# Gangai Amaran

Gangai Amaran (born Amar Singh) is an Indian composer, playback singer, lyricist, actor, film director 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 Daniel 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. 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. His wife Manimegalai (Kala) died on 9 May 2021.
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.

## 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. 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. Now he is working with Clusters media college.

### Politics

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

## Filmography
### 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 2024 | Kozhipannai Chelladurai | "Kathirundhen" | N. R. Raghunanthan |

### Dubbing artist

* K. Bhagyaraj - Puthiya Vaarpugal (1979), Bhama Rukmani (1980)

### Onscreen appearances

* 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)