Gana Bala

Bala Murugan, better known by his stage name Gana Bala is an Indian playback singer in Tamil cinema. He rose to prominence after rendering the songs 'Aadi Pona Aavani' and 'Nadukadalula Kappala' from the soundtrack of Attakathi. He has predominantly sung songs belonging to the gaana genre of Tamil Nadu.[1] He has been credited for reviving the gaana genre in Tamil Cinema after 'Thenisai Thendral' Deva.[2][3] He has also penned lyrics for some of his songs.

Gana Bala
Bala performing in Mitafest '14
Bala performing in Mitafest '14
Background information
Birth nameM. Bala Murugan
Also known asAnathai Bala, 'Gana Kuyil King' Bala
Born (1971-06-20) 20 June 1971
Chennai
Occupation(s)Playback singer, lyricist, lawyer
Years active2007–2021
Website{{URL|example.com|optional display text}}

Career

Bala first tripped on 'Gaana' when he was in high school. He gained confidence as a Gaana singer when he joined Presidency College, Chennai to study Botany.[4] He later contested in the TV reality show Gana Kuyil Pattu that featured on Kalaignar TV and won it.[5] He has worked on a number of devotional albums and also performed on stage.[4] One of his independent albums, Vaanavil was released by composers Deva and Dhina.[6] He made his debut in the film industry with Piragu composed by Srikanth Deva, son of the 'Father of Gaana Genre' – Deva.[7] He first found success for his songs 'Aadi Pona Aavani' and 'Nadukadalula' in the sleeper hit Attakathi. Since then he has sung a number of successful songs under top composers like Yuvan Shankar Raja and G. V. Prakash Kumar.

He has also sung a jingle with composer G. V. Prakash Kumar to mark the 10th anniversary celebrations of Radio Mirchi Chennai.[8]

Other works

Film work

Apart from singing, Bala has also featured in some of his songs.[9] He has also appeared in a minor role as a mechanic in his debut film Piragu. He has danced for a song in 'Attakathi' Dinesh's second movie as hero, Vaaraayo Vennilaave. At the audio launch of Vikraman's Ninaithathu Yaaro, Bala expressed interest in acting and his desire to become a hero.[10] He will soon turn hero in a film to be directed by K. Selva Bharathy titled Parry's Corner. The film is said to ponder over the fact that while migrants to Chennai hit it big, Chennai-ties still live mediocre lives. Bala will be playing a cycle rickshaw driver.[11][12][13]

Philanthropy

Bala is a law graduate and works as an advocate. He has contested local municipal elections twice as an independent candidate, losing only by slender margins. Bala, who identifies himself as an Ambedkarite, says,[4]

I am always involved in community activities. I like helping people. I would have been a politician if I had not become a singer.

