Tamil film producer, script and screenplay writer and lyricist Panchu Arunachalam, who introduced music director Ilaiyaraaja in his film Annakili and wrote for successful films starring Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth died here on Tuesday. He was 76 and is survived by his wife, two daughters and two sons.
A native of Karaikudi, Arunachalam was the son of poet Kannadasan’s elder brother and worked as his assistant for many years.
“Kannadasan would dictate songs to him,” recalled veteran director S.P. Muthuraman, who had worked with Arunachalam in films such as Priya, Engeyo Ketta Kural, Bhuvana Oru Kelvikuri, Murattu Kaalai, Aduttha Vaarisu, Sakalakala Vallavan and Guru Sishyan .
Muthuraman said Arunachalam was the pillar of their unit and all his songs in their films became instant hits. “He is also adept at writing comedy dialogues and Guru Sishyan bears testimony to this,” he said. All his songs for the film Annakili continue to enthral generations of film music lovers and the number Pothuvaaga En Manasu Thangam in Murattu Kaalai became a theme song for Rajinikanth.
Ilaiyaraaja was known as Raja in the Pavalar troupe and Arunachalam changed his name as playback singer A.M. Raja was already scoring music for films. Even when Kannadasan was dominating the film world, Arunachalam proved his mettle by penning super hit songs, including Manmagale Marumagale Vaa Vaa in Sharada and Pon Ezhil Poothathu Puthu Vaanil in Kalangarai Vilakkam and Poopola Poopala in Naanum Oru Pen . He wrote dialogues for the Sivaji Ganesan-Jayalalithaa starrer, Avanthan Manithan .
“He was a multi-faceted personality and could judge the vital elements that are necessary for the success of a film. It is that capability that ensured his successful journey that began in the days of black and white movies,” said lyricist Vairamuthu, who recently watched Kabali along with Arunachalam at a special show arranged by Rajinikanth.
“When Rajinikanth organised the screening, he wanted me to invite Arunachalam and he readily agreed despite his poor health. We had a long chat during the interval,” said Vairmuthu. He said it was Arunachalam, by providing the lead role in the film Aarilirunthu Arupathu Varai, Engeyo Ketta Kural and Bhuvana Oru Kelvikuri to Rajinikanth that proved that the latter could effortlessly play serious roles.
The song, Kanmaniye Kaadhal Enbathu, in Aarilirunthu Arupathu Varai and Kaadhalin Deepam Ondru in the film Thambikku Entha Ooru and all songs in Annakili, Priya and Bhuvana Oru Kelvikuri are evergreen hits.
Recently, a documentary on Arunachalam, A creator with Midas touch, was made by writer-producer Dhananjayan.
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, in a statement, condoled Arunachalam’s death.
