Vasudevan (15 June 1944 – 20 February 2011), known as Malaysia Vasudevan, was a Malaysian-Indian playback singer and

actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), li ...

Tamil cinema 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 ...

Early life

Malaysia Vasudevan's parents were from

Palakkad Palakkad (), formerly known as Palghat, historically known as Palakkattussery is a city and municipality in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the administrative headquarters of the Palakkad District. Palakkad is most densely populated municipal ...

. Chattu Nair of Ottappalam and Ammalu of Polpulli, along with their families migrated to British Malaya in search of a livelihood. After a few years, Chattu Nair married Ammalu in an arranged marriage. Vasudevan was born on 15 June 1944 as their eighth and youngest child. Even though he was a

Malayali The Malayali people () (also spelt Malayalee and also known by the demonym Keralite) are a Dravidian ethnolinguistic group originating from the present-day state of Kerala in India, occupying its southwestern Malabar coast. They are predomin ...

, as was the case with the majority of contemporary South Indian migrants to Malaya then, his surroundings in Malaysia was dominated by the Tamil language and culture. As such, Tamil became his language of choice, at school and at home. Chattu Nair was musically inclined and all his children grew up with a natural ability to sing and appreciate music. Malaysia Vasudevan had once said that all his family members, except his mother Ammalu, were singers. Chattu Nair used to entertain the estate labourers by singing. He first started learning music from his father and later on, his brother taught him. Vasudevan started singing on stage when he was eight. Vasudevan was also interested in acting. When Vasudevan grew up, he attached himself to Tamil drama troupes in Malaysia as an actor and singer. The producers of one of his plays ''Ratha Paei'', wanted to make it into a film. Vasudevan came with the group to Chennai and acted in the film ''Raththa Paei''. He even sang a song for the film under the baton of

G. K. Venkatesh Gurusala Krishnadas Venkatesh (21 September 1927 – 17 November 1993) was an Indian film score composer who primarily worked in Kannada cinema during the 1960s, 1970s and until the late-1980s. He also composed music for Telugu, Malayalam and Ta ...

, for whom Ilaiyaraaja was working as the assistant.

Professional career

Playback singer

Malaysia Vasudevan's first major song was in the film ''Delhi to Madras'', that starred Jaishankar and

Srividya Srividya (24 July 1953 – 19 October 2006), also known as Sreevidya, was an Indian actress best known for her work predominantly in Malayalam and Tamil films, along with few Telugu, Kannada and Hindi films. In a career spanning for 40 years, ...

. It was a comedy song "Paalu Vikkira Padma Un Paalu Romba Suthhama?", for the music director V. Kumar. This chance was made possible by his friendship with the film's producer Pollachi Rathnam. After that, he joined the Pavalar Brothers troupe which was run by Ilaiyaraaja and his brothers. During a stage performance, music director M. S. Viswanathan heard Vasudevan and gave him a small piece of a song in ''Bharatha Vilas'' (he sang for the Punjabi in "Indhiya Naadu En Veedu") and then a song in ''Thalai Prasavam''. His first big break came when

Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan (2 March 1935 – 8 September 2008) was an Indian classical music violinist and music composer. Early life Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan was born on 2 March 1935 and was trained by his father, Ramaswamy Sastry. He was the brother ...

made him sing "Kaalam Seyyum Vilaiyattu" in ''Kumasthavin Magal''. Vasudevan was rechristened Malaysia Vasudevan by A. P. Nagarajan in this film. Later, when his good friend Ilaiyaraaja debuted in the Tamil film industry with ''Annakili'', he was asked to sing in the film, and after "Aattukutti Muttai Ittu" from ''

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 ...

'' happened, Malaysia Vasudevan never looked back. Ilaiyaraaja backed him until he became a star singer. Malaysia Vasudevan has sung close to 8,000 songs in his career spanning three decades, most for Ilaiyaraaja. Illayaraja made Malaysia Vasudevan sing songs of all types and genres. Malaysia Vasudevan performed each song with utmost sincerity and surprised everyone with the range he had. Soft romantic songs like "Indha Minminikku" (''

Sigappu Rojakkal ''Sigappu Rojakkal'' () is a 1978 Indian Tamil-language psychological thriller film co-written and directed by Bharathirajaa. The film starring Kamal Haasan and Sridevi, with Goundamani, Bhagyaraj and Vadivukkarasi in supporting roles. It revol ...