Filmography

As playback singer

Films
Year Song(s) Film Composer Co-Singer(s) Notes
2007"Pathinoru Peru Aattam"
"Unnaipola Pennai"
PiraguSrikanth DevaSolo
Srikanth Deva, Srilekha Parthasarathy
Credited as Anathai Bala
2008"Phona Pottu"ThodakkamJeyrom PushparajCredited as Anathai Bala
2008"Chikku Bukku Rayilu"VedhaSrikanth DevaCredited as Anathai Bala
2012"Aadi Pona Aavani"
"Nadukadalula Kappala"
AttakathiSanthosh Narayanan[14] Also composed
'Nadukadalula Kappala'
2012"Nenaikuthey"PizzaSanthosh Narayanan[15]
2013"Duet Song"
"Pottiyunnu Vanthuputta"
Kanna Laddu Thinna AasaiyaS. ThamanMuralidhar, Rahul Nambiar, Ranjith
Solo
[16]
2013"Thannai Thaane"ParadesiG. V. Prakash Kumar[17]
2013"Edhathaan Kanduttey Nee Pudhusa"SettaiS. Thaman[18]
2013"Mannadacha Pandhu"
"Oru Grammam"
GouravamS. Thaman
2013"Ora Kannala"Udhayam NH4G. V. Prakash Kumar
2013"Kaasu Panam"Soodhu KavvumSanthosh NarayananAndony Dasan[19]
2013"Poosani Kaai"Pattathu YaanaiS. Thaman[20]
2013"Ayyo Ramare"Pusthakamlo Konni Pageelu MissingGunwanth SenTelugu film
2013"Sandhegam"Arya SuryaSrikanth Deva[21]
2013"Hey Baby"Raja RaniG. V. Prakash KumarG. V. Prakash Kumar, Aishwarya[22]
2013"En Veetula"Idharkuthane Aasaipattai BalakumaraSiddharth Vipin[23]
2013"Pa Pa"Pizza II: VillaSanthosh NarayananRap by Vineet Mani[24]
2013"Vaazhka Oru"Naveena Saraswathi SabathamPrem Kumar[25]
2013"Odi Odi"3D Thaedi Pidi AdiKarthik Harsha
2013"Run For Your life"BiriyaniYuvan Shankar Rajaft. PSYCHO.unit
2013"Sethu Po"VizhaJames VasanthanSunandhan, Theodore[26]
2014"Nee Quarter Nan Water" Be Right BackPrinceten Charles[27]
2014"Aaru Adi Veedu"
"All Your Beauty"
Goli SodaS. N. Arunagiri[28]
2014"Don't Worry Be Happy"Nimirndhu NilG. V. Prakash KumarS. Selva
2014"Enda Mapla"CuckooSanthosh NarayananSathish, Dhee[29]
2014"Vaazhkai Thaan"MarumunaiSathya Dev
2014"Bachelor Enakke"Oru Kanniyum Moonu KalavaanikalumNatarajan SankaranRap by Premgi Amaren[30][31]
2014"Lovely Ladies"Naan Sigappu ManithanG. V. Prakash KumarVijay Prakash, Megha, Aryan Dinesh, G. V. Prakash Kumar[32]
2014"Oru Ponnu"Pongadi Neengalum Unga KadhalumKannanM. A. Ramakrishnan[33]
2014"Adaikalam"Yaamirukka BayameySN PrasadEl Fe Choir[34]
2014"Chinnadaaga Morachiputta"Adhu Vera Idhu VeraTaj Noor[35]
2014"Kelunganne Kelunga"VadacurryVivek Siva
Mervin Solomon
[36]
2014"Kokkara Kozhi"SaivamG. V. Prakash KumarChinnaponnu, Ashwitha, Harish, Aishwarya[37]
2014"Elarai"Aindhaam Thalaimurai Sidha Vaidhiya SigamaniSimonYabama JO[38][39]
2014"Nokia Ponnu Samsung Paiyan"Kadhalai Thavira Verondrum IllaiSrikanth DevaSimrutha[40]
2014"Porappu Erappu"PoriyaalanM.S. Jones[41]
2014"Kaakidha Kappal"
"Irandhidava"
MadrasSanthosh NarayananSean Roldan, Tholkappiyan, Santhosh Narayanan
Solo
[42]
2014"Athangarai Orathile"YaanHarris JayarajEmcee Vickey (rap)[43][44][45]
