Manikka Vinayagam (10 December 1943 – 26 December 2021) was an Indian

playback singer A playback singer, also known as a ghost singer, is a singer whose singing is pre-recorded for use in films. Playback singers record songs for soundtracks, and actors or actresses lip-sync the songs for cameras; the actual singer does not app ...

and actor. He sang for South Indian language films and acted in several

Tamil Tamil may refer to: * Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils **Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia * Tamil language, nativ ...

films as a character artist. He was the son of the dancer Vazhuvoor B. Ramiah Pillai. His uncle and music guru was the singer

C. S. Jayaraman Chidambaram Sundaram Jayaraman or C. S. Jayaraman (Tamil: சி. எஸ். ஜெயராமன்) (January 6, 1917 – January 29, 1995) was a noted actor, music director and a successful playback singer, whose numerous songs were feat ...

Biography

Vinayagam was born on 10 December 1943 in Mayiladuthurai in the then

Madras Presidency The Madras Presidency, or the Presidency of Fort St. George, also known as Madras Province, was an administrative subdivision (presidency) of British India. At its greatest extent, the presidency included most of southern India, including the ...

. His father Vazhuvoor B. Ramiah Pillai was a

Bharatanatyam Bharatanatyam () is a major form of Indian classical dance that originated in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the eight widely recognized Indian classical dance forms, and expresses South Indian religious themes and spiritual ideas, particularly of S ...

dancer while his uncle

was a singer, music director, and actor in the

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 ''Kollywood' ...

industry. He was introduced to Carnatic and

Hindustani music Hindustani classical music is the classical music of northern regions of the Indian subcontinent. It may also be called North Indian classical music or, in Hindustani, ''shastriya sangeet'' (). It is played in instruments like the violin, sita ...

by his uncle. He picked up the

Nadaswaram The Nagaswaram (nādḥasvaram) is a double reed wind instrument from South India. It is used as a traditional classical instrument in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Kerala. This instrument is "among the world's loudes ...

, a wind instrument, in his youth. Vinayagam debuted as a playback singer in the

Dhill ''Dhill'' () is a 2001 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by Dharani. The film stars Vikram and Laila, while Ashish Vidyarthi, Nassar and Vivek play supporting roles. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Vidyasagar, wh ...

'', with the song "Kannukkulla Gelathi" composed by Vidyasagar. His debut in acting was for ''

Thiruda Thirudi ''Thiruda Thirudi'' ( ''Male Thief and Female Thief'') is a 2003 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by debutant Subramaniam Siva. The film stars Dhanush, Chaya Singh, Karunas, Manikka Vinayagam, and Krishna. This f ...

'' playing the father character to

Dhanush Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja (born 28 July 1983), known professionally as Dhanush, is an Indian actor, producer, director, lyricist and playback singer who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. Starring in 46 films over his career, among hi ...

. Since then, he has sung close to 800 songs in various languages. Apart from these, he has sung close to 15000 devotional

folk Folk or Folks may refer to: Sociology *Nation *People * Folklore ** Folk art ** Folk dance ** Folk hero ** Folk music *** Folk metal *** Folk punk *** Folk rock ** Folk religion * Folk taxonomy Arts, entertainment, and media * Folk Plus or Fol ...

love Love encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states, from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest Interpersonal relationship, interpersonal affection, to the simplest pleasure. An example of this range of ...

and

Carnatic music Carnatic music, known as or in the Dravidian languages, South Indian languages, is a system of music commonly associated with South India, including the modern Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, an ...

songs. Vinayagam also had an orchestra ''Starlings'', which consisted of musicians and singers who were children of other actors. Vinayagam died from a cardiac arrest at his home in

Chennai Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...

, on 26 December 2021, at the age of 78.

Selected discography

Source(s): * "Kannukkulle" - ''

'' (2001) * "Yelai Imayamalai" - ''

Thavasi ''Thavasi'' is a 2001 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by K. R. Udhayashankar starring Vijayakanth in dual lead roles, with Soundarya, Vadivelu, Jayasudha, Prathyusha, Nassar, Ponnambalam playing other pivotal roles. The ...

'' (2001) * "Vidai Kodu" - ''

Kannathil Muthamittal ''Kannathil Muthamittal'' (also released internationally under the translated title ''A Peck on the Cheek'') is a 2002 Indian Tamil-language musical war film produced and directed by Mani Ratnam. It was based on a short story, "Amuthavum Avanum" ...

'' (2002) * "Theradi Veethiyil" - '' Run'' (2002) * "Subbamma Subbamma" - ''

Roja Koottam Roja may refer to: * ''Roja'' (film), a 1992 Tamil-language film by director Mani Ratnam * ''Roja'' (soundtrack), a soundtrack album from the film * Roja Selvamani, an Indian actress-turned politician * ''Roja'' (Tamil TV series), a 2018 soap o ...

