Alangudi Somu (12 December 1932 − 6 June 1997) was an Indian

Tamil film Tamil cinema, also known as Kollywood is a part of Indian Cinema; primarily engaged in production of motion pictures in the Tamil language. Based out of the Kodambakkam neighbourhood in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, it is popularly called ''Kollywo ...

lyricist who wrote many popular songs in several films. He was active in the field from 1960 till late 1990s.

About

Alangudi Somu born on 12 December 1932 in Alangudi village that come under the

Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency ( ta, சிவகங்கை மக்களவைத் தொகுதி) is one of the 39 Lok Sabha (parliamentary) constituencies in Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India. Its Tamil Nadu Parliamentary Con ...

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 A. L. Raghavan (1933 – 19 June 2020) was an Indian playback singer, who sang many songs in Tamil-language films. Biography Raghavan was born to a Saurashtra Brahmin family in Ayyampettai near Thanjavur to Lakshmana Bhagavathar, Raghavan ...

and L. R. Eswari. Many of his songs were written in praise of

Hindu Gods Hindu deities are the gods and goddesses in Hinduism. The terms and epithets for deities within the diverse traditions of Hinduism vary, and include Deva, Devi, Ishvara, Ishvari, Bhagavān and Bhagavati. The deities of Hinduism have evolved ...

like ''Kanda Un Vasalile'' (sung by T. M. Soundararajan in

Kongunattu Thangam ''Kongunattu Thangam'' () is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language action adventure film directed by M. A. Thirumugam and produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar. The film stars M. R. Radha, C. L. Anandan and Pushpalatha. It was released on 14 ...

), ''Avani Ellaam Pukazh Manakkum Amman Arul'' ( Kaanchi Thalaivan), ''Arulvaaye Nee Arulvaaye'' (sung by Balamurali Krishna in

Sadhu Mirandal ''Sadhu Mirandal'' () is a 1966 Indian Tamil-language crime thriller film directed by the duo Thirumalai–Mahalingam. It was produced by A. Bhimsingh, who also wrote the screenplay based on a real incident about a man being murdered for mone ...

) etc. He wrote the song ''Iranthavanai Sumanthavanum Iranthittaan'' which is the only song sung by actor S. A. Ashokan in the film

Iravum Pagalum ''Iravum Pagalum'' () is a 1965 Indian Tamil-language crime thriller film directed by Joseph Thaliath Jr. The film stars then newcomers Jaishankar and C. Vasantha, while S. A. Ashokan, Nagesh, Ganthimathi and Pandari Bai play supporting rol ...

. 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 Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran (17 January 1917 24 December 1987), also popularly known as M.G.R., was an Indian politician, actor, philanthropist, and filmmaker who served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1977 until his death in 1987 ...

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 ''Sorgam'' () is a 1970 Indian Tamil-language film starring Sivaji Ganesan, K. R. Vijaya, Rajasree, R. Muthuraman and K. Balaji. The film was directed by T. R. Ramanna. It was released on 29 October 1970 and became a major success, running ...

, portrayed in the film by

Sivaji Ganesan Villupuram Chinnaiya Manrayar Ganesamoorthy, better known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan, (1 October 1928 – 21 July 2001) was an Indian actor and producer. He was active in Tamil cinema during the latter half of the 20th century. Sivaji Ga ...

was an all-time hit. This song was remixed by A. R. Rahman in ''

Azhagiya Tamil Magan ''Azhagiya Tamil Magan'' ( Adorable Tamil son) is a 2007 Indian Tamil-language psychological action thriller film written and directed by Bharathan, written by S. K. Jeeva and produced by Swargachitra Appachan. The film stars actor Vijay in a ...

'' (2007). Likewise, his song ''Aadaludan Paadalai'' from the film

Kudiyirundha Koyil ''Kudiyirundha Koyil'' () is a 1968 Indian Tamil-language spy film directed by K. Shankar. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa and Rajasree, with L. Vijayalakshmi, Pandari Bai, M. N. Nambiar, Sundarrajan, V. K. Ramasamy, S. V. Ra ...

(1968) was remixed by

Amresh Ganesh Amresh Ganesh is an Indian actor, film composer and singer, who has worked in Tamil language films. The son of actress Jayachitra, Amresh appeared as an actor in his mother's productions ''Pudhiya Raagam'' (1991) and then in '' Naane Ennul Ill ...

Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva ''Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva'' () is 2017 Indian Tamil-language action masala film written & directed by Sai Ramani, starring Raghava Lawrence and Nikki Galrani in the leading roles while Sathyaraj and Ashutosh Rana play supporting roles. The film ...

(2017). 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 ''Patham Pasali'' () is a 1970 Tamil-language comedy drama film written and directed by K. Balachander. It is a remake of his own 1969 Telugu film '' Sattekalapu Satteya''. The film stars Gemini Ganesan, Nagesh and Rajasree. Cast ;Male cast ...

(1970) under the banner ''Alangudi Movies'' and the second film Varaverpu (1972) with his wife Sankari Somu as the producer under the banner Velavan Academy.

