Meesai Murugesan (13 January 1930 – 8 November 2014) was a veteran actor and musician who appeared in Tamil films. He starred in more than 100 films, as well as having supporting roles in various films.
Music career He started his career by playing the "Kottankuchi" (coconut shell), alongside great musicians such as K. P. Sundarambal, M. K. T. Bhagavathar, T. M. Soundararajan and Seerkazhi Govindarajan. He was popular for creating shrill sound effects in Nenjam Marappathillai and the footfall of the horse in the "Rajavin Paarvai Raniyin Pakkam" song in MGR-Saroja Devi's Anbe Vaa. He played instruments for music directors including M. S. Viswanathan, Ilayaraja and Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan.
He was a carnatic artist and had learned to play more than 25 instruments. He also ran a one-man band called "Apoorva Thalavaithiyangal" and held several concerts across the world including Europe, Canada, the United States and Russia.
Film career His career spanned more than 100 films and he was famous for his roles in Kamal Haasan's Unnal Mudiyum Thambi, Sathyaraj's Amaidhi Padai, Mohan's Uyire Unakkaga, Pandiarajan's Aan Paavam, and many others. He earned the name "Meesai Murugesan" after he sported a thick moustache in his first film Sugamana Raagangal.
Awards He was conferred Kalaimamani by the Tamil Nadu State government for his contribution to the cinema.
Partial filmography YearFilmRoleNotes 1985 Sugamana Raagangal Aan Paavam Murugesan Janani Janani's father Kalyanam Oru Kaalkattu 1986 Kadaikan Paarvai Thazhuvatha Kaigal Aayiram Pookkal Malarattum Oomai Vizhigal Police OfficerTelugu Uyire Unakkaga Murugesan Mudaliar 1987 Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi Meendum Mahaan Mangai Oru Gangai Paasam Oru Vesham 1988 Unnal Mudiyum Thambi Anjayya Kalyana Paravaigal Sigappu Thali Paimarakappal Thanga Kalasam 1989 Athaimadi Methaiadi Radha Kadhal Varadha Sakalakala Sammandhi Body Building Trainer 1990 Pudhu Padagan Kunjithapatham Salem Vishnu Vishnu's father Vaazhkai Chakkaram Sila SasanamTelugu Vetrimalai 1991 Ennarukil Nee Irunthal Vaidyar 1993 Senthoorapandi Meena's suitor's father 1994 Amaidhi Padai Sevvanthi Killadi Mappillai 1995 Chellakannu Maaman Magal Padikira Vayasula Puthiya Aatchi 1996 Poove Unakkaga Velangiri 1997 Kadavul Pudhalvan Thedinen Vanthathu 1998 Kannathal 2002 Gemini 2008 Pirivom Santhippom Natesan
Death He died due to ill health and blood clots in his brain on 8 November 2014. He was 84 years of age and was survived by his wife, a son and two daughters.
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