'' (2002) * "Vandi Vandi" - '' Jayam'' (2002) * "Kadhal Vandhal" - ''

Iyarkai ''Iyarkai'' (, ) is a 2003 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film that was written and directed by S. P. Jananathan in his directorial debut. The film stars Shaam and Radhika. Arun Vijay—who at the time was known as Arun Kumar—and Bollyw ...

'' (2003) * "Koduva Meesai" - ''

Dhool ''Dhool'' () is a 2003 Indian Tamil-language masala film written and directed by Dharani. The film stars Vikram, Jyothika and Reema Sen. Vivek, Sayaji Shinde, Telangana Shakuntala, and Pasupathy, among others, play important roles. Produced by ...

'' (2003) * "Chinnaveeda" - ''

Ottran ''Ottran'' () is a 2003 Indian Tamil-language spy thriller film starring Arjun, Simran, Manorama, Vadivelu, Tejashree, Sarath Babu and directed by Ilankannan. The score and soundtrack was composed by Pravin Mani. Plot Karthik is an upright ...

'' (2003) * "Theeratha Dum" - ''

Parthiban Kanavu '' Parthiban Kanavu '' ( ta, பார்த்திபன் கனவு, , lit. Parthiban's dream) is a Tamil novel written by Kalki Krishnamurthy. Details Adapted in 1960 into a film of the same name, starring Gemini Ganesan and Vyjaya ...

'' (2003) * "Markandeya" - ''

New New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created. New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz Albums and EPs * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator ...

'' (2004) * "Punnakunnu" - ''

Arul Arul may refer to: People Given name * Arul Chinnaiyan * Arul Kanda Kandasamy * Arul Kumar Jambunathan, Malaysian politician * Arul Pragasam * Arul Ramadas, Indian politician * Arul Shankar, Indian mathematician * Arul Suppiah (born 1983), Malays ...

'' (2004) * "Pattu Pattu" - '' Shankar Dada M.B.B.S.'' (2004) * "Kokku Para Para" - '' Chandramukhi'' (2005) * "Kattu Kattu" - ''

Thirupaachi ''Thirupaachi'' is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language action film written and directed by Perarasu. The film stars Vijay, Trisha and Mallika, with Livingston, Pasupathy, Benjamin, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Vaiyapuri and Manoj K. Jayan in other roles. Ch ...

'' (2005) * "Thaai Sollum" - ''

Kana Kandaen ''Kana Kandaen'' () is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language thriller film directed by K. V. Anand in his directorial debut, and produced by P. L. Thenappan. The film stars Srikanth, Prithviraj, Gopika, and Vivek. The music was composed by Vidyasagar w ...

'' (2005) *"Mannargudi kalakalakka"-

sivappathigaram ''Sivappathigaram'' is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language political action film written and directed by Karu Pazhaniappan. The film stars Vishal, Mamta Mohandas, Manivannan, Rajan P. Dev, Upendra Limaye, Ganja Karuppu and Raghuvaran. The film's scor ...

'' (2006) * "Allave yengalin thaai bhoomi" - '' Aran(Keerthi Chakra)'' (2006) * "Ennamma Devi" - '' Thambi'' (2006) * "Chethavadam" - ''

Veyil ''Veyil'' ( en, Sunshine, italics=yes or ''Sun Blaze'') is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Vasanthabalan. Bharath and Pasupathy are the male leads whereas Bhavana, Priyanka and Sriya Reddy plays the female le ...

'' (2006) * "Aiyyyayyyo" - ''

Paruthiveeran ''Paruthiveeran'' () is a 2007 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by Ameer. The film stars Karthi in his feature film debut as the title character, with Priyamani as the female lead and Ponvannan, Saravanan, Ganja K ...

'' (2007) * "Hey Pangaali" - ''

Majaa ''Majaa'' is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language masala film directed by Shafi, starring Vikram, Asin, Pasupathy, Vadivelu, Anu Prabhakar, Vijayakumar, Manivannan, Murali and Biju Menon (in his Tamil debut). The music was composed by Vidyasagar. It ...

'' (2007) * "Vaa Mahaney Vaa" - '' Onbadhu Rubai Nottu'' (2007) * "Jigu Jickan" - ''

Oram Po ''Oram Po'' () is a 2007 Indian Tamil-language black comedy film starring Arya and Pooja, while Lal and John Vijay play supporting roles. The film, written and directed by the debutant husband-wife duo, Pushkar–Gayathri, was produced by V. ...

'' (2007) * "Namma Ooru Nallarukku" - ''

Seval ''Seval'' () is a 2008 Indian Tamil-language historical romance action film written and directed by Hari and produced by M. A. Jinnah. It stars Bharath, Poonam Bajwa, Simran, and Vadivelu, while Sampath Raj, Prem, Y. G. Mahendran, Rajesh, Y ...

