# Shankar–Ganesh

Shankar–Ganesh is an Indian music director duo who has worked on Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Telugu movies for around 50 years. They also directed one movie Jagathalaprathapan in 1990

## Personal life

Shankar was the younger brother of music director C. R. Subbaraman while Ganesh was the son-in-law of G. N. Velumani who produced films like Bhaagapirivinai and Paalum Pazhamum.

## Career

They started as assistants to Tamil music composers M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy in 1964 and later the duo assisted M.S.Viswanathan alone from 1965 till 1967. When Shankar Ganesh were composing for a stage play titled "Paadi Parandha Kuyil", Kannadhasan started his own film titled "Nagarathil Thirudargal" in which he introduced Shankar Ganesh as music directors. However that film was stopped, so Kannadhasan took them to Chinnappa Devar and requested him to give them a chance thus making their debut with Magaraasi. After Kannadhasan's death, Shankar Ganesh had their titles changed to " Kavinger vazhangiya thevarin" Shankar Ganesh.
Kaveri Thanda Kalaiselvi was a Natya Nadagam (Dance Drama) wherein Jayalalitha was main lead and rehearsals used to happen at her house with all artistes and musicians coming to her house and doing practice. Shankaraman, musician duo Shankar and Ganesh used to come to play music. Sandhya used to make food and give all artistes breakfast and lunch. This went on for 28 days before the first show happened in 1965. After Jayalalitha became a huge star she recommended Devar Films to give musician duo Shankar Ganesh their debut film as a music director in the film Maharasi starring Ravinchandran with Jayalalitha.
Their first independent release was Magaraasi in 1967. Aattukara Alamelu was a turning point in their career. Musician duo Shankar Ganesh composed music for 2 films of Jayalalitha – Maharasi in 1967 produced by Devar Films and Vandhale Maharasi in 1973 directed by K.S.Gopalakrishnan. Their best known composition were in Naan Yen Pirenden and Idhaya Veenai.

## Bomb blast

On 17 November 1986, Ganesh received an anonymous parcel by post. It contained a tape recorder with a note from the sender saying that the parcel contained a cassette with some ‘new’ music and if Ganesh liked it, he should give the sender a "break" into films. As Ganesh pressed the play button, the tape recorder exploded in his face, injuring his hands and eyes. Plastic surgery restored his hands and allowed him to play the keyboard, but he lost his vision in his right eye and had blurred vision in the left. On 1 June 2014, his vision was restored by a "glued intra ocular lens" technique.
He was also performing on the stage 50 meters away at the Congress rally in Sriperumbudur on 21 May 1991, when a human bomb killed Rajiv Gandhi.

## Personal life

Shankar from the duo died prematurely, while Ganesh continued take the band forward with the name Shankar–Ganesh, and has often been credited simply as Shankar Ganesh himself. Shankar's son Balasubramaniam Shanker made his debut as a music composer through Chinni Jayanth's romantic drama film, Unakkaga Mattum (2000). Ganesh's son Shreekumar, became an actor, and later married actress Shamitha, who starred in Pandavar Bhoomi (2001).

## Discography

Their works include music for the following movies:

