Alangudi Somu


Alangudi Somu was an Indian Tamil film 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 town that come under the Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency and located in Pudukkottai 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 and L. R. Eswari.
Many of his songs were written in praise of Hindu Gods like Kanda Un Vasalile, Avani Ellaam Pukazh Manakkum Amman Arul, Arulvaaye Nee Arulvaaye etc.
He wrote the song Iranthavanai Sumanthavanum Iranthittaan which is the only song sung by actor S. A. Ashokan in the film Iravum Pagalum. 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 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, portrayed in the film by Sivaji Ganesan was an all-time hit. This song was remixed by A. R. Rahman in Azhagiya Tamil Magan. Likewise, his song Aadaludan Paadalai from the film Kudiyirundha Koyil was remixed by Amresh Ganesh in Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva.
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 under the banner Alangudi Movies and the second film Varaverpu 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, that is under the Government of Tamil Nadu, with the title Kalaimamani for the year 1973-74.

Filmography

;1960s
The list was compiled from Thiraikalanjiyam Part-1 and Thiraikalanjiyam Part-2.
  1. Yanai Paagan
  2. Kongunattu Thangam
  3. Kaanchi Thalaivan
  4. Kalai Arasi
  5. Koduthu Vaithaval
  6. Dheiva Thaai
  7. Poompuhar
  8. Thozhilali
  9. Enga Veettu Pillai
  10. Iravum Pagalum
  11. Karthigai Deepam)
  12. Naanal
  13. Neerkumizhi
  14. Oru Viral
  15. Thazhampoo
  16. Madras to Pondicherry
  17. Naan Aanaiyittal
  18. Sadhu Mirandal
  19. Selvam
  20. Arasa Kattalai
  21. Bhakta Prahlada
  22. Kaavalkaaran
  23. Bommalattam
  24. Kanavan
  25. Kannan En Kadhalan
  26. Kudiyirundha Koyil
  27. Adimaippenn
;1970s
  1. Penn Deivam
  2. Sorgam
  3. Kumari Kottam
  4. Ponvandu
  5. Thirumalai Deivam
  6. 16 Vayathinile
  7. Gnana Kuzhandhai