S. A. Rajkumar (born 23 August 1964) is an Indian music composer and lyricist, known for his work primarily in Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada cinema.
Early life Rajkumar's father was a vocalist performing in stage shows conducted by popular music directors such as Ilayaraja, Gangai Amaren, and Deva. Rajkumar admired his father's musical career and developed an interest in music. It was his mother who encouraged his father to make him join music classes. Rajkumar received classical music training under the guidance of Subbaiah Bhagavathar for 3 years.
Career After completing his music training, Rajkumar started to organize musical shows on his own and was searching for film opportunities. Come 1987 and director duo Robert–Rajasekar gave him his first breakthrough by signing him as the music composer for their film Chinna Poove Mella Pesu. Since then, Rajkumar has composed music for over 100 Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada language films. His compositions for the films such as Pudhu Vasantham (1990), Shruthi (1990), Poove Unakkaga (1996), Surya Vamsam (1997), Aval Varuvala (1998), Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen (1998), Thullatha Manamum Thullum (1999), Raja (1999), Vaanathaippola (2000), Priyamaana Thozhi (2003) and Vasantam (2003) have all been blockbuster musical hits.
Awards 1990 – Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Tamil – Pudhu Vasantham 1990 – Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Kannada – Shruthi 1999 – Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Telugu – Raja 1997 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director – Suryavamsam
Discography
Tamil cinema Year Title Notes 1987 Chinna Poove Mella Pesu Veeran Veluthambi Thangachi 1988 Kunguma Kodu Makkal Aanaiyittal Poovum Puyalum Rayilukku Neramachu Manasukkul Mathappu Paravaigal Palavitham 1989 En Thangai Oru Ponnu Nenacha Pasakanal Movie Not Released 1990 Pudhu Vasantham Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Tamil Thangathin Thangam Puriyaadha Pudhir Remake of Tarka (1990) Pudhu Pudhu Ragangal Paadi Vaa Thendrale Movie Not Released 1991 Perum Pulli Aasai Kiliye Kobama Annan Kaattiya Vazhi Enga Ooru Sippai Nattai Thirudathey Archana IAS Idhaya Oonjal Manasara Vazhthungalen Sivaranjani Nenjamundu Nermaiundu Anbulla Thangachikku Vazhndhal Unnodudhan Movie Not Released 1992 Thaali Kattiya Raasa Palaivana Raagangal Ellaichami Mangala Nayagan Pudhu Varusham 1993 Mudhal Paadal Konjum Kili Varam Tharum Vadivelan 1994 Purushanai Kaikulla Poottukanum Pudhusa Pootha Roosa Chella Kiliye Mella Pesu Movie Not Released Vai Jalaam Movie Not Released 1995 Namma Ponnu Vazhanum Movie Not Released Puthu Ponnu Movie Not Released 1996 Poove Unakkaga 50th Film Krishna 1997 Pistha Suryavamsam Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director Nattupura Nayagan Putham Puthu Poove Movie Not Released 1998 Maru Malarchi Ponmanam Aval Varuvala Remake of Pelli (1997);six songs reused from said film. Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen one song "Thottabedda Kulir" is based on "Come Come" from Suswagatham Simmarasi Endrum Anandham Movie Not Released 1999 Suriya Paarvai Thullatha Manamum Thullum Reused one song from Suryavamsam (1998) Suyamvaram Malabar Police Nee Varuvai Ena Kannupada Poguthaiya Reused one song from Raja (1999) Thirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatesa Paattali 2000 Vaanathaippola Reused one song from Preminche Manasu (1999) Sudhandhiram Rajakali Amman James Pandu Kandha Kadamba Kathir Vela Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven Reused one