### Tamil films

| Year | Film | Notes |
| 1967 | Magaraasi | Debut Film |
| 1967 | Naan Yaar Theriyuma | |
| 1968 | Siritha Mugam | |
| 1969 | Akka Thangai | |
| 1970 | Maanavan | |
| 1970 | Kalam Vellum | |
| 1970 | Kannan Varuvan | |
| 1971 | Deivam Pesuma | |
| 1971 | Kettikaran | |
| 1971 | Then Kinnam | |
| 1972 | Ganga | |
| 1972 | Thaikku Oru Pillai | |
| 1972 | Naan Yen Pirandhen | |
| 1972 | Kannamma | |
| 1972 | Savalukku Savaal | |
| 1972 | Varaverpu | |
| 1972 | Puguntha Veedu | |
| 1972 | Idhaya Veenai | |
| 1972 | Ponmagal Vandhal | |
| 1973 | Manjal Kungumam | |
| 1973 | Vandhaale Magaraasi | |
| 1973 | Amman Arul | |
| 1973 | Kasi Yathirai | |
| 1973 | Dheiva Vamsam | |
| 1973 | Iraivan Irukkindran | 25th Film |
| 1973 | Komatha En Kulamatha | |
| 1973 | Veettukku Vandha Marumagal | |
| 1973 | Vakkuruthi | |
| 1973 | Nathaiyil Muthu | |
| 1974 | Kai Niraya Kaasu | |
| 1974 | Vellikizhamai Viratham | |
| 1974 | Doctoramma | |
| 1974 | Ore Satchi | |
| 1974 | Pathu Madha Bandham | |
| 1974 | Sorgathil Thirumanam | |
| 1974 | Devi Sri Karumari Amman | |
| 1974 | Pandhattam | |
| 1974 | Pudhiya Manidhan | |
| 1975 | Anbu Roja | |
| 1975 | Enga Pattan Sothu | |
| 1975 | Cinema Paithiyam | |
| 1975 | Pinju Manam | |
| 1975 | Panam Pathum Seyum | |
| 1975 | Thangathile Vairam | |
| 1975 | Pattikkaattu Raja | |
| 1975 | Oru Kudumbathin Kadhai | |
| 1977 | Aattukara Alamelu | |
| 1978 | Karunai Ullam | 50th Film |
| 1978 | Ullathil Kuzhanthaiyadi | |
| 1978 | Chinna Chinna Veedu Katti | |
| 1978 | Thaai Meethu Sathiyam | |
| 1978 | Palabishegam | |
| 1978 | Uravugal Endrum Vazhga | |
| 1979 | Inikkum Ilamai |
| 1979 | Thaayillamal Naan Illai | |
| 1979 | Neeya? | |
| 1979 | Ennadi Meenakshi |
| 1979 | Kanni Paruvathile | |
| 1979 | Pasi | |
| 1979 | Othayadi Paathayilae (released in 1980) | |
| 1980 | Kannil Theriyum Kathaikal | composed one song "Naan Unna Nenachen" |
| 1980 | Dhinamthorum Deepavali | |
| 1980 | Vandichakkaram | |
| 1980 | Kumari Pennin Ullathile | 75th Film |
| 1980 | Natchathiram | |
| 1980 | Nijangal Nilaikkindrana | |
| 1980 | Ponnagaram | |
| 1980 | Maria My Darling | |
| 1981 | Veli Thaandiya Vellaadu | |
| 1981 | Anjatha Nenjangal | |
| 1981 | Aani Ver | |
| 1981 | Jadhikkoru Needhi | |
| 1981 | Chinna Mul Periya Mul | |
| 1981 | Kanneer Pookkal | |
| 1981 | Needhi Pizhaithathu | |
| 1981 | Sattam Oru Iruttarai | |
| 1981 | Palaivana Solai | |
| 1981 | Sivappu Malli | |
| 1982 | Darling, Darling, Darling | |
| 1982 | Pakkathu Veetu Roja | |
| 1982 | Nenjile Thunivirunthal | |
| 1982 | Amma | |
| 1982 | Nenjangal | |
| 1982 | Neram Vandhachu | 100th Film |
| 1982 | Mamiyara Marumagala | |
| 1982 | Ilanjodigal | |
| 1982 | Adhisayappiravigal | |
| 1982 | Auto Raja | |
| 1982 | Ayiram Muthangal | |
| 1982 | Kalyana Kalam | |
| 1982 | Kanalukku Karaiyethu | |
| 1982 | Krodham | |
| 1982 | Nenjangal | |
| 1982 | Oorum Uravum | |
| 1982 | Moondru Mugam | |
| 1982 | Pattanathu Rajakkal | |
| 1982 | Poi Satchi | |
| 1982 | Theerpugal Thiruththapadalam | |
| 1982 | Thooku Medai | |
| 1982 | Thunai | |
| 1982 | Ranga | |
| 1983 | Alai Payum Nenjangal | |
| 1983 | En Aasai Unnoduthan | |
| 1983 | Anal Kaatru | 125th Film |
| 1983 | Thai Veedu | |
