Gangai Amaran (born 8 December 1947) is an Indian composer,[1] playback singer,[2] lyricist,[3]actor, film director[4] and a screenwriter in Tamil films.
Regarding his name, Gangai was taken from a magazine of the same name which he read during his childhood, while Amaran is derived from a pseudonym Amar Singh, which he wanted to adopt for himself when he aimed to be a lyricist. He has had his personal differences with his elder brother Ilayaraja where he mentioned about many controversial issues with him in his career.[9]
Career
Films
Amaran revealed that his debut film as a composer for Malargalile Oru Malligai starring Malaysia Vasudevan remained unreleased despite the soundtrack being released. Hence, Oru Vidukathai Oru Thodarkathai became his first film as composer to be released.[10] Along with his brother Ilaiyaraja, Gangai Amaran started his career as a composer and composed for many successful films such as Mouna Geethangal and Vazhvey Maayam (1983). Apart from composing, Amaran made his directorial debut with Kozhi Koovuthu (1982) and went on to direct many films including the highly successful Karagattakaran (1989). Themmangu Paattukaran was his last film as a director while Poonjolai which would have been the acting debut of his son Venkat Prabhu remains unreleased.[11] Now he is working with Clusters media college.[12]
Politics
Gangai Amaran also took a plunge in politics by joining BJP and also contested in RK Nagar constituency.[13][14] Apart from that, he also served as a member of Central Board of Film Certification.[11]
