# Arunmozhi

Arunmozhi (Tamil: அருண்மொழி) (also called Napoleon Selvaraj) (born 1951) is an Indian playback singer and well-known flutist. He has sung songs composed by leading Indian film industry music directors, including Ilaiyaraaja, Shankar Ganesh, Deva, S. A. Rajkumar, Viji Manuel, Swararaj, Harris Jayaraj, Sirpy, Vidyasagar, Soundaryan, Karthik Raja, Siva, Masa, Dhina and Yuvan Shankar Raja. He has also performed in live concerts across the world. He is a part of Ilaiyaraaja's musical troupe, playing flute. Arunmozhi is very familiar with western musical notes, and used to interpret and explain those written by Ilaiyaraaja to other musicians in the group. Introduced by Ilaiyaraaja as a playback singer, Arunmozhi has sung some very popular hit songs.

## Early life

Arunmozhi was born in Thirukandiswaram village, near Nannilam in Tiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu. Arunmozhi, a self-taught musician, started playing flute at the age of nine, with a flute that was made by him. After completing his schooling, he was working as a supervisor in a pharmaceuticals company. His attempt to pursue higher education was disturbed when he lost his documents on the way to Chennai for admission. The events happened after that incident took him to the film industry.

## Career
### Playing flute

After briefly working as flute musician in various amateur orchestras and clubs, Arunmozhi entered the film industry in the year 1980. Shankarsm, a Malayalam movie, was the first film in which Arunmozhi played the flute, and the music was composed by Shankar Ganesh. In the beginning, as a freelancer, Arunmozhi was playing flute for the songs composed by different south Indian music directors. While he was practicing flute in Prasad Studios, Chennai, in November 1984, a major breakthrough in his music career came. Ilaiyaraaja, who was also composing music in the same studio called Arunmozhi through his personal assistant after hearing his flute. Later Arunmozhi met Ilaiyaraaja, and got his first chance to play flute, along with other flutists, for the song “Vanthal Mahalakshmi” in the movie Uyarndha Ullam, which had Kamal Haasan, and Ambika in the lead role. After seeing his performance in this song, Ilaiyaraaja asked Arunmozhi to join his orchestra on a regular basis. Arunmozhi, then, joined Ilaiyaraaja's musical group in December 1984, after completing his commitments with other music directors. For playing flute, Arunmozhi is being considered as an important selection by Ilaiyaraaja. Meanwhile, he played flute for few popular songs including “Malaiyoram Veesum Kaathu” (Paadu Nilave) and “Pallaviye Charanam” (Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam).
In December 1984, the song "Ore Murai Un Dharisanam" in the film En Jeevan Paduthu was the first song in which Arunmozhi, as Ilaiyaraaja's exclusive flutist, played the flute, though this movie was released few years later. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja as a flute-based song, and Arumnozhi has continued to play flute in Ilaiyaraaja's songs in the decades since, including in live concerts. Notable works with flute include "Ila Nenje Vaa" (Vanna Vanna Pookkal), "Thalattum Poongkaatru" (Gopura Vasalile), "Valaiosai gala gala" (Sathyaa), and all the songs in the 1991 drama Chinna Thambi.

### Playback singing

Arunmozhi's debut in playback singing was for the song "Naan Enbathu Nee Allavo Deva Deva" in the film Soora Samhaaram, which had Kamal Haasan, and Nirosha in the lead role. Arunmozhi and K. S. Chithra sang this song. Ilaiyaraaja composed the music. During the recordings of this song, Vaali and Ilaiyaraaja changed his name to Arunmozhi. Ilaiyaraaja is the music director with whom Arunmozhi has rendered most of the songs in his career. Some of Arunmozhi's hit songs include "Punnaivana Poonguyil" (Sevvanthi), "Vaasakari Veppilaiye" (Sirayil Pootha Chinna Malar), "Vennilavukku Vaanatha" (Thalattu Padava), "Velli Kolusu mani" (Pongi Varum Kaveri), "Oththa Roova tharen" (Nattupura Pattu), "Engal Veetil Ella Naalum" (Vaanathaippola), and "Chalakku Chalakku" (Suryavamsam). Arunmozhi has sung in genres such as hymns and choral. He is one of the few singers with good diction in Tamil film music. Arunmozhi also became the staple voice for actor Parthiban.

### Writing lyrics

Arunmozhi wrote all the songs for the film Enakkoru Magan Pirappan and one song for Arasiyal, with Karthik Raja and Vidyasagar composing the music for each film, respectively.