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 Government of Tamil Nadu is the subnational government for the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is seated at Fort St George, Chennai. The legislature of Tamil Nadu was bicameral until 1986, when it was replaced by a unicameral legislature, l ...

, with the title

Kalaimamani The Kalaimamani is the highest civilian award in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. These awards are given by the ''Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram'' (literature, music and theatre), a unit of the Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of ...

for the year 1973-74.

Filmography

;1960s The list was compiled from ''Thiraikalanjiyam Part-1'' and ''Thiraikalanjiyam Part-2''. # Yanai Paagan (1960) #

(1961) # Kaanchi Thalaivan (1963) #

Kalai Arasi ''Kalai Arasi'' () is a 1963 Indian Tamil-language science fiction comedy film directed by A. Kasilingam. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and Bhanumathi, with M. N. Nambiar, P. S. Veerappa, Rajasree and Sachu, credited as Kumari Saraswat ...

(1963) #

Koduthu Vaithaval ''Koduthu Vaithaval'' () is a 1963 Indian Tamil-language film directed by P. Neelakantan. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran, M. R. Radha and E. V. Saroja. It was released on 9 February 1963. Plot Very disadvantaged from her birth, the unfor ...

(1963) #

Dheiva Thaai ''Deiva Thai'' () is a 1964 Indian Tamil-language film, produced and co-written by R. M. Veerappan, directed by P. Madhavan and starring M. G. Ramachandran. It was released on 18 July 1964 and became one of the most successful Tamil films of t ...

(1964) #

Poompuhar Puhar (also known as Poompuhar) is a town in the Mayiladuthurai district in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was once a flourishing ancient port city known as Kaveri Poompattinam, which is described in Sangam literature like Silappa ...

(1964) # Thozhilali (1964) #

Enga Veettu Pillai ''Enga Veettu Pillai'' () is a 1965 Indian Tamil-language masala film written by Sakthi T. K. Krishnasamy and directed by Chanakya. A remake of his own 1964 Telugu film ''Ramudu Bheemudu'', it stars M. G. Ramachandran and B. Saroja Devi, wi ...

(1965) #

(1965) # Karthigai Deepam) (1965) #

Naanal ''Naanal'' () may refer to these in Indian media: * ''Naanal'', a 1965 film * ''Naanal'', a 2008 TV series See also *''Naanalla ''Naanalla'' () is a 2011 Indian Kannada-language murder mystery film directed by Dinesh Baboo and starring Tarun Ch ...

(1965) # Neerkumizhi (1965) # Oru Viral (1965) # Thazhampoo (1965) #

Madras to Pondicherry ''Madras to Pondicherry'' is a 1966 Indian Tamil-language road film, directed by Thirumalai–Mahalingam and written by Usilai Somanathan. The film stars Ravichandran and Kalpana. It was released on 16 December 1966, became a commercial success ...

(1966) # Naan Aanaiyittal (1966) #

(1966) # Selvam (1966) # Arasa Kattalai (1967) # Bhakta Prahlada (1967) # Kaavalkaaran (1967) # Bommalattam (1968) # Kanavan (1968) #

Kannan En Kadhalan ''Kannan En Kadhalan'' () is a 1968 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by P. Neelakantan, produced and written by R. M. Veerappan, starring M. G. Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa and Vanisri. It was released on 25 April 1968. Plot Kannan is th ...

(1968) #

(1968) # Adimaippenn (1969) ;1970s # Penn Deivam (1970) #

(1970) #

Kumari Kottam ''Kumari Kottam'' is a 1971 Indian Tamil-language film directed by P. Neelakantan. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa, with Lakshmi, Sachu, S. A. Ashokan, V. K. Ramasamy, R. S. Manohar and Cho Ramaswamy in supporting roles. ...

(1971) #Ponvandu (1973) #

Thirumalai Deivam ''Thirumalai Deivam'' is a 1973 Indian Tamil-language Hindu mythological film, directed and written by A. P. Nagarajan. The film stars Sivakumar in the title role, with K. B. Sundarambal, T. R. Mahalingam, Srividya, Lakshmi and A. V. M. R ...

(1973) #

16 Vayathinile ''16 Vayathinile'' (; read as ''Pathinaaru Vayathinile'') is a 1977 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film co-written and directed by Bharathirajaa in his directorial debut. The film stars Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, and Rajinikanth, with Ganthi ...

(1977) #

Gnana Kuzhandhai ''Gnana Kuzhandhai'' () is a 1979 Indian Tamil-language Hindu mythological film, directed by K. Kameshwara Rao and written by Era. Pazhanisamy. Music was by K. V. Mahadevan. The film stars Baby Sudha and Master Sridhar, with Gemini Ganesan ...

(1979)

References

Bibliography

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Somu, Alangudi 1932 births 1997 deaths Tamil film poets Indian lyricists 20th-century Indian poets Indian male poets People from Pudukkottai district Film producers from Tamil Nadu Tamil film producers 20th-century Indian male writers