'' (2008) * "America Endralum" - ''

Santhosh Subramaniam ''Santosh Subramaniam'' (spelt ''Santhosh Subramaniyam'' onscreen) is a 2008 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film directed by Mohan Raja and produced by Kalpathi S. Agoram. The film stars Jayam Ravi and Genelia while Prakash Raj, Geet ...

'' (2008) * "Veeramulla" - ''

Kaalai ''Kaalai'' () is a 2008 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by Tharun Gopi. The lead roles are played by Silambarasan and Vedhika. Supporting roles are played by Sangeetha, Seema, Santhanam, Lal and Sulile Kumar. The film's score and ...

'' (2008) * "Theakku Maramaattam" - ''

Magizhchi ''Magizhchi'' () is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language film directed by V. Gowthaman. It stars Gowthaman himself in the lead role with Anjali, Karthika, director Seeman and Prakash Raj playing important supporting roles. The film, based on accla ...

'' (2010) * "Naane Inthiran" - ''

Singam ''Singam'' () is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language action film written and directed by Hari, and produced by K. E. Gnanavel Raja under his Studio Green banner in association with Reliance Big Pictures, and distributed by Sun Pictures. It stars Sur ...

'' (2010) * "Antharathil aadum" - '' Thoppul kodi'' (2010) * "

Virugambakkam Virugambakkam is a residential neighbourhood of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is an important residential area of and is famous for its schools, market, residential colonies and residences of film artists. Virugambakkam had some of Chennai's o ...

vettu kili" - ''Pathiladi'' (2015)

Acting filmography

Source(s): * ''

'' (2001) * ''

'' (2003) * '' Gambeeram'' (2004) * ''

Perazhagan ''Perazhagan'' () is a 2004 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film directed by Sasi Shanker, starring Suriya and Jyothika with both playing dual roles. The supporting cast includes Vivek, Manorama and Manobala. The movie's score and soundtrack ...

'' (2004) * ''

Donga Dongadi ''Donga Dongadi'' is a 2004 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Subramaniam Siva, produced by NV Prasad and Sanam Naga Ashok Kumar under Sri Saideva Productions banner and starring Manoj Manchu and Sadaf while ...

'' (2004; Telugu) * '' Giri'' (2004) * '' Arivumani'' (2004) * ''

Bose Bose may refer to: * Bose (crater), a lunar crater * ''Bose'' (film), a 2004 Indian Tamil film starring Srikanth and Sneha * Bose (surname), a surname (and list of people with the name) * Bose, Italy, a ''frazioni'' in Magnano, Province of Biella ...

'' (2004) * '' Kalvanin Kadhali'' (2006) * ''

Thimiru ''Thimiru'' () is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language action film written and directed by debutant Tarun Gopi. It stars Vishal, Reema Sen and Sriya Reddy in lead and former football player I. M. Vijayan, Manoj K. Jayan and Vadivelu in supporting ...

'' (2006) * ''

Puli Varudhu ''Puli Varudhu'' () is a 2007 Indian Tamil language romantic comedy film directed by G. V. Kumar, starring Jithan Ramesh and Mallika Kapoor, with Manivannan, Saranya, Karunas, and Livingston in supporting roles. The music was composed by Srika ...

'' (2007) * ''

Santosh Subramaniam ''Santosh Subramaniam'' (spelt ''Santhosh Subramaniyam'' onscreen) is a 2008 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film directed by Mohan Raja and produced by Kalpathi S. Agoram. The film stars Jayam Ravi and Genelia while Prakash Raj, Geeth ...

'' (2008) * '' Thozhi'' (2009) * '' Vettaikkaran'' (2009) * '' Bale Pandiya'' (2010) * ''

Va Quarter Cutting ''Va'' ( ta, வ; Tamil numerals, Tamil numeral for 1/4; working title: ''Va Quarter Cutting'') is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language black comedy film written and directed by Pushkar-Gayathri. It stars Shiva (actor), Shiva, SPB Charan and Lekha Wash ...

'' (2010) * ''

Yuddham Sei ''Yuddham Sei'' () is a 2011 Indian Tamil-language neo-noir mystery thriller film written and directed by Mysskin. It stars Cheran and debutant Dipa Shah alongside an ensemble cast including Y. G. Mahendra, Lakshmi Ramakrishnan, Jayaprakash, a ...

'' (2011) * ''

Avargalum Ivargalum ''Avargalum Ivargalum'' () is a 2011 Indian Tamil language romantic drama film directed by Veerapandian. The film stars newcomers Vimal Natarajan, Sathish, Aishwarya Rajesh and Supraja, with Charle, Manikka Vinayagam, G. M. Kumar, Agathiyan, ...

'' (2011) * ''Embathettu'' (2017)

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Vinayagam, Manikka 1943 births 2021 deaths Indian male film actors Indian male playback singers Male actors from Tamil Nadu Male actors in Tamil cinema People from Mayiladuthurai district Tamil male actors Tamil playback singers