Shankar–Ganesh

Shankar–Ganesh
Photo of Shankar
Photo of Shankar
Background information
OriginChinthamani, Tenkasi(Dt) Chennai, India, Near Magesh House SK Traders Manager
GenresFilm score
Occupation(s)Film composers,
Music directors,
singers
InstrumentKeyboard
Years active1967–present
MembersGanesh

Shankar–Ganesh is an Indian music director duo who has worked on Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu movies for around 50 years.[1] They also directed one movie Jagathalaprathapan in 1990 [2]

Personal life

[edit]

Shankar was the younger brother of music director C. R. Subbaraman while Ganesh was the son-in-law of G. N. Velumani who produced films like Bhaagapirivinai and Paalum Pazhamum.[3]

Career

[edit]
Ganesh (left), in May 2018

They started as assistants to Tamil music composers M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy in 1964 and later the duo assisted M.S.Viswanathan alone from 1965 till 1967. When Shankar Ganesh were composing for a stage play titled "Paadi Parandha Kuyil", Kannadhasan started his own film titled "Nagarathil Thirudargal" in which he introduced Shankar Ganesh as music directors.[4] However that film was stopped, so Kannadhasan took them to Chinnappa Devar and requested him to give them a chance thus making their debut with Magaraasi.[3][5] After Kannadhasan's death, Shankar Ganesh had their titles changed to " Kavinger vazhangiya thevarin" Shankar Ganesh.

Kaveri Thanda Kalaiselvi was a Natya Nadagam (Dance Drama) wherein Jayalalitha was main lead and rehearsals used to happen at her house with all artistes and musicians coming to her house and doing practice. Shankaraman, musician duo Shankar and Ganesh used to come to play music. Sandhya used to make food and give all artistes breakfast and lunch. This went on for 28 days before the first show happened in 1965. After Jayalalitha became a huge star she recommended Devar Films to give musician duo Shankar Ganesh their debut film as a music director in the film Maharasi starring Ravinchandran with Jayalalitha.

Their first independent release was Magaraasi in 1967. Aattukara Alamelu was a turning point in their career.[6] Musician duo Shankar Ganesh composed music for 2 films of Jayalalitha – Maharasi in 1967 produced by Devar Films and Vandhale Maharasi in 1973 directed by K.S.Gopalakrishnan. Their best known composition were in Naan Yen Pirenden and Idhaya Veenai.

Bomb blast

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On 17 November 1986, Ganesh received an anonymous parcel by post. It contained a tape recorder with a note from the sender saying that the parcel contained a cassette with some ‘new’ music and if Ganesh liked it, he should give the sender a "break" into films. As Ganesh pressed the play button, the tape recorder exploded in his face, injuring his hands and eyes. Plastic surgery restored his hands and allowed him to play the keyboard, but he lost his vision in his right eye and had blurred vision in the left. On 1 June 2014, his vision was restored by a "glued intra ocular lens" technique.[7][8]

He was also performing on the stage 50 meters away at the Congress rally in Sriperumbudur on 21 May 1991, when a human bomb killed Rajiv Gandhi.[7]

Personal life

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Shankar from the duo died prematurely, while Ganesh continued take the band forward with the name Shankar–Ganesh, and has often been credited simply as Shankar Ganesh himself.[9] Shankar's son Balasubramaniam Shanker made his debut as a music composer through Chinni Jayanth's romantic drama film, Unakkaga Mattum (2000). Ganesh's son Shreekumar, became an actor, and later married actress Shamitha, who starred in Pandavar Bhoomi (2001).[10]

Filmography

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As a director

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Year Title Notes Ref.
1990 Jagathalaprathapan

Discography

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Their works include music for the following movies:

Tamil films

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Year Film Notes
1967 Magaraasi Debut Film
Naan Yaar Theriyuma
1968 Siritha Mugam
1969 Akka Thangai
1970 Maanavan
Kalam Vellum
Kannan Varuvan
1971 Deivam Pesuma
Kettikaran
Then Kinnam
1972 Ganga
Thaikku Oru Pillai
Naan Yen Pirandhen
Kannamma
Savalukku Savaal
Varaverpu
Puguntha Veedu
Idhaya Veenai
Ponmagal Vandhal
1973 Manjal Kungumam
Vandhaale Magaraasi
Amman Arul
Kasi Yathirai
Dheiva Vamsam
Iraivan Irukkindran 25th Film
Komatha En Kulamatha
Veettukku Vandha Marumagal
Vakkuruthi
Nathaiyil Muthu
1974 Kai Niraya Kaasu
Vellikizhamai Viratham
Doctoramma
Ore Satchi
Pathu Madha Bandham
Sorgathil Thirumanam
Devi Sri Karumari Amman
Pandhattam
Pudhiya Manidhan
1975 Anbu Roja
Enga Pattan Sothu
Cinema Paithiyam
Pinju Manam
Panam Pathum Seyum
Thangathile Vairam
Pattikkaattu Raja
Oru Kudumbathin Kadhai
1977 Aattukara Alamelu
1978 Karunai Ullam 50th Film
Ullathil Kuzhanthaiyadi
Chinna Chinna Veedu Katti
Thaai Meethu Sathiyam
Palabishegam
Uravugal Endrum Vazhga
1979 Inikkum Ilamai
Thaayillamal Naan Illai
Neeya?
Ennadi Meenakshi
Kanni Paruvathile
Pasi
Othayadi Paathayilae (released in 1980)
1980 Kannil Theriyum Kathaikal composed one song "Naan Unna Nenachen"
Dhinamthorum Deepavali
Vandichakkaram
Kumari Pennin Ullathile 75th Film
Natchathiram
Nijangal Nilaikkindrana
Ponnagaram
Maria My Darling
1981 Veli Thaandiya Vellaadu
Anjatha Nenjangal
Aani Ver
Jadhikkoru Needhi
Chinna Mul Periya Mul
Kanneer Pookkal
Needhi Pizhaithathu
Sattam Oru Iruttarai
Palaivana Solai
Sivappu Malli
1982 Darling, Darling, Darling
Pakkathu Veetu Roja
Nenjile Thunivirunthal
Amma
Nenjangal
Neram Vandhachu 100th Film
Mamiyara Marumagala
Ilanjodigal
Adhisayappiravigal
Auto Raja
Ayiram Muthangal
Kalyana Kalam
Kanalukku Karaiyethu
Krodham
Nenjangal
Oorum Uravum
Moondru Mugam
Pattanathu Rajakkal
Poi Satchi
Theerpugal Thiruththapadalam
Thooku Medai
Thunai
Ranga
1983 Alai Payum Nenjangal
En Aasai Unnoduthan
Anal Kaatru 125th Film
Thai Veedu
Dhooram Adhighamillai
Nenjamellam Neeye
1984 Vaanga Mappillai Vaanga Film unreleased
Ninaivugal
Nandri
Niraparaadhi
Osai
Madras Vathiyar
Vai Pandal
Vetri
Pournami Alaigal
1985 Naagam
Chavi
Avan
Santhosha Kanavukal
Anthasthu
Bandham
Poi Mugangal
Chain Jayapal
Chidambara Rahasiyam
Engirunthalum Vazhga 150th Film
Ilamai
Kutravaaligal
Needhiyin Nizhal
Uthami
Veli
Mangamma Sabatham
1986 Aayiram Kannudayaal
Anandha Kanneer
Piranthaen Valarnthen
Kulirkaala Megangal
Paadum Vaanampadi
Panneer Nadhigal 175th Film
Mounam Kalaikirathu
Kaalam
Samsaram Adhu Minsaram
1987 Anbulla Appa
Anjatha Singam
Enga Chinna Rasa
Raja Mariyadhai
Oorkavalan
Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi
Veerapandiyan
1988 Aalay Pathu Malai Mathu
Mappillai Sir
Makkal Aanaiyittal
Sahadevan Mahadevan
Anjatha Singam
Veedu Manaivi Makkal
Vacha Kuri Thappathu
Sivapputhaali
1989 En Rathathin Rathame
Manidhan Marivittan
Sattathin Thirappu Vizhaa
Sakalakala Sammandhi
Nyaya Tharasu
Manandhal Mahadevan
Thangamana Purushan 200th Film
Thangamani Ramamani
1990 Aarathi Edungadi
Amma Pillai
Sathan Sollai Thattathe
Durga
Sakthi Parasakthi
Aavathellam Pennale
Manaivi Oru Manickam
Sandhana Kaatru
Vedikkai En Vadikkai
Idhaya Thamarai
Varavu Nalla Uravu
Nalla Kaalam Porandaachu
Aadi Velli
Pattikaattaan 225th Film
Vaazhkai Chakkaram
Vaaliba Vilaiyattu
Pengal Veettin Kangal
Jagathalaprathapan also director
Pudhusa Oru Kalyanam Movie Not Released
1991 Nallathai Naadu Kekum
Sendhoora Devi
Vaakku Moolam
Eeswari
Aadi Viratham
Thai Poosam
Ayul Kaithi
1992 Purushan Enakku Arasan
Moondram Padi
Naane Varuven
Urimai Oonjaladugiradhu
Deiva Kuzhandhai
Chinna Poovai Killathey
Devar Veettu Ponnu
Sivasankari 250th Film
Madha Komadha
Harihara Puthran
Purushan Enakku Arasan
1993 Paarambariyam
Sivarathri
Karpagam Vanthachu
1994 Vaanga Partner Vaanga
1995 Mudhal Udhayam
2006 Mazhaithuli Mazhaithuli [11]
2006 Theenda Theenda [12]
2022 Uzhaikkum Kaigal