## Discography
### Singer

According to popular online media musical sources, the discography of Arunmozhi includes,
| Year | Film | Language | Songs | Music Director | Co-singers |
| 1988 | Soora Samhaaram | Tamil | Naan Embathu Nee Allava | Ilaiyaraaja | K. S. Chithra |
| 1988 | Soora Samhaaram | Tamil | Neela Kuyile Solai Kuyile | Ilaiyaraaja | K. S. Chithra |
| 1988 | Manamagale Vaa | Tamil | Tell Me Tell Me | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1989 | Pongi Varum Kaveri | Tamil | Velli Kolusu Mani | Ilaiyaraaja | K. S. Chithra |
| 1989 | Pongi Varum Kaveri | Tamil | Dhinamum Sirichi Mayakki | Ilaiyaraaja | K. S. Chithra |
| 1989 | Thangamana Raasa | Tamil | Sokku Podi Vachirukken | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki |
| 1989 | Kai Veesamma Kai Veesu | Tamil | Oru Jann Vaithukku | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki |
| 1989 | Padicha Pulla | Tamil | Seemaiyellam | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1990 | En Uyir Thozhan | Tamil | Aeh Raasaaththi | Ilaiyaraaja | Malaysia Vasudevan |
| 1990 | Vellaiya Thevan | Tamil | Vaanaththil Irunthu | Ilaiyaraaja | Uma Ramanan |
| 1990 | Sirayil Pootha Chinna Malar | Tamil | Vaasakari Veppilaiye | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki |
| 1990 | Kavithai Paadum Alaigal | Tamil | Unnai Kanamal Naan Ethu | Ilaiyaraaja | K. S. Chithra |
| 1990 | Thalattu Padava | Tamil | Odai Kuyil | Ilaiyaraaja | K. S. Chithra |
| 1990 | Thalattu Padava | Tamil | Neethana Neethana | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki |
| 1990 | Thalattu Padava | Tamil | Varaathu Vantha | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki |
| 1990 | Thalattu Padava | Tamil | Vennilavukku Vaanatha | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki |
| 1990 | Pondatti Thevai | Tamil | Aararo Paada | Ilaiyaraaja | K. S. Chithra |
| 1990 | Pondatti Thevai | Tamil | Enathu Raagam | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki |
| 1990 | Madurai Veeran Enga Saami | Tamil | Thangame | Ilaiyaraaja | Sunanda |
| 1990 | Maruthu Pandi | Tamil | Adhamum Yevalum | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki |
| 1990 | Ethir Kaatru | Tamil | Raja Illa | Ilaiyaraaja | Uma Ramanan |
| 1990 | Keladi Kannmanii | Tamil | Enna Paduvathu | Ilaiyaraaja | Ilaiyaraaja, Saibaba |
| 1990 | Aarathi Edungadi | Tamil | Androru Naal | Shankar Ganesh | Sirkazhi G. Sivachidambaram, Swarnalatha |
| 1990 | Mallu Vetti Minor | Tamil | Manasukkulle | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki |
| 1991 | Idhaya Vaasal | Tamil | En Manampol | Viji Manuel | Mano, Malaysia Vasudevan |
| 1991 | Eeramana Rojave | Tamil | Adichachu Lucky Prize | Ilaiyaraaja | Mano |
| 1991 | Thanthu Vitten Ennai | Tamil | Muthamma | Ilaiyaraaja | Uma Ramanan |
| 1991 | Thayamma | Tamil | Oru Muthu Kili | Ilaiyaraaja | Mano, S. N. Surendar |
| 1991 | Vetri Karangal | Tamil | Megha Veedhiyil | Ilaiyaraaja | Mano |
| 1991 | Ennarukil Nee Irunthal | Tamil | Oru Kanam Aagilum | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1992 | Thai Mozhi | Tamil | Thaai Illa Pillai | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1992 | Singaravelan | Tamil | O Ranga Sriranga | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Saibaba |
| 1992 | Singaravelan | Tamil | Pottu Vaitha Kathal Thittam | Ilaiyaraaja | Kamal Haasan, Saibaba |
| 1992 | Thambi Pondatti | Tamil | Sonnaalu Vetkam | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1992 | Naangal | Tamil | Maanay Theney | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki |
