Alangudi Somu

Alangudi Somu (12 December 1932 − 6 June 1997) was an Indian Tamil film lyricist who wrote many popular songs in several films.[1] He was active in the field from 1960 till late 1990s.

Alangudi Somu
Born12 December 1932
Alangudi, Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu
Died6 June 1997
Occupation(s)lyricist, poet, producer

About

Alangudi Somu born on 12 December 1932 in Alangudi village that come under the Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency and located in Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu. He was introduced to the Tamil film industry by his friend and poet Puratchidasan.

Career

As a Lyricist

He started life as a lyricist with the song Ambalaikku Pombalai Avasiyandhaan for the film Yanai Paagan sung by A. L. Raghavan and L. R. Eswari.[2]

Many of his songs were written in praise of Hindu Gods like Kanda Un Vasalile (sung by T. M. Soundararajan in Kongunattu Thangam), Avani Ellaam Pukazh Manakkum Amman Arul (Kaanchi Thalaivan), Arulvaaye Nee Arulvaaye (sung by Balamurali Krishna in Sadhu Mirandal) etc.

He wrote the song Iranthavanai Sumanthavanum Iranthittaan which is the only song sung by actor S. A. Ashokan in the film Iravum Pagalum. He wrote all the six songs for this film.

Andavan Ulagathin Mudhalaali is a song that became popular as it was picturised by M. G. Ramachandran in the film Thozhilali. This is the first M. G. R. film that Somu wrote lyrics for. Afterwards he wrote lyrics for many films that featured MGR.

His song Ponmagal Vandaal from the film Sorgam, portrayed in the film by Sivaji Ganesan was an all-time hit. This song was remixed by A. R. Rahman in Azhagiya Tamil Magan (2007).[3] Likewise, his song Aadaludan Paadalai from the film Kudiyirundha Koyil (1968) was remixed by Amresh Ganesh in Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva (2017).[4]

Alangudi Somu wrote about 170 songs in 80 films in a period spanning over 35 years since 1960.

As a producer

He produced two films. The first one Patham Pasali (1970)[5] under the banner Alangudi Movies and the second film Varaverpu (1972) with his wife Sankari Somu as the producer under the banner Velavan Academy.[6][7]

Awards and Felicitations

He was felicitated by the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram (literature, music and theatre), that is under the Government of Tamil Nadu, with the title Kalaimamani for the year 1973-74.[8]

Filmography
1960s

The list was compiled from Thiraikalanjiyam Part-1[2] and Thiraikalanjiyam Part-2.[9]

  1. Yanai Paagan (1960)
  2. Kongunattu Thangam (1961)
  3. Kaanchi Thalaivan (1963)
  4. Kalai Arasi (1963)
  5. Koduthu Vaithaval (1963)
  6. Dheiva Thaai (1964)
  7. Poompuhar (1964)
  8. Thozhilali (1964)
  9. Enga Veettu Pillai (1965)
  10. Iravum Pagalum (1965)
  11. Karthigai Deepam) (1965)
  12. Naanal (1965)
  13. Neerkumizhi (1965)
  14. Oru Viral (1965)
  15. Thazhampoo (1965)
  16. Madras to Pondicherry (1966)
  17. Naan Aanaiyittal (1966)
  18. Sadhu Mirandal (1966)
  19. Selvam (1966)
  20. Arasa Kattalai (1967)
  21. Bhakta Prahlada (1967)
  22. Kaavalkaaran (1967)
  23. Bommalattam (1968)
  24. Kanavan (1968)
  25. Kannan En Kadhalan (1968)
  26. Kudiyirundha Koyil(1968)
  27. Adimaippenn (1969)
1970s
  1. Penn Deivam (1970)
  2. Sorgam (1970)
  3. Kumari Kottam (1971)
  4. Ponvandu (1973)
  5. Thirumalai Deivam (1973)
  6. 16 Vayathinile (1977)
  7. Gnana Kuzhandhai (1979)

References
  1. Guy, Randor (15 September 2012). "Oru Viral 1965". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  2. G. Neelamegam. Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 1 (in Tamil). Manivasagar Publishers, Chennai 108 (Ph:044 25361039). First edition December 2014. p. 210.
  3. "Remix culture – delighting or sickening??". Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  4. "Revoking an MGR classic". 22 July 2016. Archived from the original on 13 December 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  5. Film News Anandan (23 October 2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru [History of Landmark Tamil Films] (in Tamil). Chennai: Sivakami Publishers. Archived from the original on 5 April 2017.
  6. Film News Anandan (23 October 2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru [History of Landmark Tamil Films] (in Tamil). Chennai: Sivakami Publishers. Archived from the original on 5 April 2017.
  7. "Varaverpu (1972 - Tamil)". Archived from the original on 13 December 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  8. "On this day". Dinamalar (in Tamil). 5 June 2019. Archived from the original on 6 June 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  9. G. Neelamegam. Thiraikalanjiyam — Part 2 (in Tamil). Manivasagar Publishers, Chennai 108 (Ph:044 25361039). First edition November 2016.

Bibliography
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