Sathyagu Yesudas (10 September 1931 – 20 November 2022) known by his stage name Aaroor Dass, was an Indian stage, film and television Screenwriter who was active in Tamil cinema during the latter part of the 20th century. Aaroor Dass has written the story and dialogues for over 1000 films, who dominate the Tamil film for more than 40 years. He wrote his first film for actor Sivaji Ganesan's Pasamalar (1961). He debuted as a director with the film Penn Endral Penn (1967).
Early life Dass was born on 10 September 1931 to Arockiya Mary and Santhyagu as Yesudas at Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam. He had three younger brothers and three younger sisters. Aaroor Dass attended Thiruvarur Jilla Board Higher Secondary School. Aaroor refers to Thiruvarur.
Career Dass started his career as an assistant to Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass in 1955 and assisted in writing the dialogues for the film called Naattiya Thara. He has said that he named his first child as Arokyamary and also gave a pet name, Thara Devi in remembrance of this film. He wrote his debut film as Vaazha Vaitha Deivam (1959) produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar. Then, he wrote next film for Sivaji Ganesan's Pasamalar (1961) and continued to write for the thespian in 28 films. When he wrote Pasamalar, Das was 28 years, Sivji Ganesan was 32 and Savitri was 24. He wrote for nearly the same number of M. G. Ramachandran too (including a few that were not released). Dass worked with many top class directors of yesteryears, like A. Bhimsingh, A. C. Tirulokchandar, M. A. Thirumugam and many others. He was associate director under Tirulokchandar and Dever films. He has written stage plays like Thirisoolam and Jenma Thandanai. In June 2022, Aaroor Dass received the Kalaignar Kalaithurai Vithagar Award from the government of Tamil Nadu.
Personal life and death Dass married Baby, the couple had four children; three daughters Thara, Aasha and Usha and a son Ravichandran. He lived in Nathamuni Street in T. Nagar in Chennai.
Dass died in Chennai on 20 November 2022, at the age of 91.
Filmography
As writer Year Movie Note 1954 Naattiya Thara 1957 Sathiyavan Savithri 1957 Nala Damayanthi Tamil dubbed version only 1958 Zimbo Dubbed version of Hindi film of same name 1959 Vaazha Vaitha Deivam 1960 Uthami Petra Rathinam 1961 Pasamalar 1961 Kongunattu Thangam 1961 Thaai Sollai Thattadhe 1962 Kudumba Thalaivan 1962 Paarthaal Pasi Theerum 1962 Padithal Mattum Podhuma 1962 Thayai Katha Thanayan 1963 Annai Illam 1963 Needhikkuppin Paasam 1963 Paar Magale Paar 1963 Parisu 1964 Thozhilali 1964 Puthiya Paravai 1964 Vettaikaaran 1965 Aasai Mugam 1965 Idhaya Kamalam 1965 Kaakum Karangal 1965 Kaattu Rani 1965 Thazhampoo 1966 Anbe Vaa 1966 Petralthan Pillaiya 1966 Thaali Bhagyam 1966 Thanipiravi 1967 Iru Malargal 1967 Thaikku Thalaimagan 1967 Thangai 1969 Akka Thangai 1969 Anbalippu dialogues 1969 Deiva Magan 1971 Praptham 1974 Panathukkaga 1976 Ore Thanthai dialogues 1976 Bhadrakali 1977 Avan Oru Sarithiram 1978 Vanakkatukuriya Kathaliye 1979 Naan Vazhavaippen 1979 Pattakathi Bhairavan 1983 Sumangali 1984 Niraparaadhi 1984 Osai 1984 Unnai Naan Santhithen 1984 Vidhi 1984 My Dear Kuttichathan Dubbed version of Malayalam film My Dear Kuttichathan 1985 Bandham 1985 Mangamma Sapatham 1985 Poo Ondru Puyalaanathu Dubbed version of Telugu film Pratighatana 1986 Marumagal 1986 Viduthalai 1987 Anbulla Appa 1987 Vairagyam 1987 Kudumbam Oru Koyil 1989Idhu Dhanda Police Dubbed version of Telugu film Ankusam 1989Mannikka VendugirenDubbed version of Telugu film Yamapaasam1990 Vyjayanthi IPS Dubbed version of Telugu film Karthavyam 1992Asokan Dubbed version of Malayalam film Yoddha1993Evana Irundha Enakenna Dubbed version of Telugu film Aagraham1993SuryaDubbed version of Telugu film Nippu Ravva 1994 Watchman Vadivelu 1994 Hero 1995The King Dubbed version of Malayalam film The King1996Kutty Sippaigaldubbed version of Telugu film Little Soldiers 2001 Pappa Dubbed version of Telugu film Devi Putrudu 2004 Anbu SagothiranDubbed version of Telugu film Puttintiki Raa Chelli 2014 Tenaliraman
As director Year Title Notes 1967 Penn Endral Penn
References