| 1992 | Idhu Namma Bhoomi | Tamil | Idhu Namma Bhoomi | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1993 | Maamiyar Veedu | Tamil | Mamiyar Veedirukku | Ilaiyaraaja | Malaysia Vasudevan |
| 1993 | Maamiyar Veedu | Tamil | Oru Jann Vaithukku | Ilaiyaraaja | Malaysia Vasudevan |
| 1993 | Aranmanai Kili | Tamil | Raathiriyil Paadum | Ilaiyaraaja | Minmini , Malaysia Vasudevan |
| 1993 | Ezhai Jaathi | Tamil | Atho Antha Nadhiyoram | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki |
| 1993 | Dharma Seelan | Tamil | Thendral Varum | Ilaiyaraaja | Minmini |
| 1993 | Enga Thambi | Tamil | Ithu Maanodum | Ilaiyaraaja | Uma Ramanan |
| 1993 | Manikuyil | Tamil | Vetti Vetti Veru | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1993 | Manikuyil | Tamil | Kadhal Nilavey | Ilaiyaraaja | Uma Ramanan |
| 1994 | Sadhu | Tamil | Paddikirom | Ilaiyaraaja | Mano, Swarnalatha |
| 1994 | Vanaja Girija | Tamil | Thirumagal Unn | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1994 | Puthupatti Ponnuthaye | Tamil | Maankutti Nee Vadi | Ilaiyaraaja | K. S. Chithra |
| 1994 | Veetla Visheshanga | Tamil | Malarey Thendral | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki |
| 1994 | Sakthivel | Tamil | Malliga Mottu | Ilaiyaraaja | Swarnalatha |
| 1994 | Veera | Tamil | Thirumagal | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1994 | Veera | Tamil | Aathula Annakili | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1994 | Mogamul | Tamil | Nenje Gurunaatharin Sevadi | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1994 | Mani Rathnam | Tamil | Neerodai Thaalampottu | Sirpy | Sujatha |
| 1994 | Mani Rathnam | Tamil | Kuzhanthaikku Pasiyeduthal | Sirpy | Sujatha |
| 1994 | Sevvanthi | Tamil | Punnaivana Poonguyil | Ilaiyaraaja | Swarnalatha |
| 1995 | Villadhi Villain | Tamil | Sarakku Sarakku | Vidyasagar | S. P. Sailaja, Suresh Peters |
| 1995 | Chithirai Thiruvizha | Tamil | Muthanai | Sharath Priyadev | Sindhu |
| 1995 | Periya Kudumbam | Tamil | Raththatha | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1995 | Pullakuttikaran | Tamil | Pothum Edutha | Deva | Uma Ramanan |
| 1995 | Pullakuttikaran | Tamil | Metti Metti | Deva | S. Janaki, Parthiban |
| 1995 | Murai Maman | Tamil | Yennachi Yennachi | Vidyasagar | Sirkazhi G. Sivachidambaram, Swarnalatha |
| 1995 | Raasaiyya | Tamil | Masathana | Ilaiyaraaja | Bhavatharini |
| 1995 | Raasaiyya | Tamil | Dindukallu | Ilaiyaraaja | Ilaiyaraaja, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sindhu Devi |
| 1995 | Nandhavana Theru | Tamil | Unn Munnai Naanum Paada Vantha | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1995 | Nandhavana Theru | Tamil | Adichu Pudichu | Ilaiyaraaja | S. N. Surendar, Mano |
| 1995 | Nandhavana Theru | Tamil | Velli Nilave | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. N. Surendar, Uma Ramanan |
| 1995 | Oru Oorla Oru Rajakumari | Tamil | Vandhaal Vandhaal | Ilaiyaraaja | Mano, Devie Neithiyar |
| 1995 | Oru Oorla Oru Rajakumari | Tamil | Raja Rajathan | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki, S. N. Surendar |
| 1995 | Ilaya Ragam | Tamil | Naan Ondru | Ilaiyaraaja | K. S. Chithra |
| 1995 | Ilaya Ragam | Tamil | Adi Mathalam | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1995 | Chandralekah | Tamil | Tharai Varamal | Ilaiyaraaja | Unni Krishnan, Geetha |
| 1995 | Chandralekah | Tamil | Arumbum Thalire | Ilaiyaraaja | Geetha |
| 1995 | Rajavin Parvaiyile | Tamil | Amman Kovil | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1995 | Rajavin Parvaiyile | Tamil | Kotunge Kotunge | Ilaiyaraaja | Mano |
