Aaroor Dass

Indian screenwriter (1931–2022)

Aaroor Dass
Born
Yesudas

(1931-09-10)10 September 1931
Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Madras Province, British Raj
Died20 November 2022(2022-11-20) (aged 91)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Other namesAarooraan
OccupationScreenwriter
SpouseBaby
ChildrenThara, Usha, Asha (daughter)
Ravichandran (Son)
Parent(s)Santhyagu (Father)
Arockiya Mary (Mother)
AwardsKalaimamani Awards
Kavingnar Vaali Award (2016)[1]
Makkal Kavingnar Award

S. 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.[2] Aaroor Dass has written the story and dialogues for over 1000 films, who dominate the Tamil film for more than 40 years.[3] He wrote his first film for actor Sivaji Ganesan's Pasamalar (1961).[4][5] He debuted as a director with the film Penn Endral Penn (1967).

Early life

Dass was born on 10 September 1931 to Sathyagu and Arockiya Mary 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.[6]

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.[7][6] He has said that he named his first child as Arokyamary and also gave a pet name, Thara Devi in remembrance of this film.[8][9] 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.[citation needed] In June 2022, Aaroor Dass received the Kalaignar Kalaithurai Vithagar Award from the government of Tamil Nadu.[10]

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.[3]

Dass died in Chennai on 20 November 2022, at the age of 91.[11]

Filmography

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (May 2019)

As writer

Year Movie Note Ref(s)
1954 Naattiya Thara
1957 Sathiyavan Savithri
1958 Zimbo Dubbed version of Hindi film of same name
1959 Vaazha Vaitha Deivam Debut Film [12]
1959 Nala Damayanthi
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 [4]
1969 Anbalippu
1969 Deiva Magan
1971 Praptham
1974 Panathukkaga
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
1989 Idhu Dhanda Police Dubbed version of Telugu film Ankusam
1989 Mannikka Vendugiren Dubbed version of Telugu film Yamapaasam
1990 Vyjayanthi IPS Dubbed version of Telugu film Karthavyam
1992 Asokan Dubbed version of Malayalam film Yoddha
1993 Evana Irundha Enakenna Dubbed version of Telugu film Aagraham
1993 Surya Dubbed version of Telugu film Nippu Ravva
1994 Watchman Vadivelu
1994 Hero
1995 The King Dubbed version of Malayalam film The King
1996 Kutty Sippaigal dubbed version of telugu film Little Soldiers
2001 Pappa Dubbed version of Telugu film Devi Putrudu
2004 Anbu Sagothiran Dubbed version of Telugu film Puttintiki Raa Chelli
2014 Tenaliraman

As director

Year Movie Actor Note Ref(s)
1967 Penn Endral Penn Gemini Ganesan

References

  1. ^ "தொடுகறி விக்ரமாதித்யன், ஆரூர் தாஸ் இருவருக்கும் வாலி விருது". The Hindu. 22 October 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2019.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "மாற்றியமைத்த விதி ஆரூர் தாஸ்". 11 August 2014. Archived from the original on 13 August 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  3. ^ a b "கலை வித்தகர் ஆரூர் தாஸ் - என் சிந்தைக்கினிய சினிமா தேவதை". 6 March 2017. Archived from the original on 18 May 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  4. ^ a b Film News, Anandan (2004). Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru (Tamil Film History and Its Achievements). Sivagamai Publications. p. 738.
  5. ^ Kumar, S. r Ashok (17 August 2013). "Platinum celebration". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2020 – via www.thehindu.com.
  6. ^ a b "'Star' Wordsmith - the Hindu". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 20 November 2014.
  7. ^ "Kavinjar Thanjai Ramaiyah Das – Tamil Cinema Poets". Archived from the original on 6 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  8. ^ "எம்.ஜி.ஆருடன் முதல் சந்திப்பு- ஆரூர் தாஸ்" [First meeting with M. G. R. - Aroor Das]. Archived from the original on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  9. ^ Peter Cowie, Derek Elley (1977). World Filmography: 1967. Fairleigh Dickinson Univ Press. ISBN 9780498015656. Archived from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  10. ^ "Aaroor Das Receives Tamil Nadu Govt's Kalaignar Kalaithurai Vithagar Award". News18. 3 June 2022. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Veteran screenwriter Aaroor Dass no more". The Hindu. 20 November 2022. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  12. ^ Randor Guy (11 March 2013). "Blast from the Past — Vaazhavaitha Deivam 1959". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2019.