Malayalam films

[edit]
Year Film Notes
1974 Ayalathe Sundari
Chakravakam
1976 Chirikkudukka
Kamadhenu
1977 Tholkan Enikku Manassilla
1979 Pennorumbettaal
Prabhu
Vijayam Nammude Senani
1980 Anthappuram
Chandra Bimbam
Ival Eevazhi Ithu Vare
Love in Singapore
1981 Saahasam
Sankharsham
Sphodanam
1982 Aarambham
Guha
Kaalam
Kazhumaram
Maattuvin Chattangale
Paanjajanyam
1983 Angam
Bhookambam
Yudham
1984 Thirakal
1985 Aadhiyugam
Pournami Raavil 3D
1988 Karate Girls
1989 Mrugaya
Chakkikotha Chankaran

Kannada films

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Year Film Notes
1980 Maria My Darling
Rahasya Ratri
1982 Khadeema Kallaru
1983 Chakravyuha
Sididedda Sahodara
1984 Naane Raja
Pralayanthaka
1985 Hosa Itihaasa
Mareyada Manikya
Naanu Nanna Hendthi
Savira Sullu
Swabhimana
Karinaga
1986 Na Ninna Preetisuve
Asambhava
Kadinalli Jathre
Anand
1988 Samyuktha Background score only
Prajaprabhutva
1989 Ade Raaga Ade Haadu
1993 Vasantha Poornima
Sambhavi

Telugu films

[edit]
Year Film Notes
1980 Love in Singapore
1987 Veera Pratap [13]
Aadade Aadharam
1989 Ajatha Satruvu


Onscreen appearances

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References

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  1. ^ "Shankar Ganesh Tamil songs. Shankar Ganesh music videos, interviews, non-stop channel". Raaga. Archived from the original on 14 February 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  2. ^ https://banumass.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Jagathalaprathapan-Tamil-LP-Vinyl-Record-By-Shankar-Ganesh-1.jpg
  3. ^ a b சுந்தரம், கே. (17 November 1974). "சண்டையில் முழங்கிய வீணைகள்". Vikatan (in Tamil). pp. 157–160.
  4. ^ "வாலிக்கு வாட்ச் கொடுத்த (சங்கர்) கணேஷ்!". Kungumam (in Tamil). 28 July 2014. Archived from the original on 9 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  5. ^ Narayanan, Sujatha (28 July 2019). "Thamizh Talkies: Melodies that matter". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Today, many are here for quick money – The Hindu". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  7. ^ a b "Surgeon restores what bomb took 27 years ago". The Telegraph. 2 June 2014. Archived from the original on 5 June 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  8. ^ "After 28 years, surgeons restore musician's sight". The Times of India. 1 June 2014. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  9. ^ "rediff.com, Movies: Vijay meets his son on the Net!". m.rediff.com. Archived from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  10. ^ "Famous music director's son and actress to wed - Behindwoods.com - Tamil Movie News - Shree Shankar Ganesh Shamitha". www.behindwoods.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  11. ^ "Mazhaithuli Mazhaithuli". 23 December 2006. Archived from the original on 16 June 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  12. ^ "Theenda Theenda". April 2006. Archived from the original on 16 June 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  13. ^ "Veera Pratap (1987)". Indiancine.ma. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
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Bibliography

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  • ஆனந்த விகடன் பொக்கிஷம் (in Tamil). Vikatan Publications. 2011. pp. 157–160.