2014"Johny Johny"Vennila VeeduDhanraj ManickamDhanraj Manickam[46]
2014Royapuram-13Dheen DayalShort film[47]
2014"Ayya Padichavare"Jaihind 2Arjun JanyaRajesh Krishnan[48]
2014"En Karunchingamaai"Appuchi GramamVishal ChandrasekarVishnu Muralee[49]
2014"Vaada Poda"MurugaatrupadaiGanesh Raghavendra
2014"Doggy Style"Naaigal JaakirathaiDharan Kumar[50]
2014"Kannaadithanda"Aaaah[51]
2014"Gumthalakka"GuganGuru KalyanSri Nisha[52]
2014"20-20"Cricket ScandalDeepan[53]
2014"Venaam Mappilla"Velmurugan BorewellsSrikanth DevaNaveen Madhav
2014"Enna Solla"Saravana PoigaiD. Vijay[54]
2014"Jinji Nakka"Nee Yen UyireVijay Manthra[55]
2014"Santhayila Bajarula"Saravanan Engira SuryaDhanraj Manickam
2014"Ponnuga Buththi"WinU. K. Murali
2014"Kadhalikka"Rettai KathirDeva Kumar[56]
2014"Thamizh Nattin"Thiraipada NagaramNithin Karthik[57]
2014"Ambaani Ponnu"Vaaraayo VennilaaveKarthik Raja
2014"Yenda"UlaSaajan MadhavNaveen Madhav, Dwayne Bravo[58][59]
2014"Nadukadulula"Vaaliba RajaRadhanRadhan[60]
2014"Atta Kathi Mokka Peesu"Mozhivathu YathenilNithyan Karthik[61]
2014"Adhaaru Udhaaru"Yennai Arindhaal...Harris JayarajVijay Prakash[62]
2014"Jallikattu Kaalai"Manam Nilluna NikkadhadiR.G. Allen
2014"Kastathae Yaaru Kitta"MaalumiBaskar
2014"Friend Nambuda",
"God God"
Rombha Nallavan Da NeeRam Surender
2014Love Pannunga Life Nallarukkum[63]
2014"Aashe Paddadu"Superstar KidnapSai KarthikTelugu film[64]
2014"Kaal Mulacha Beer"Mei MarandhenK. R. KawinK. R. Kawin
2014"Devadas"Ravi Arziyaan (Ksmusic)Saint and Ramnath (Malaysia)
2014"Vandha Malai"DarlingG. V. Prakash KumarKarunas, Arun Raja Kamaraj
2014'"Currency Raja"Currency RajaChinni CharanTamil dubbed version of Vasool Raja starring Navdeep and Sri Hari
2015"Vandha Kada"Vai Raja VaiYuvan Shankar Raja
2015"Sonu papadi"Soan PapdiDhanraj ManickamSivani
2015"Paatha Oru Lookula"Inimey IppadithaanSanthosh Kumar Dayanidhi
2015"Dakalti"Trisha Illana NayantharaG. V. Prakash Kumar
2015 "Chinna Vayasula" Charles Shafiq Karthiga Sidhartha Mohan
2016"Ulagam Oruvanukka",
"Veera Thurandhara"
KabaliSanthosh Narayanan
2016"Naan Kaaylankada"Azhahendra Sollukku AmudhaRajin Mahadev
2016"Rotora Padhayile"AmmaniK
2018"Kaattu Vaasi"Kilambitangayya KilambitangayyaSreekanth
2018 "Maadila Nikkura Maankutty" Vada Chennai Santhosh Narayanan Dhee
2018"Kurukupettai"VaanduA R Neshan
2018"Kudure Kudure"Aadi PuranaVikram Vasisht, Chandana VasishtKannada film
2021"What A Life"TripSiddhu Kumar
2021"Aao Ji Aao"Oh ManapenneVishal Chandrashekhar
2022"Kadamaiyai Sei"Kadamaiyai SeiArunraj
  • The films are listed in order that the film released, regardless of the dates the music released.
Television
Year Song(s) Serials Composer Co-Singer(s) Channels
2013"Uruvaakum Karuvil"VamsamSun TV
2016"Darling Da Da"Darling DarlingVishal ChandrasekharZee Tamil