''), "Vaan Megangalay" ('' Pudhiya Varpugal''), "Malargale Nadha Swarangal" (''Kizhake Pogum Rayil''), "Malargalilay Aaraadhanai" (''Karumbu Vil''), "Kodai Kaala Kaatray" ('' Panneer Pushpangal''), "Poove Ilaya Poove" (''Kozhi Koovuthu''), "Thangachangili Minnum Painkili" ('' Thooral Ninnu Pochchu''), etc. must be some of the timeless favourites of Tamil film music lovers. Even under the baton of M. S. Viswanathan, Malaysia Vasudevan sang many illustrious songs. "Ezhudhugiral Oru Pudhukkavithai" (''Saranaalayam''), "Enniyirundhadhu Eadera" (''Andha 7 Naatkal'') and the super-hits from '' Billa'' are just a few examples. Sensuous songs like "Kanna Thorakkanum Saami", or "Nila Kaayudhu" and emotional songs like "Oru Thanga Rathathhil" ('' Dharma Yuddham''), "Allithhandha Bhoomi Annai Allava" (''Nandu''), "Adi Aadu Poongodiye" (''Kali''), "Vaa Vaa Vasanthamey" (''Puthu Kavithai''), "Pattuvanna Rosavam" (''Kannipparuvathile'') and "Ponmaana Thedi Naanum Poovodu" (''Enga Oor Rasathi'') all came easily to Vasudevan and succeeded in showing some other brilliant facets of the wonderful singer. His largely folksy tunes sung for

Shankar–Ganesh Shankar–Ganesh is an Indian music director duo who has worked on Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada movies for around 50 years. Career They started as assistants to Tamil music composers M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy in 1964 an ...

are also of inimitable class. In the nineties, he got to sing a few, but most of them sensuous hits, for A. R. Rahman, including "Then Kizhakku" ('' Kizhakku Cheemayile'') and "Monalisa Monalisa" ('' Mr. Romeo''). The famous song "Poo Pookum Osai" (''

Minsara Kanavu ''Minsara Kanavu'' () is a 1997 Indian Tamil-language musical romantic drama film that was co-written and directed by Rajiv Menon. The film stars Arvind Swamy, Prabhu Deva, and Kajol in her Tamil debut, and revolves around Priya (Kajol), a ...

'') featured Vasudevan's voice in the chorus part. He was the king of singing folk songs and songs with a village background, he was the voice behind several of Rajni Kanth's hit songs and he, Malayasia Vasudevan, sang a good number of hit duets with S Janaki. Ilaiyaraaja chose this singing pair whenever he had a folk song or a song which needed some special singing and they successfully made all his works big hits. Some of the best songs of Malaysia Vasudevan happened at the time when he was considered the voices of

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 ...

and Rajinikanth; songs like "Mudhal Mariyathai", "Pothuvaga En Manasu Thangam" (''Murattukalai'') and "Aasai Nooru Vagai" (''Adutha Varisu'') to name a few. Malaysia Vasudevan was like T. M. Soundararajan, who was content with the popularity achieved only in Tamil. He was of the notion that if he sang in other languages, he should have known well the nuances of other languages. Vasudevan worked with many music directors such as M. S. Viswanathan, Ilaiyaraaja,

, Deva, A. R. Rahman and Vidyasagar. After T. M. Soundararajan, he was called as the ghost voice for

. His first song was for the film ''Delhi to Madras''. He has sung over 8,000 songs in Tamil and over 4,000 songs in various other South Indian languages. He has also sung a few songs in Hindi. Malaysia Vasudevan has sung many songs for Rajinikanth. Some of his notable songs for Rajinikanth were "Singamondru Purapattadhe" ('' Arunachalam''), "Yejaman Kaladi Manneduthu" ('' Yejaman''), "Agaya Gangai", "Oru Thanga Rathathil" ('' Dharma Yuddham'') "Solli adippaenadi" (Padikkathavan), all songs in Adhisayap piravi and many others. He has also lent his voice for a few albums, the most notable among them is ''Disco Disco'' (1987), a collaboration with composer Dilip (A. R. Rahman) and playback singer K. S. Chithra. The album is noted for being the first album production of A. R. Rahman. Though it didn't become much popular, ''Disco Disco Vol 2'' was also released later.