song from Nuvvu Vasthavani (2000) Pennin Manathai Thottu Kuberan Simmasanam Maayi Reused one song from Sneham Kosam (1999) Budget Padmanabhan Palayathu Amman Priyamaanavale Remake of Pavitra Bandham (1996)One song reused from said film. Vanna Thamizh Pattu Ennavalle 2001 Nageswari Piriyadha Varam Vendum Remake of Niram (1999) Aanandham Krishna Krishna Viswanathan Ramamoorthy 2002 Punnagai Desam Shakalaka Baby Kamarasu "Paathi Nila" is based on "Ye Swapnalokala" from Suswagatham (1998) Raja Namma Veetu Kalyanam Padai Veetu Amman 2003 Vaseegara Remake of Nuvvu Naaku Nachav (2001);two songs reused from said film.One song reused from Daddy (2001). Kadhaludan Priyamana Thozhi Reused one song from Jodi (2001) Diwan Aalukkoru Aasai 2004 Manasthan Chatrapathy 2005 Kannadi Pookal Kannamma Plus Kootani 2006 Thodamale 2008 Valluvan Vasuki 2010 Pournami Nagam Remake of Punnami Naagu (2009);five songs reused from said film.2013 Chokkali Thirumathi Thamizh 2021 Vaa Pagandaya
Telugu cinema Year Title Notes1997 Subhakankshalu Remake of Poove Unakkaga (1996), three songs reused from said film.PelliTelugu debut as a solo composer1998 Suswagatham Remake of Love Today (1997); one song reused from Poove Unakkaga (1996). Suryavamsam Remake of Surya Vamsam (1997); five songs reused from said film. Raayudu Remake of Vallal (1997) Vaibhavam1999 Sneham Kosam Remake of Natpukkaga (1998) Manavudu Danavudu Manikyam Remake of Porkkaalam (1997) Raja Remake of Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen (1998); five songs reused from said film.Filmfare Best Music Director Award – Telugu Panchadara Chilaka Remake of Oru Thalai Ragam (1980);one song reused from Ponmanam (1998). Preminche Manasu Remake of Priyamudan (1998) Bobbili Vamsam Remake of Thalaimurai (1998)2000Kalisundam Raa Ravanna Nuvvu Vasthavani Remake of Thullatha Manamum Thullum (1999);five songs reused from said film. Maa Annayya Remake of Vaanathaippola (2000); six songs reused from said film. Pelli Sambandham Remake of Pooparika Varugirom (1999) Ninne Premistha Remake of Nee Varuvai Ena (1999)five songs reused from said filmone song reused from Maayi (2000)2001 Chinna Simharasi Remake of Maayi (2000);three songs reused from said film,two songs reused from Simmarasi (1998),one song reused from Priyamaanavale (2000). Eduruleni Manishi Kalisi Naduddam Naa Manasistha Raa Remake of Parthen Rasithen (2000)all songs reused from said film Maa Pelliki Randi Remake of Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga (1999) Akka Bavekkada Deevinchandi Subhakaryam Ninnu Choodalani Daddy "Gummadi" is based on "Saamanthi Poovukkum" from unreleased Tamil film Putham Pudhu Poovedubbed in Tamil as Dance Master2002Bharatasimha Reddy Nee Premakai Siva Rama Raju Remake of Samudhiram (2001) and Simmarasi (1998), one song reused from Samuthiramtwo songs reused from Simmarasione song from Surya Vamsam (1997) Police Sisters2003Vasantham Simultaneously shot with Priyamaana Thozhi (2003) songs reused from said film. Tiger Harischandra Prasad2004 Keelu Gurram one song reused from Priyamanavale Kushi Kushiga Remake of Chronic Bachelor (2003) Puttintiki Ra Chelli Cheppave Chirugali Remake of Unnai Ninaithu (2002);four songs reused from said film.Leela Mahal Center Remake of Amarkkalam (1997)one song reused from Chinna Poove Mella Pesu2005 Sankranthi Remake of Aanandham (2001);Three songs reused from said film,two songs reused from Punnagai Desam Naidu LLB 2006 Rajababu Remake of Balettan (2003) Andala Ramudu Remake of Sundara Purushan (1996) Astram Remake of Sarfarosh (1999)2007Veedu Mamoolodu Kadu Nava Vasantham Remake of Punnagai Desam (2002); three songs reused from said film. 2008 Gorintaku Remake of Anna Thangi (2005); three songs reused from said film. 2009 Punnami Naagu 2010 Maa Annayya Bangaram Mouna Raagam 2011 Jhalak 2013 Mr. Pellikoduku Remake of Tanu Weds Manu (2011)
