosh Narayanan, Sam C. S., Vijay Antony, Isaac Thomas Kottukapally and Sabesh–Murali. His song “Andipatti Kanava Kathu” in the 2016 Tamil hit movie Dharmadurai, sung with Surmukhi Raman, made him a popular singer.
Senthildass Velayutham wrote the song "Enna Vittu Pona" for the film Raame Aandalum Raavane Aandalum with Krish composing the music.

## Discography

The discography of Senthildass Velayutham includes:
| Year | Film | Language | Songs | Music Director | Co-singers |
| 2006 | Aacharya | Tamil | Kannai Katti | Srikanth Deva | |
| 2006 | Aacharya | Tamil | Uyirin Uirey | Srikanth Deva | |
| 2006 | Nenjirukkum Varai | Tamil | Yedho Onnu | Srikanth Deva | Priyadharshini |
| 2006 | Kumaran | Tamil | Go Go Azhago | Harris Jayaraj | |
| 2007 | Madurai Veeran | Tamil | Uyirum Uyirum | Srikanth Deva | Surmukhi Raman |
| 2007 | Madurai Veeran | Tamil | Nyokka Makka | Srikanth Deva | Priyadharshini, Srikanth Deva |
| 2007 | Puli Varudhu | Tamil | Kadhalikka Solludi | Srikanth Deva | Manikka Vinayagam, Swarnalatha, Karunas |
| 2007 | Naalaiya Pozhuthum Unnodu | Tamil | Poovenbatha | Srikanth Deva | Srimathumitha |
| 2007 | Aalwar | Tamil | Pallaandu | Srikanth Deva | P. Unnikrishnan |
| 2007 | Aalwar | Tamil | Mayile Mayile | Srikanth Deva | Srikanth Deva, Roshini, Suruthipriya, Arjun Thamas, Sujavitha |
| 2008 | Thangam | Tamil | Chinna Chinna mukkuthi | Srikanth Deva | Surmukhi Raman |
| 2008 | Sila Nerangalil | Tamil | Embavai Embavai | Srikanth Deva | Reshmi |
| 2008 | Thotta | Tamil | Saami Aaduda | Srikanth Deva | Surmukhi Raman, Asith |
| 2008 | Kodaikanal | Tamil | Chinna China Kathai | Deva | Krishnaraj, S. Sathya |
| 2008 | Pandi | Tamil | Aadi Adangum Ulagathila | Srikanth Deva | Grace Karunas |
| 2008 | Pandi | Tamil | Oorai Suthum | Srikanth Deva | |
| 2008 | Thenavattu | Tamil | Usilampatti Sandhaiyila | Srikanth Deva | Shankar Mahadevan, Mahalakshmi Iyer |
| 2008 | Arjunan Kadhali | Tamil | Maana Madhura | Srikanth Deva | Sangeetha |
| 2008 | Thiruvannamalai | Tamil | Kaadai | Srikanth Deva | Magi, Renuka |
| 2008 | Aayudham Seivom | Tamil | Kandom Kandom | Srikanth Deva | Murugesh |
| 2009 | Naadodigal | Tamil | Yakka Yakka | Sundar C. Babu | Chandran, Srilekha |
| 2009 | Vedigundu Murugesan | Tamil | Manjapattu | Dhina | Malathy |
| 2009 | Vaidehi | Tamil | Kadhal Poo | Srikanth Deva | Ajubai |
| 2009 | Vanam Partha Seemayile | Tamil | Yai Yai Raaakkamma | Srikanth Deva | Jaya Sreekumar, Renuka |
| 2009 | Enga Raasi Nalla Raasi | Tamil | Entha Varusam | Deva | Renuka |
| 2010 | Virudhagiri | Tamil | Mannavane Mandhirane | Sundar C Babu | |
| 2010 | Goripalayam | Tamil | Aapakari Aapakari | Sabesh–Murali | Murali, Shyam, Mimicry Senthil |
| 2011 | Avargalum Ivargalum | Tamil | Para Para | Srikanth Deva | Karthik, Surmukhi Raman, Renuka |
| 2011 | Kandaen | Tamil | Yavarakum Thalaivan | Vijay Ebenezer | Chinmayi |
| 2011 | Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai | Tamil | Adiye Ivale | Ilaiyaraaja | Thanjai Selvi, Snehan, Lenin Bharathi, Hemambika, Murugan, Iyyappan, Master Regan, Anita |
| 2011 | Madhikettan Saalai | Tamil | Naadu Summa Kidanthalum | Srikanth Deva | Karthik, Velmurugan |
| 2011 | Vellore Maavattam | Tamil | Adikuthu Adikuthu | Sundar C Babu | Manikka Vinayagam, Navven Madhav, Maanasa, Malgudi Subha |
| 2011 | Markandeyan | Tamil | Paasam Indri | Sundar C Babu | |
| 2011 | Vedi | Tamil | Bombay Ponnu | Vijay Antony | Mamta Sharma, M. L. R. Karthikeyan |
| 2011 | Varnam | Tamil | Dangaa Dungaa | Isaac Thomas Kottukapally | |
| 2011 | Mudhal Idam | Tamil | Mudhal Idam | D. Imman | Feji, Ranaina Reddy, Sam P. Keerthan, Vasudevan |
| 2011 | Thambikottai | Tamil | Vaa Pulla | D. Imman | Velmurugan, Mukesh, M. L. R. Karthikeyan |
| 2012 | Muthal Thagaval Arikkai | Tamil | Un Athanum Naanthane | Ravi Raagav | Surmukhi Raman |
| 2012 | Vachathi | Tamil | Uyirahasi | Jack Srivathsan | |
| 2012 | Pudhumugangal Thevai | Tamil | Adicha Ghilli | Twinz Tunes | Mukesh Mohamed, Priya Himesh |
| 2013 | Biriyani | Telugu | Adugule Na Ningi | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Sathyan, Saketh Naidu, Rakendu Mouli |