| 1983 | Dhooram Adhighamillai | |
| 1983 | Nenjamellam Neeye | |
| 1984 | Vaanga Mappillai Vaanga | Film unreleased |
| 1984 | Ninaivugal | |
| 1984 | Nandri | |
| 1984 | Niraparaadhi | |
| 1984 | Osai | |
| 1984 | Madras Vathiyar | |
| 1984 | Vai Pandal | |
| 1984 | Vetri | |
| 1984 | Pournami Alaigal | |
| 1985 | Naagam | |
| 1985 | Chavi | |
| 1985 | Avan | |
| 1985 | Santhosha Kanavukal | |
| 1985 | Anthasthu | |
| 1985 | Bandham | |
| 1985 | Poi Mugangal | |
| 1985 | Chain Jayapal | |
| 1985 | Chidambara Rahasiyam | |
| 1985 | Engirunthalum Vazhga | 150th Film |
| 1985 | Ilamai | |
| 1985 | Kutravaaligal | |
| 1985 | Needhiyin Nizhal | |
| 1985 | Uthami | |
| 1985 | Veli | |
| 1985 | Mangamma Sabatham | |
| 1986 | Aayiram Kannudayaal | |
| 1986 | Anandha Kanneer | |
| 1986 | Piranthaen Valarnthen | |
| 1986 | Kulirkaala Megangal | |
| 1986 | Paadum Vaanampadi | |
| 1986 | Panneer Nadhigal | 175th Film |
| 1986 | Mounam Kalaikirathu | |
| 1986 | Kaalam | |
| 1986 | Samsaram Adhu Minsaram | |
| 1987 | Anbulla Appa | |
| 1987 | Anjatha Singam | |
| 1987 | Enga Chinna Rasa | |
| 1987 | Raja Mariyadhai | |
| 1987 | Oorkavalan | |
| 1987 | Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi | |
| 1987 | Veerapandiyan | |
| 1988 | Aalay Pathu Malai Mathu | |
| 1988 | Mappillai Sir | |
| 1988 | Makkal Aanaiyittal | |
| 1988 | Sahadevan Mahadevan | |
| 1988 | Anjatha Singam | |
| 1988 | Veedu Manaivi Makkal | |
| 1988 | Neruppu Nila | |
| 1988 | Vacha Kuri Thappathu | |
| 1988 | Sivapputhaali | |
| 1989 | En Rathathin Rathame | |
| 1989 | Manidhan Marivittan | |
| 1989 | Sattathin Thirappu Vizhaa | |
| 1989 | Sakalakala Sammandhi | |
| 1989 | Nyaya Tharasu | |
| 1989 | Manandhal Mahadevan | |
| 1989 | Thangamana Purushan | 200th Film |
| 1989 | Thangamani Ramamani | |
| 1990 | Aarathi Edungadi | |
| 1990 | Amma Pillai | |
| 1990 | Sathan Sollai Thattathe | |
| 1990 | Durga | |
| 1990 | Sakthi Parasakthi | |
| 1990 | Aavathellam Pennale | |
| 1990 | Manaivi Oru Manickam | |
| 1990 | Sandhana Kaatru | |
| 1990 | Vedikkai En Vadikkai | |
| 1990 | Idhaya Thamarai | |
| 1990 | Varavu Nalla Uravu | |
| 1990 | Nalla Kaalam Porandaachu | |
| 1990 | Aadi Velli | |
| 1990 | Pattikaattaan | 225th Film |
| 1990 | Vaazhkai Chakkaram | |
| 1990 | Vaaliba Vilaiyattu | |
| 1990 | Pengal Veettin Kangal | |
| 1990 | Jagathalaprathapan | also director |
| 1990 | Pudhusa Oru Kalyanam | Movie Not Released |
| 1991 | Nallathai Naadu Kekum | |
| 1991 | Sendhoora Devi | |
| 1991 | Vaakku Moolam | |
| 1991 | Eeswari | |
| 1991 | Aadi Viratham | |
| 1991 | Thai Poosam | |
| 1991 | Ayul Kaithi | |
| 1992 | Purushan Enakku Arasan | |
| 1992 | Moondram Padi | |
| 1992 | Naane Varuven | |
| 1992 | Urimai Oonjaladugiradhu | |
| 1992 | Deiva Kuzhandhai | |
| 1992 | Chinna Poovai Killathey | |
| 1992 | Devar Veettu Ponnu | |
| 1992 | Sivasankari | 250th Film |
| 1992 | Madha Komadha | |
| 1992 | Harihara Puthran | |
| 1992 | Purushan Enakku Arasan | |
| 1993 | Paarambariyam | |
| 1993 | Sivarathri | |
| 1993 | Karpagam Vanthachu | |
| 1994 | Vaanga Partner Vaanga | |
| 1995 | Mudhal Udhayam | |
| 2006 | Mazhaithuli Mazhaithuli | |
| 2006 | Theenda Theenda | |
| 2022 | Uzhaikkum Kaigal | |