Music Direction

Malaysia Vasudevan composed music for a few movies like "Uravugal" "Itho Varugiren" "Samanthi Poo" (1980), "Pakku Vethilai" (1981) "Ayiram Kaigal" "Aaraavathu Kurukku Theru" (1984), "Kolusu (1985), "Rajaavin Paarvai"(1988), etc.

Direction

He has directed a film called ''Nee Sirithal Deepavali'' (1991).

Acting career

Malaysia Vasudevan has also acted in nearly 85 films. Veteran Tamil director A. P. Nagarajan christened him "Malaysia Vasudevan". Some of his notable films include '' Oorkavalan'' (with Rajinikanth), ''Mudhal Vasantham'' (with Sathyaraj), ''Oomai Vizhigal'' (with

Vijayakanth Narayanan Vijayaraj Alagarswami (born 25 August 1952), better known by his stage name Vijayakanth, is an Indian politician and former actor who has worked predominantly in Tamil cinema. He was the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Leg ...

), ''Kathanayagan'' (with Pandiyarajan), '' Oru Kaidhiyin Diary'' (with Kamal Haasan), ''Jallikattu'', ''

Thiruda Thiruda ''Thiruda Thiruda'' () is a 1993 Indian Tamil-language black comedy caper film directed by Mani Ratnam written along with Ram Gopal Varma. The film stars Prashanth, Anand, Anu Aggarwal and Heera Rajagopal while S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Salim ...

'', '' Amaidhi Padai'', ''

Poove Unakkaga ''Poove Unakkaga'' () is a 1996 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Vikraman. The film stars Vijay and Sangita. Actor Murali makes a guest appearance in a song in the film. The film released on 18 February 1996. ...

'', '' Badri'',''

Punnagai Desam ''Punnagai Desam'' () is a 2002 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by K. Shajahan. The film was produced by R. B. Choudary under the production banner Super Good films. The film stars Tharun, Sneha, Kunal, Hamsavardhan, Dhamu and P ...

'' and ''Kokki''. Besides acting in films, he has acted in a good number of tele-serials.

Writer

Malaysia Vasudevan wrote a book of poems called ''"Ennam Thondriyathu Ezhutha Thoondiyathu"'' in the year 2010.

Last projects

Vasudevan's last song was "Happy" from the film '' Bale Pandiya'' (2010), in the music of Devan Ekambaram. His last film as an actor ''Ithanai Naalaai Engiruthaai'' is yet to be released. The last song he wrote was "Devathaiye" for the film ''Balam'' (2009), in the music of his son Yugendran Vasudevan Nair.

Personal life

Malaysia Vasudevan married Annaporani, also known as Usha Vasudevan on 26 January 1976. Malaysia Vasudevan has three children

Yugendran Yugendran (born Yugendran Vasudevan on 20 December 1976) is an Indian actor and singer who has sung hundreds of songs in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. He is also an occasional music director and host. Personal life Yugendran is the son of the ...

, Prashanthini and Pavithra. His son

has acted and sang in some films in Tamil and other languages. Malaysia Vasudevan's daughter Prashanthini too is a playback singer. She has sung songs like "Mundhinam" in the movie '' Vaaranam Aayiram'' and many more. Another Pavithra is married and resides in

Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...

. Malaysia Vasudevan has five grandchildren. Visashan Naarayan, Kishan Naarayan and Darshan Naarayan born to Yugendran, Saii Naarayan born to Pavithra and Rithvik son of Prashanthini.

Awards

He has been awarded

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 ...

by the Tamil Nadu Government. He is also a 2-time winner of the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback.

