# Aaroor Dass

S. Yesudas (10 September 1931 – 20 November 2022) known by his stage name Aaroor Dass, was an Indian stage, film and television Screenwriter who was active in Tamil cinema during the latter part of the 20th century. Aaroor Dass has written the story and dialogues for over 1000 films, who dominate the Tamil film for more than 40 years. He wrote his first film for actor Sivaji Ganesan's Pasamalar (1961). He debuted as a director with the film Penn Endral Penn (1967).

## Early life

Dass was born on 10 September 1931 to Sathyagu and Arockiya Mary as Yesudas at Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam. He had three younger brothers and three younger sisters. Aaroor Dass attended Thiruvarur Jilla Board Higher Secondary School. Aaroor refers to Thiruvarur.

## Career

Dass started his career as an assistant to Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass in 1955 and assisted in writing the dialogues for the film called Naattiya Thara. He has said that he named his first child as Arokyamary and also gave a pet name, Thara Devi in remembrance of this film. He wrote his debut film as Vaazha Vaitha Deivam (1959) produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar. Then, he wrote next film for Sivaji Ganesan's Pasamalar (1961) and continued to write for the thespian in 28 films. When he wrote Pasamalar, Das was 28 years, Sivji Ganesan was 32 and Savitri was 24. He wrote for nearly the same number of M. G. Ramachandran too (including a few that were not released). Dass worked with many top class directors of yesteryears, like A. Bhimsingh, A. C. Tirulokchandar, M. A. Thirumugam and many others. He was associate director under Tirulokchandar and Dever films. He has written stage plays like Thirisoolam and Jenma Thandanai. In June 2022, Aaroor Dass received the Kalaignar Kalaithurai Vithagar Award from the government of Tamil Nadu.

## Personal life and death

Dass married Baby, the couple had four children; three daughters Thara, Aasha and Usha and a son Ravichandran. He lived in Nathamuni Street in T. Nagar in Chennai.
Dass died in Chennai on 20 November 2022, at the age of 91.

## Filmography
### As writer

| Year | Movie | Note |
| 1954 | Naattiya Thara | |
| 1957 | Sathiyavan Savithri | |
| 1958 | Zimbo | Dubbed version of Hindi film of same name |
| 1959 | Vaazha Vaitha Deivam | Debut Film |
| 1959 | Nala Damayanthi | |
| 1960 | Uthami Petra Rathinam | |
| 1961 | Pasamalar | |
| 1961 | Kongunattu Thangam | |
| 1961 | Thaai Sollai Thattadhe | |
| 1962 | Kudumba Thalaivan | |
| 1962 | Paarthaal Pasi Theerum | |
| 1962 | Padithal Mattum Podhuma | |
| 1962 | Thayai Katha Thanayan | |
| 1963 | Annai Illam | |
| 1963 | Needhikkuppin Paasam | |
| 1963 | Paar Magale Paar | |
| 1963 | Parisu | |
| 1964 | Thozhilali | |
| 1964 | Puthiya Paravai | |
| 1964 | Vettaikaaran | |
| 1965 | Aasai Mugam | |
| 1965 | Idhaya Kamalam | |
| 1965 | Kaakum Karangal | |
| 1965 | Kaattu Rani | |
| 1965 | Thazhampoo | |
| 1966 | Anbe Vaa | |
| 1966 | Petralthan Pillaiya | |
| 1966 | Thaali Bhagyam | |
| 1966 | Thanipiravi | |
| 1967 | Iru Malargal | |
| 1967 | Thaikku Thalaimagan | |
| 1967 | Thangai | |
| 1969 | Akka Thangai | |
| 1969 | Anbalippu | |
| 1969 | Deiva Magan | |
| 1971 | Praptham | |
| 1974 | Panathukkaga | |
| 1976 | Bhadrakali | |
| 1977 | Avan Oru Sarithiram | |
| 1978 | Vanakkatukuriya Kathaliye | |
| 1979 | Naan Vazhavaippen | |
| 1979 | Pattakathi Bhairavan | |
| 1983 | Sumangali | |
| 1984 | Niraparaadhi | |
| 1984 | Osai | |
| 1984 | Unnai Naan Santhithen | |
| 1984 | Vidhi | |
| 1984 | My Dear Kuttichathan | Dubbed version of Malayalam film My Dear Kuttichathan |
| 1985 | Bandham | |
| 1985 | Mangamma Sapatham | |
| 1985 | Poo Ondru Puyalaanathu | Dubbed version of Telugu film Pratighatana |
| 1986 | Marumagal | |
| 1986 | Viduthalai | |
| 1987 | Anbulla Appa | |
| 1987 | Vairagyam | |
| 1987 | Kudumbam Oru Koyil | |
| 1989 | Idhu Dhanda Police | Dubbed version of Telugu film Ankusam |
| 1989 | Mannikka Vendugiren | Dubbed version of Telugu film Yamapaasam |
| 1990 | Vyjayanthi IPS | Dubbed version of Telugu film Karthavyam |
| 1992 | Asokan | Dubbed version of Malayalam film Yoddha |
| 1993 | Evana Irundha Enakenna | Dubbed version of Telugu film Aagraham |
| 1993 | Surya | Dubbed version of Telugu film Nippu Ravva |
| 1994 | Watchman Vadivelu | |
| 1994 | Hero | |
| 1995 | The King | Dubbed version of Malayalam film The King |
| 1996 | Kutty Sippaigal | dubbed version of telugu film Little Soldiers |
| 2001 | Pappa | Dubbed version of Telugu film Devi Putrudu |
| 2004 | Anbu Sagothiran | Dubbed version of Telugu film Puttintiki Raa Chelli |
| 2014 | Tenaliraman | |

### As director

| Year | Movie | Actor | Note | Ref(s) |
| 1967 | Penn Endral Penn | Gemini Ganesan | | |