### Kannada films

| Year | Film | Notes |
| 1980 | Maria My Darling | |
| 1980 | Rahasya Ratri | |
| 1982 | Khadeema Kallaru | |
| 1982 | Prema Mathsara | |
| 1983 | Chakravyuha | |
| 1983 | Dharma Yuddham | |
| 1983 | Karune Illada Kanoonu | |
| 1983 | Sididedda Sahodara | |
| 1984 | Naane Raja | |
| 1984 | Shapatha | |
| 1984 | Pralayanthaka | |
| 1985 | Hosa Itihaasa | |
| 1985 | Mareyada Manikya | |
| 1985 | Naanu Nanna Hendthi | |
| 1985 | Savira Sullu | |
| 1985 | Swabhimana | |
| 1985 | Karinaga | |
| 1986 | Na Ninna Preetisuve | |
| 1986 | Tiger | |
| 1986 | Asambhava | |
| 1986 | Kadinalli Jathre | |
| 1986 | Anand | |
| 1987 | Agni Kanye | |
| 1987 | Vijayothsava | |
| 1988 | Samyuktha | Background score only |
| 1988 | Prajaprabhutva | |
| 1988 | Mathru Vathsalya | |
| 1988 | Nee Nanna Daiva | |
| 1988 | Bharath | |
| 1989 | Ade Raaga Ade Haadu | |
| 1989 | Bangarada Baduku | |
| 1989 | Hosa Kavya | |
| 1989 | Mahayuddha | |
| 1989 | Jayabheri | |
| 1990 | Tiger Gangu | |
| 1990 | Mouna Horata | |
| 1991 | Nagini | |
| 1991 | Bombay Dada | |
| 1991 | Bhairavi | |
| 1992 | Mavanige Thakka Aliya | |
| 1993 | Vasantha Poornima | |
| 1993 | Vikram | |
| 1993 | Sidukabeda Singari | |
| 1993 | Sambhavi | |
| 1993 | Vijaya Kranthi | |
| 1994 | Mayor Prabhakar | |

### Malayalam films

| Year | Film |
| 1974 | Ayalathe Sundari |
| 1974 | Chakravakam |
| 1976 | Chirikkudukka |
| 1976 | Kamadhenu |
| 1977 | Tholkan Enikku Manassilla |
| 1979 | Pennorumbettaal |
| 1979 | Prabhu |
| 1979 | Vijayam Nammude Senani |
| 1980 | Anthappuram |
| 1980 | Chandra Bimbam |
| 1980 | Ival Eevazhi Ithu Vare |
| 1980 | Love in Singapore |
| 1981 | Saahasam |
| 1981 | Sankharsham |
| 1981 | Sphodanam |
| 1982 | Aarambham |
| 1982 | Guha |
| 1982 | Kaalam |
| 1982 | Kazhumaram |
| 1982 | Maattuvin Chattangale |
| 1982 | Paanjajanyam |
| 1983 | Angam |
| 1983 | Bhookambam |
| 1983 | Yudham |
| 1984 | Thirakal |
| 1985 | Aadhiyugam |
| 1985 | Pournami Raavil 3D |
| 1988 | Karate Girls |
| 1989 | Mrugaya |
| 1989 | Chakkikotha Chankaran |

### Telugu films

| Year | Film |
| 1980 | Love in Singapore |
| 1987 | Veera Pratap |
| 1987 | Aadade Aadharam |
| 1989 | Ajatha Satruvu |

## Filmography
### As a director

| Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
| 1990 | Jagathalaprathapan | | |

### As an actor

* Othaiyadi Paadhaiyile (1980)
* Sattam Oru Iruttarai (1981)
* Pookkalai Parikkatheergal (1986)
* Namma Ooru Nalla Ooru (1986)
* Neruppu Nila (1988)
* Poovellam Kettupaar (1999)
* Gurusamy (2011)
* Maharani Kottai (2015)
* Unnai Thottu Kolla Vaa (2017)
* Naai Sekar (2022)