Malaysia Vasudevan

Malaysia Vasudevan
Born	15 June 1944(1944-06-15) Malaysia
Died	20 February 2011(2011-02-20) (aged 66) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Other names	Sathu Arumugam Nair
Occupation	Playback singer, actor
Years active	1974–2011
Spouse	Usha Vasudevan
Children	Yugendran, Prashanthini, Pavithra

Vasudevan Nair (15 June 1944 – 20 February 2011),^[1] known as Malaysia Vasudevan was a Tamil playback singer and actor in the Tamil film industry. He was known for singing songs for Indian actor Rajnikanth and many more.

Early life

Malaysia Vasudevan's parents were from Palakkad. In the early years of the last century Chattu Nair of Ottappalam, Ammalu of Polpulli along with their respective families migrated to Malaysia in search of livelihood. They became labourers in the rubber estates of Klang Valley. After a few years Chattu Nair and Ammalu became husband and wife in an arranged marriage. Vasudevan was born on June 15, 1944 as their eighth child. Even though he was a Malayalee, his surroundings in Malaysia were predominantly Tamil and his life was lived in Tamil, at school and at home.

Chattu Nair was musically inclined and all his children grew 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. He first started learning music from his father and later on, his brother taught him. Vasudevan started singing on stage when he was eight. And yes he was interested in acting too.

When Vasudevan grew up he got attached to Tamil drama troupes in Malaysia as an actor and singer. The producers of one of his plays Ratha Paei wanted to make it as 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 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. It was a comedy song "Paalu Vikkira Padma Un Paalu Romba Suthhama?" for the music director V. Kumar. This chance was possible because of his friendship with the film's producer Pollachi Rathnam. After that he joined 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. The first big break came when Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan 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 made to sing in Annakili and after "Aattukutti Muttai Ittu" from 16 Vayathinile happened, Malaysia Vasudevan never looked back. Ilaiyaraaja backed him until he became a star singer.

Malaysia Vasudevan has sung close to 8000 songs in his three decades of active career out of which most are for Ilaiyaraaja. Illayaraja made Malaysia Vasudevan sing songs of all kinds and genre. Every song Malaysia Vasudevan rendered with utmost sincerity and surprised everyone with the range he had.

Soft romantic songs like "Indha Minminikku" (Sigappu Rojakkal), "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 had sung many illustrious songs. "Ezhudhugiral Oru Pudhukkavithai" (Saranaalayam), "Enniyirundhadhu Eadera" (Andha 7 Naatkal) and the super duper hits from Billa are just a few rare gems.

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), "Ponmaana Thedi Naanum Poovodu" (Enga Oor Rasathi) all came easy to Vasudevan and succeeded in showing some other brilliant facets of the wonderful singer. His largely folksy tunes sung for Shankar Ganesh 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).

Some of the best songs of Malaysia Vasudevan happened at the time when he was considered the voices of Sivaji Ganesan and Rajinikanth; songs like "Mudhal Mariyathai", "Pothuvaga En Manasu Thangam" (Murattukalai) and "Aasai Nooru Vagai" (Adutha Varisu) to name a few.

Malaysia Vasudevan is like T. M. Soundararajan who was content with the popularity achieved only in Tamil. He was of the notion that to sing in other languages he should have known well the nuances of other languages. At a time when not knowing the language is the first preferred criterion to sing in Tamil, Malaysia Vasudevan’s resolve may sound funny to many today.

Vasudevan worked with many music directors such as M. S. Viswanathan, Ilaiyaraaja, Shankar Ganesh, Deva, A. R. Rahman, and Vidyasagar. After T. M. Soundararajan, he was called as ghost voice for Sivaji Ganesan. His first song was for the film Delhi to Madras. He has sang over 8,000 in Tamil and over 4,000 songs in various other South Indian languages. He has also sung few songs in Hindi.

Malaysia Vasudevan has sung a lot of songs for Rajnikanth. Some of his notable songs for Rajnikanth were "Ennama Kannu Sowkiyama" (Mr. Bharath), "Singamondru Purapattadhe" (Arunachalam), "Yejaman Kaladi Manneduthu" (Yejaman), "Agaya Gangai", "Oru Thanga Rathathil" (Dharma Yuddham) and many others.

He has also lended 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.^[2] Though it didn't become much popular, Disco Disco Vol 2 was also released later.

Acting career

Malaysia Vasudevan has also acted in nearly 85 films. Veteran Tamil director A. P. Nagarajan christened him as "Malaysia Vasudevan". Some of his notable films include Mudhal Vasantham (with Sathyaraj), Oomai Vizhigal (with Vijayakanth), Kathanayagan (with Pandiyarajan), Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (with Kamal Hassan), Jallikattu, Thiruda Thiruda, Amaidhi Padai, Poove Unakkaga, Punnagai Desam, 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, Prashanthini and Pavithra. His son Yugendran Vasudevan Nair has acted in many films in Tamil and other languages. He is also a playback singer in Tamil. His daughter Prashanthini is a playback singer. She has sung songs like "Mundhinam" in the movie Vaaranam Aayiram and many more. Pavithra is married and resides in Malaysia. Malaysia Vasudevan has four grand children. Visashan Naarayan and Kishan Naarayan born to Yugendran, Sai Narayan born to Pavithra and Rithvik son of Prashanthini.