Death

A chronic

diabetic Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level ( hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased ...

and hypertension patient, Malaysia Vasudevan had a stroke in 2003, which slowed his mobility. On 10 February 2011, he was admitted for high fever. He developed gangrene in his big toe. He died from the gangrene on 20 February 2011 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 ...

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is a state in southern India. It is the tenth largest Indian state by area and the sixth largest by population. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu is the home of the Tamil people, whose Tamil language ...

Some of the notable songs

*"Alli Thandha Bhoomi" ('' Nandu'') *"Aagayam Bhoomi Rendum" ('' Saamandhippoo'') *"Shankara Shiva" (''Rajarishi'') *"Pothuvaga En Manasu" (Murattukkalai) *"Kodai Kaala Kaatre" ('' Panneer Pushpangal'') *"Attukkutti muttayittu" (''

'') *"Sevvnthi poomudicha" (''

'') *"Monalisa Monalisa" ('' Mr. Romeo'') *"Aasai Nooruvagai" ('' Adutha Varisu'') *"Oru Kootukiliyaga" ('' Padikkadavan (1985 film)'') *"Unna Partha Neram", "Singari Pyari","Annakiliye","Thaa Nanthana Gummi kotti", "Paatukku Paattu Edukkava"(''

Athisaya Piravi ''Athisaya Piravi'' () is a 1990 Indian Tamil-language fantasy comedy film directed by S. P. Muthuraman and written by Panchu Arunachalam. It is a remake of the Telugu film '' Yamudiki Mogudu'' (1988). The film stars Rajinikanth, Kanaka, and ...

'') *"Kovil mani oosai thannai" (''Kizakke Pogum Rail'') *"Ponmaana Thedi Naanum Poovodu" (''Enga Oor Raachathi'') *"Suham Suhame Eyei Thoda Thoda Thane" ('' Naan Potta Savaal'') *"Aaagaya gangai, Oru thanga radathil" ('' Dharma Yuddam'') *"Then Kizhakku" ('' Kizhakku Cheemayile'') *"Kaadu potta Kaadu" ('' Karuththamma'') *"Poo Pookkum Oosai" (''

'') *"Vetthalaiya Pottendi" ('' Billa (1980 film)'') *"Thangangale Thambigale" (''

Thillu Mullu ''Thillu Mullu'' () is a 1981 Indian Tamil-language comedy film directed by K. Balachander and written by Visu. A remake of the 1979 Hindi film '' Gol Maal'', it stars Rajinikanth, with Thengai Srinivasan, Nagesh, Poornam Viswanathan, Sowcar ...

'') *"Devathai Pol oru Pen Ingu Vandathu" along with

Mano (singer) Nagoor Babu, known by his stage name Mano, is an Indian playback singer, voice-over artist, actor, producer, television anchor and composer. He is a recipient of several awards such as the Nandi Awards from the Government of Andhra Pradesh an ...

(''

Gopura Vasalile ''Gopura Vasalile'' () is a 1991 Indian Tamil-language black comedy film directed by Priyadarshan, starring Karthik and Bhanupriya. It relies on various subplots from the Malayalam film '' Pavam Pavam Rajakumaran'' (1990) and the Hindi film '' ...

'') *"Aathu mettula oru paattu kekkuthu" (''Giramaththu athiyayam'') *"Aazhakkadali thediya muthu" ('' Sattam En Kaiyil'') *"Aanatha then katru thalttuthe" (''Manippoor Mamiyar'') *"Kaathal vaibohame kaanum nannalile" (''Suvar illatha sithirangal'') *"Koodalooru gundumalli, kootathula kuninji" (''Kumbakkarai Thangaiya'') *"Poove ilaya poove varamtharum" (''Kozhi Koovuthu'') *"Poongatru thirumbuma" (''

Mudhal Mariyathai ''Muthal Mariyathai'' (; ) is a 1985 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film produced, directed and co-written by Bharathiraja. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Radha, with Vadivukkarasi, newcomers Deepan and Ranjini, Janagaraj, Sathyaraj, ...