| 1995 | Rajavin Parvaiyile | Tamil | Ival Yaaro | Ilaiyaraaja | S. Janaki |
| 1995 | Vishnu | Tamil | Singara Kannukku | Deva | K. S. Chithra |
| 1995 | Paattu Padava | Tamil | Iniya Gaanam | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. N. Surendar |
| 1995 | Mayabazar | Tamil | Naan Poranthathu | Ilaiyaraaja]] | Lekha, Devi Neithiyar, Ilaiyaraaja |
| 1995 | Kolangal | Tamil | Therke Veesum | Ilaiyaraaja | Lekha |
| 1995 | Muthu Kulikka Vaarieyala | Tamil | Chik Chik Chik | Soundaryan | S. Janaki |
| 1996 | Vasantha Vaasal | Tamil | Athipathi Azhagu | Masa (songs), Dhina (background score) | K. S. Chithra |
| 1996 | Vasantha Vaasal | Tamil | Puthu Roja | Masa (songs), Dhina (background score) | |
| 1996 | Nattupura Pattu | Tamil | Oththa Roova | Ilaiyaraaja | Devie Neithiyar |
| 1996 | Nattupura Pattu | Tamil | Satti Potti | Ilaiyaraaja | Devie Neithiyar |
| 1996 | Katta Panchayathu | Tamil | Mayavarathu | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1996 | Katta Panchayathu | Tamil | Vendina Veendum | Ilaiyaraaja | Devie Neithiyar |
| 1996 | Irattai Roja | Tamil | Pombalainka Kaiye | Ilaiyaraaja | Ilaiyaraaja |
| 1996 | Gulabi | Kannada | Madhura Naada | Ilaiyaraaja | Sowmya Rao |
| 1997 | Kadhalukku Mariyadhai | Tamil | Anandha Kuyilin2 | Ilaiyaraaja | Bhavatharini |
| 1997 | Kadhalukku Mariyadhai | Tamil | Ayya Veedu | Ilaiyaraaja | Ilaiyaraaja |
| 1997 | Kadhalukku Mariyadhai | Tamil | Anandha Kuyilin | Ilaiyaraaja | S. N. Surendar, Deepika, K. S. Chithra, Malaysia Vasudevan |
| 1997 | Suryavamsam | Tamil | Chalakku Chalakku | S. A. Rajkumar | Sujatha |
| 1997 | Thenpandi Singam | Tamil | Vaarthai Ondru | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1997 | Thenpandi Singam | Tamil | Vilvovukkum | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1997 | Thambi Durai | Tamil | Kanyakumari Neeye | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1997 | Raman Abdullah | Tamil | En Veettu Jannal | Ilaiyaraaja | Bhavatharini |
| 1997 | Kadavul | Tamil | Poovarasan Poove | Ilaiyaraaja | Sujatha |
| 1997 | Porkkaalam | Tamil | Karuvella Kaatukkulae | Deva | Anuradha Sriram, Sujatha |
| 1997 | Bharathi Kannamma | Tamil | Thendralukku Theriyuma | Deva | K. S. Chithra |
| 1997 | Swarnamukhi | Tamil | Kammakkarai | Swararaj | Swarnalatha |
| 1997 | Vasuke | Tamil | Vamsathukku | Ilaiyaraaja | Mano, K. S. Chithra |
| 1997 | Oru Yathramozhi | Malayalam | Kakkalakkannamma | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, M G Sreekumar |
| 1998 | Elavamkodu Desam | Malayalam | Iniyente Kunjithathe | Vidyasagar | Sujatha |
| 1998 | Pagaivan | Tamil | Rajanea | Deva | Anuradha Sriram |
| 1998 | Nilaave Vaa | Tamil | Onnum Onnum | Vidyasagar | Swarnalatha |
| 1998 | Kanmani Oru Kavithai | Tamil | Raagam Azhaitha Geetham | Ilaiyaraaja | K. S. Chithra, Bombay Jayashri |
| 1998 | Kangalin Vaarthaigal | Tamil | Alli Sundhare | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1998 | Veera Thalattu | Tamil | Saanthu Pottu | Ilaiyaraaja | Swarnalatha |
| 1998 | Veeram Vilanja Mannu | Tamil | Mayilu Mayilu | Deva | Swarnalatha |
| 1998 | En Aasai Rasave | Tamil | Pathu Rooba Ravikka | Deva | K. S. Chithra |
| 1998 | Chinna Ramasamy Periya Ramasamy | Tamil | Vaazhaiyadi Vaazhaiyaa | Ilaiyaraaja | K. J. Yesudas |
| 1998 | Cheran Chozhan Pandian | Tamil | Kadhalicha Ponnu | Soundaryan | S. N. Surendar, Shahul Hameed |
| 1998 | Thalaimurai | Tamil | Vellimani Thottil Katta | Ilaiyaraaja | Ilaiyaraaja, Sujatha |
| 1998 | Thalaimurai | Tamil | Dapangkuthu | Ilaiyaraaja | Swarnalatha |