Kannada cinema Year Title Notes 1990 Shruthi Remake of Tamil film Pudhu VasanthamOnly one song reused from said filmFilmfare Award for Best Music Director – Kannada 1991 Gowri Kalyana Remake of Tamil film Thooral Ninnu Pochchu 1992 Obbarigintha Obbaru 1997 Maduve Remake of Pelliall songs used from said film 2001 Jodi Remake of Darling Darling (2000)one song from this film reused in Priyamana Thozhi 2003 Chandra Chakori 2004 Ramakrishna Remake of Aan Paavam (1985);reused one song from Kannupada Poguthaiya (1999),reused one song from Nuvvu Vastavani (1999) Kanchana Ganga Srusti Reused one song from Kalisundam Raa and Kadhaludan Jyeshta Remake of Valliettan (2000)2005 Gowramma Remake of Nuvvu Naaku Nachav (2001);reused one song from Leela Mahal Center (2004) Love Story Remake of Maro Charitra (1978);reused one song from Ek Duuje Ke Liye.Dubbed in Tamil as Uyir UllavaraiSiri ChandanaVarshaOne song reused from Telugu film Suryavamsam2006 Sirivantha Thandege Thakka Maga Remake of Thevar Magan;three songs reused from said film,one song reused from Aanandham Sevanthi Sevanthi 2007 Thayiya Madilu Preethigaagi Remake of Aniyathipraavu (1997);reused one song from Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997),reused one song from Surya Vamsam (1997),reused one song from Piriyadha Varam Vendum (2001) 2010 Jokali 2011 Mallikarjuna Remake of Thavasi (2001),reused one song from Priyamaana Thozhi (2003) 2012 Gokula Krishna 2014 Paramashiva Remake of Samuthiram and Simmarasi;score only2015KatteRemake of Kedi Billa Killadi RangaOne song "Sanihake" loosely based on "Oru Thadavai" from Vaseegara
Malayalam cinema Year Title Notes2004Vesham Reused one song from Putham Puthu Poove and Chandra Chakori2014Villali Veeran
Television 2010 Kodi Mullai
Onscreen appearances Pudhu Varusham (1992) – guest role in song "Ovvorthanum Kaadhalikkiren" Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen (1998) – himself in song "Vaanambadiyin Vaazhvile" Endrendrum Kadhal (1999) – himself in song "Nadodi Nanba" Ennavalle (2000) – himself Priyamanavale (2000) – himself
Singer Year Movie name Song Notes1987 Chinna Poove Mella Pesu "Ye Pulla Karuppayi" also wrote lyrics for all songsVeeran VeluthambiVettaveli 1988 Makkal Aanaiyittal "Dei Dei Payale" Rayilukku NeramachuYela Malai KaatruManasukkul Mathappu "Vaa Kanmani"1990 Pudhu Vasantham "Idhu Mudhan Mudhala 1996Poove Unakkaga"Oh Pyari"1997Ee Hrudaya Ninagagi"Hallo Hallo Beauty"Kannada song; based on "Oh Pyari" [Composer: V. Manohar]Subhakankshalu"O Pori Panipuri"Telugu song; based on "Oh Pyari"Surya Vamsam"Thirunalu Thaerazhaga" 1998Suswagatham"Come Come"Telugu songMaru Malarchi "Kambanukku Kai Koduthu Ponmanam"Azhaga Azhaga"1999Kallazhagar"Vaararu Vaararu"Co-singer [Composer: Deva]Simmarasi"Thaaye Thirisooli"Kannupada Poguthaiya"Elundhal Malapola"Paattali"Siruvani Oothallo"2000Vanna Tamizh Pattu"Kaattu Kuyil Pola"Rajakali Amman"Santhana Malligaiyil"2003 Chandra Chakori"Bellama Bellage Daari Bidu" Kannada songDiwan"Paarthathilla" 2004Puttintiki Ra Chelli"Anuragham Chese"Telugu songAnbu Sagotharan"Aagaya Suriyane"2005Sankranti "Doli Doli"Telugu song2007 Sevanthi Sevanthi "Mayadanta Male Bantanna" Kannada song2008Valluvan Vasuki"Oothikittathu"2009Punnami Naagu "Ajare Ajare"Telugu songs2013Mr. Pellikoduku"O Meri Siri"2015 Katte "Devva Devva" Kannada song2021 Vaa Pagandaya "Saathi Saathi"
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