'') *"Vetti veru vaasham" (''

'') *"Mapillaikku Maaman Manasu" (''

Netrikkann ''Netrikkan'' () is a 1981 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by S. P. Muthuraman and produced by Kavithalayaa Productions. The film stars Rajinikanth in a double role as father and son with Saritha and Menaka, while Goundamani, Lakshm ...

'') *"Kaadhal Vandhuduchu aasaiyil odi vandaen" (''Kalyanaraman'') *"Katti vechuko intha anbu manasa" (''En Jeevan Paaduthu'') *"Vaa vaa vasanthame sugam tharum" (''Pudhu Kavidhai'') *"Alli thatha boomi annai allava" (''Nandu'') *"Ananda then sinthum pooncholayil" (''

Mann Vasanai ''Mann Vasanai'' () is a 1983 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by Bharathiraja. Starring debutants Pandiyan and Revathi, with Vinu Chakravarthy, Ganthimathi, and Y. Vijaya in supporting roles, the film was a blockbuster, a ...

'') *"Aasai Nooru Vagai, Vazhvil Nooru Suvai" (''Adutha Vaarisu'') *"Eh Rasathi" (''En Uyir Thozhan'') *"Malaiyoram Mayile" (''Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam'') *"Enna Sugaama" "Oru ooril oru Maharani" (''Garjanai'') *"Pulli Vacha Oru Ponnatha", "Poove Poove Ponnama", "Patukku Jodiya","Yaar Paadum Paadal" ('' Paattukku Naan Adimai'') *"Ponmaana Thedi" (''Enga Ooru Rasathi'') *"Kathal vaibhogame" (''Suvarilla Chithiram'') *"Naan Appodhu" (''Pagal Nilavu'') *"Thanga Changili" ('' Thooral Ninnu Pochchu'') *"Thaalaatta Naan" (''Thooral Ninnu pochu'') *"Mamavukku Kuduma Kuduma" (''

Punnagai Mannan ''Punnagai Mannan'' () is a 1986 Indian Tamil-language musical romantic drama film written and directed by K. Balachander. The film stars Kamal Haasan and Revathi, with Srividya, Rekha, Delhi Ganesh, Sudarshan and Sundar Krishna Urs in suppor ...

'') *"Per vechaalum" (''Micheal Madhana Kamarajan'') *"Singam Ondru Purappathade" ('' Arunachalam'') *"Yen Thaayin Meedhu Aanai" ('' Mr. Bharath'') *"Enna Ma kannu" along with S.P.Balasubramaniam ('' Mr. Bharath'') *"Maman Ponukku" along with S.P.Balasubramaniam (''

Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi ''Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi'' () is a 1987 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film, directed by Manivannan. The film stars Sathyaraj and Prabhu, along with Nadhiya. The film was remade in Telugu as ''Chinnodu Peddodu'' and in Kannada as '' ...

'') *"Yejaman Kaaladi Maneduthu, Netthiyila Pottu Vechom" ('' Yejaman'') *"Ooru Vittu Ooru Vandhu" along with Gangai Amaran (''

Karagattakaran ''Karakattakkaran'' () is a 1989 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy dance film written and directed by Gangai Amaran. The film stars Ramarajan and debutant Kanaka, while Santhana Bharathi, Chandrasekhar, Goundamani, Senthil, Shanmugasundara ...

'') *"Mariamma Mariamma" (''

'') *"Paattu Inge " ('' Poovizhi Vasalile'')

Filmography

;Actor This is a partial list of some of the films Malaysia Vasudevan has acted in. ;Director *'' Nee Sirithal Deepavali'' (1991) ;TV Serials * 2000 Micro Thodargal- Thedathe Tholainthu povai * 2006-2007 Lakshmi as Puniyakodi ;Composer *''Saamanthi poo'' *''Sonnathu nee thaana'' (2006) (suresh)

References

External links

*
Rakkamma.comTfpage.comTamilasia.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vasudevan, Malaysia 1944 births 2011 deaths Tamil playback singers Tamil singers Malaysian Hindus Malaysian people of Indian descent Malaysian people of Malayali descent Malaysian emigrants to India Musicians from Palakkad Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners 20th-century Indian musicians Tamil film score composers