Awards

He has been awarded Kalaimamani by the Tamil Nadu Government. He is also a winner of Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback.

Death

Malaysia Vasudevan died on 20 February 2011 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.^[3][4][5][6]

Notable songs

• "Shankara Shiva" (Rajarishi)
• "Kodai Kaala Kaatre" (Panneer Pushpangal)
• "Attukkutti muttayittu" (16 Vayathinile)
• "Sevvnthi poomudicha" (16 Vayathinile)
• "Monalisa Monalisa" (Mr. Romeo)
• "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" (Minsara Kanavu)
• "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)
• "Vetti veru vaasham" (Mudhal Mariyathai)
• "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)
• "Aasai Nooru Vagai, Vazhvil Nooru Suvai" (Adutha Vaarisu)
• "Eh Rasathi" (En Uyir Thozhan)
• "Malaiyoram Mayile" (Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam)
• "Enna Sugaama" (Garjanai)
• "Ponmaana Thedi" (Enga Ooru Rasathi)
• "Kathal vaibhogame" (Suvarilla Chithiram)
• "Naan Appodhu" (Pagal Nilavu)
• "Thanga Changili" (Thooral Ninnu Pochchu)
• "Thaalaatta Naan" (Thooral Ninnu pochu)

Filmography

This is a partial list of some of the films Malaysia Vasudevan has acted in.^[7]

Year	Title	Language	Notes
2007	Adavadi	Tamil
1994	Amaidhi Padai	Tamil
1989	Annakili Sonna Kathai	Tamil
1977	Avar Enakke Sontham	Tamil
1984	Ayiram Kaigal	Tamil
2001	Badri	Tamil
1996	Chumma Irunga Machan Chumma Irunga Machan	Tamil
1989	Dharma Devan	Tamil
1998	Dhinamdhorum	Tamil
1993	Donga Donga	Telugu
1990	Engal Sami Ayyappan	Tamil
1983	Ethanai Konam Ethanai Parvai	Tamil
1996	Gopala Gopala	Tamil
1982	Idho Varukiren Idho Varukiren	Tamil
1995	Ilakkiya Solai - Rajarajanin Tamil Pattru	Tamil
1987	Ithanai Nalai Engirunthai	Tamil
1987	Jalli Kattu	Tamil
1994	Jallikattu Kaalai	Tamil
1987	Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu	Tamil
1988	Kadhanayagan	Tamil
2003	Kaiyodu Kai	Tamil
2000	Kandukondain Kandukondain	Tamil
1993	Karuppu Vellai	Tamil
2006	Kokki	Tamil
1985	Kolusu	Tamil
1986	Mudhal Vasantham	Tamil
1990	Neesirithal Deepavali	Tamil
1978	Nenjil Aadum Poo Ondru	Tamil
2003	Nilavil Kalangamillai	Tamil
2007	Ninaithu Ninaithu Parthen	Tamil
1982	Nizhal Suduvathillai	Tamil
1987	Oor Kaavalan	Tamil
1985	Oru Kaidhiyin Diary	Tamil
1981	Pakkuvethilai	Tamil
1994	Pandiyanin Rajyathil	Tamil
1987	Parisam Pottachu	Tamil
1987	Per Sollum Pillai	Tamil
2007	Piragu	Tamil
1988	Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran	Tamil
1996	Poove Unakkaga	Tamil
2002	Punnagai Desam	Tamil
1988	Raasave Unnai Nambi	Tamil
1980	Samanthi Poo	Tamil
1988	Thambi Thanga Kambi	Tamil
Unknown	Thamizhagam	Tamil
1987	Theertha Karayinile	Tamil
1989	Thendral Sudum	Tamil
1988	Therkathi Kallan	Tamil
1993	Thiruda Thiruda	Tamil
1986	Unnidathil Naan	Tamil
1979	Velli Ratham	Tamil

References

1. ^ http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/8255250-veteran-singer-m-vasudevan-nair-dies-at-67
2. ^ "Rahman pays tribute to Malaysia Vasudevan". Thaindian. 2011-02-21. http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entertainment/rahman-pays-tribute-to-malaysia-vasudevan_100505491.html. Retrieved 2011-02-21. 
3. ^ "Malaysia Vasudevan passes away". The Hindu. 2011-02-20. http://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/article1474543.ece. Retrieved 2011-02-20. 
4. ^ "Noted singer Malaysia Vasudevan passes away". Mathrubhumi. 2011-02-20. http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=105022. Retrieved 2011-02-20. 
5. ^ http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/feb-11-03/malaysia-vasudevan-21-02-11.html
6. ^ http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/64130.html
7. ^ http://www.jointscene.com/kollywood-actors/malaysia_vasudevan/filmography.html

External links

• http://www.hinduonnet.com/2006/08/10/stories/2006081019190200.htm
• http://www.rakkamma.com/filmsongsbycat.phtml?male=1&singerid=8
• http://www.tfmpage.com/my/singer/malaysia_vasu.txt
• http://tamilasia.com/music-albums/best-of-malaysia-vasudevan-vol-1/

Persondata
Name	Vasudevan, Malaysia
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1944-Jun-15
Place of birth	Malaysia
Date of death	2011-Feb-20
Place of death	Chennai, Tamilnadu.