| 1998 | Simmarasi | Tamil | Kumbakonam Santhayile | S. A. Rajkumar | Sujatha |
| 1998 | Kalyana Galatta | Tamil | Velli Malai | Yuvan Shankar Raja | K. S. Chithra |
| 1998 | Kalyana Galatta | Tamil | Kummaalam | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Mano, Sujatha |
| 1998 | Kavalai Padathe Sagodhara | Tamil | Chinna Chinna | Ilaiyaraaja | Devi Neithiyar, Unni Krishnan, S. N. Surendar |
| 1999 | Poomagal Oorvalam | Tamil | Kannai Parikkira | Siva | Devi, Unni Krishnan, K. S. Chithra |
| 1999 | Annan | Tamil | Otha Roobavukku Oru | Ilaiyaraaja | Swarnalatha |
| 1999 | Annan | Tamil | Kutti Nalla Kutti | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1999 | Ullathai Killathe | Tamil | Nee Engey | Deva | |
| 1999 | Sethu | Tamil | Maalai En Vethanai | Ilaiyaraaja | Unni Krishnan, S. N. Surendar |
| 1999 | Sethu | Tamil | Sethuvukku Sethuvukku | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1999 | Sethu | Tamil | Sikaadha Sitrondru | Ilaiyaraaja | Unni Krishnan, S. N. Surendar |
| 1999 | Nee Varuvai Ena | Tamil | Poonguil Paattu Pidichirukka | S. A. Rajkumar | Harini |
| 1999 | Thodarum | Tamil | Naanthaan | Ilaiyaraaja | Gangai Amaran, Malaysia Vasudevan, Sunanda |
| 1999 | Kummi Paattu | Tamil | Samanja Pulla | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1999 | Kummi Paattu | Tamil | Uchi Veyilukku | Ilaiyaraaja | Swarnalatha |
| 1999 | Kummi Paattu | Tamil | Oorukku | Ilaiyaraaja | Swarnalatha |
| 1999 | Kummi Paattu | Tamil | Ammiyile Araichi | Ilaiyaraaja | Swarnalatha |
| 1999 | Kummi Paattu | Tamil | Aasai Machaa | Ilaiyaraaja | Swarnalatha |
| 1999 | Manaivikku Mariyadhai | Tamil | Aakka Poruthathu | Sirpy | K. S. Chithra |
| 1999 | Manaivikku Mariyadhai | Tamil | Elandapazham | Sirpy | Devi |
| 1999 | Rajasthan | Tamil | Jai Jawan | Ilaiyaraaja | T. L. Maharajan |
| 2000 | Vaanathaippola | Tamil | Engal Veetil Ella Naalum | S. A. Rajkumar | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sujatha |
| 2000 | Thirunalveli | Tamil | Ini Naalum Thirunaal | Ilaiyaraaja | Swarnalatha, Ilaiyaraaja, S. N. Surendar, Manorama |
| 2000 | Thirunalveli | Tamil | Yele Azhagamma | Ilaiyaraaja | K. S. Chithra |
| 2000 | Karisakattu Poove | Tamil | Ethanai Manikku | Ilaiyaraaja | Anuradha Sriram |
| 2000 | Maayi | Tamil | Ola Ola | S. A. Rajkumar | Swarnalatha |
| 2000 | Kannukkul Nilavu | Tamil | Adida Melathai | Ilaiyaraaja | S. N. Surendar, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| 2001 | Kanna Unnai Thedukiren | Tamil | Rasathi Rasathi | Ilaiyaraaja | Anuradha Sriram, Harini |
| 2001 | Friends | Tamil | Vaanam Perusuthan | Ilaiyaraaja | Vijay Yesudas, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| 2001 | Vinnukum Mannukum | Tamil | Chembaruthi Poo | Sirpy | K. S. Chithra |
| 2001 | Dosth | Tamil | Ethen Thottathu | Deva | Swarnalatha |
| 2002 | Ivan | Tamil | Bhajanai Seivom | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 2002 | Ivan | Tamil | Pattukku Pogathinga | Ilaiyaraaja | S. N. Surendar, Febi Mani |

### Lyricist

| Year | Film | Songs | Music Director |
| 1996 | Enakkoru Magan Pirappan | Aathu Mettulae | Karthik Raja |
| 1996 | Enakkoru Magan Pirappan | En Raasi | Karthik Raja |
| 1996 | Enakkoru Magan Pirappan | Chum Chum | Karthik Raja |
| 1996 | Enakkoru Magan Pirappan | Poocharamai | Karthik Raja |
| 1996 | Enakkoru Magan Pirappan | Enthan Manam | Karthik Raja |
| 1997 | Arasiyal | Vaa sakhi | Vidyasagar |
| 1997 | Ullaasam | Valibam Vaazha Sollum | Karthik Raja |
| 1997 | Adimai Changili | Ellora Ellora | Deva |