As lyricist

Year Song(s) Film Composer
2012"Nadukadalula Kappala"AttakathiSanthosh Narayanan
2013"Love Letter"
"Pottiyunnu Vanthuputta"
Kanna Laddu Thinna AasaiyaS. Thaman
2013"Edhathaan Kanduttey Nee Pudhusa"SettaiS. Thaman
2013"Ora Kannala"Udhayam NH4G. V. Prakash Kumar
2013"Kaasu Panam"Soodhu KavvumSanthosh Narayanan
2013"Sandhegam"Arya SuryaSrikanth Deva
2013"Hey Baby"Raja RaniG. V. Prakash Kumar
2013"Vaazhka Oru"Naveena Saraswathi SabathamPrem Kumar
2014"Sokkathaan Aadu"KalavaramF.S. Faisal
2014"Aaru Adi Veedu"
"All Your Beauty"
Goli SodaS. N. Arunagiri
2014"Don't Worry Be Happy"Nimirndhu NilG. V. Prakash Kumar
2014"Enda Mapla"CuckooSanthosh Narayanan
2014"Vaazhkai Thaan"MarumunaiSathya Dev
2014"Open the Tasmac"Maan KarateAnirudh Ravichander
2014"Bachelor Enakke"Oru Kanniyum Moonu KalavaanikalumNatarajan Sankaran
2014"Avalai Nambithan"SalimVijay Antony[65]
2014"Porappu Erappu"PoriyaalanM.S. Jones
2014"Scenu Scenu"Sigaram ThoduD. Imman
2014"Kaakidha Kappal"
"Irandhidava"
MadrasSanthosh Narayanan
2014"Nadukadulula"Vaaliba RajaRadhan
2014"20-20"Cricket ScandalDeepan
2014"Jinji Nakka"Nee Yen UyireVijay Manthra
2014"Santhayila Bajarula"Saravanan Engira SuryaDhanraj Manickam
2014"Jallikattu Kaalai"Manam Nilluna NikkadhadiR.G. Allen
2014VelacheryTajnoor
2014KadavanSrikanth Deva
2014YevanA.K. Sasidharan
2014Aaaah
2014Love Pannunga Life Nallarukkum
2015"Vandha Kadha"Vai Raja VaiYuvan Shankar Raja
2015"Partha Oru Lookla"Inimey IppadithanSanthosh Dhayanidhi

As actor

Year Film Role Notes
2007PiraguMechanicAlso Appearance in the song 'Pathinoru Peru'
2008VedhaHimselfSpecial Appearance in the song 'Chikku Bukku'[66]
2013Udhayam NH4HimselfSpecial Appearance in the song 'Ora Kannala'
2013Soodhu KavvumHimselfSpecial Appearance in the song 'Kaasu Panam'
2013Raja RaniHimselfSpecial Appearance in the song 'Hey Baby'
2014KalavaramSpecial Appearance in the song 'Sokkathaan Aadu'
2014Nimirndhu NilSpecial Appearance in the song 'Don't Worry Be Happy'
2014MarumunaiSpecial Appearance in the song 'Vaazhkai Thaan'[67]
2014Oru Kanniyum Moonu KalavaanikalumHimselfSpecial Appearance in promo song 'Bachelor Enakke'[68]
2014Aindhaam Thalaimurai Sidha Vaidhiya SigamaniSpecial Appearance in the song 'The Elarai'
2014Kaadhal 2014Special Appearance in the song 'Oh Jinglee'
2014Kadhalai Thavira Verondrum IllaiHimselfSpecial Appearance in the song 'Nokia Ponnu Samsung Paiyan'
2014MadrasSpecial Appearance in the song 'Irandhidava'
2014Jaihind 2HimselfSpecial Appearance in the song 'Ayya Padichavare'
2014AaaahSpecial Appearance in the song 'Kannaadithanda'
2015Rombha Nallavan Da Nee
2015Vaaraayo VennilaaveSpecial Appearance in the song 'Ambaani Ponnu'[4]
2015Mozhivathu YathenilSpecial Appearance in the song 'Atta Kathi Mokka Peesu'
2016Nanaiyatha MazhaiyeSpecial Appearance in the song "Manasu Sari Illai"
2016AndamanSpecial Appearance in the song "Kaalai Maalai"
2021Sarpatta ParambaraiUncredited Role
2023Yevan

Awards

Year Film Award Ceremony Category Song(s) Result
2013AttakathiVikatan Awards 2012Best Playback Singer (Male)Nadukadalula Kappala
Aadi Pona Aavani
Won
7th Annual Vijay AwardsBest Male Playback Singer
Best Lyricist
Nadukadalula KappalaNominated
Chennai Times Film Awards 2012[69][70][71]Best Singer (Male)Nadukadalula KappalaNominated

References

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