| 2013 | All in All Azhagu Raja | Tamil | All in All | S. Thaman | Suchith Suresan, Sam P.Keerthan, Belly Raj |
| 2013 | Arya Surya | Tamil | mama | Srikanth Deva | Gangai Amaran, Belliraj, Mahathi, Hemambika, Surmukhi Raman |
| 2014 | Thirudan Police | Tamil | Ennodu Vaa | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Sathyan, Priyadharshini |
| 2014 | Kadhal Solla Aasai | Tamil | Ramaiya Osthavaiya | M. M. Srilekha | Velmurugan, MK Balaji, Krishnamurthy |
| 2015 | Sagaptham | Tamil | Vaada Vaada | Karthik Raja | Ramya NSK |
| 2015 | Surya vs Surya | Telugu | Sayantham Aaruki | Satya Mahaveer | |
| 2015 | Vasuvum Saravananum Onna Padichavanga | Tamil | Lucka Maattikkichi | D. Imman | Dholak Gana Jagan, Palaniammal |
| 2015 | Rudhramadevi | Telugu | Rajathi Raja Sri Ganapathi | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| 2015 | Jippaa Jimikki | Tamil | Vennilaa Poloru | Ranib | V V Prasanna, Surmukhi Raman |
| 2016 | Chennai 600028 II | Tamil | House Party | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| 2016 | Dharma Durai | Tamil | Andipatti | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Surmukhi Raman |
| 2016 | Narathan | Tamil | My Name Is Chandhrika | Mani Sharma | Suchitra, Narendhran |
| 2016 | Aagam | Tamil | Muttalae | Vishal Chandrashekhar | Anthony Daasan |
| 2016 | Atti | Tamil | Ayodhi Kuppam | Sundar C Babu | |
| 2016 | Atti | Tamil | Yedhedho Pidikkuthe | Sundar C Babu | |
| 2016 | Atti | Tamil | Gilli Bambaram | Sundar C Babu | Gana Vinoth |
| 2016 | Vaarayo Vennilave | Tamil | Uyir Ennum | Karthik Raja | Rita, Madhushree |
| 2016 | Kabali | Telugu | Okade Okkokokade | Santhosh Narayanan | Ananthu, Vasudevan, Roshan Jamrock |
| 2017 | Taramani | Tamil | Paavangalai | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Mukesh Mohamed, Yuvan Shankar Raja |
| 2018 | Idam Porul Yaeval | Tamil | Eerakkaathae | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Anitha |
| 2018 | Jeyikkira Kuthira | Tamil | Kaadhal embadhu | K. R. Kawin Siva | Priya Subramani |
| 2018 | Sandakozhi 2 | Telugu | Sichubuddi Pillagada | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Srivardhini |
| 2018 | Thodraa | Tamil | Iru Paravai | R.N. Uthamaraja and Navin Shander | |
| 2018 | Genius | Tamil | Velaiyadu Magane | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Surmukhi Raman, Sam, Pawan,Priya Himesh, Sri Varthini |
| 2018 | Poya Velaya Pathukittu | Tamil | Aayiram Jenmam | Sri Sai Sasi | Surmukhi Raman |
| 2019 | Nerkonda Paarvai | Tamil | Thee Mugam Dhaan | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Sathyan, Sarath Santhosh |
| 2019 | Kaappaan | Telugu | Seruku | Harris Jayaraj | Senthil Ganesh, Ramani Ammal |
| 2019 | Ayogya | Tamil | Yaaro Yaaro | Sam C. S. | Sowmya Ramani |
| 2021 | Raame Aandalum Raavane Aandalum | Tamil | Kodangi | Krish | |
| 2021 | Raame Aandalum Raavane Aandalum | Tamil | Enna Vittu Pona | Krish | |

## Participation in Neduvasal protest

Senthildass Velayutham was the public face of a people's movement at Neduvasal, a village in the delta region with rich groundwater and fertile soil, against the proposed hydrocarbon extraction process in delta region in Tamil Nadu. In 2017, Neduvasal, located about 60 km from Thanjavur, became the centre of global attention, after farmers and residents of more than 60 villages staged widespread protests against a proposed multi-crore hydrocarbon extracting project citing environmental concerns, and the effects it could have on their agricultural lands. Conceived in 2009, this hydrocarbon project covers 667 square km area in Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Pudukkottai, Thiruvarur, Tiruchirappalli, Ariyalur, Perambalur and Karaikal districts. Senthildass was one the committee members who made several representations to the state and central governments to withdraw the hydrocarbon extraction project. The protest was called off after three weeks, following an assurance from the governments to suspend the project.