Where is the famous Shankar Ganesh

[S.Balaji]

Dear friends,

There was a famous duo in the 70s called Shankar Ganesh who were known for composing Devar's movies and for a host of others. Their best movies are Naan yen pirandhen and Idhaya veena ...both for MGR.... However, at times they used to copy hindi songs and make it in Tamil with some added flavour to suit our audience.
I know Shankar is no more and the duo disappeared once Ilayaraja established his domain in the late 70s.
I wish to know where Mr. Ganesh is now.

S.Balaji

[saradhaa_sn]

"Shanker-Ganesh"....

A famous name in Tamil Cine music world like Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, Shanker Jaikishan, Laxmikanth Pyarilal.
Initially they were assistants for Viswanathan Ramamoorthy during 1960's (Palum Pazhamum, Alayamani, Karnan period). Then they were introduced by Kannadasan to 'Sando' Chinnapa Thevar, Thevar gave them oppertunity to music individually in his film 'Magarasi' (Not MGR's Mugarasi) starred by Ravichandran and Jayalalitha. Thatswhy they added in title as "Kavinger vazhangiya thevarin" Shanker Ganesh, as a token of thanks for both of the giants.

Eventhough K.V.Mahadevan was the "asthaana music director" for Dhevar Films, Dhevar gave many more oppertunities for Shanker Ganesh to music for his films. Some of the master pieces are:

1) Nervazhi
2) Akka Thangai (100 days)
3) Maanavan (100 days)
4) Penn Dheivam (100 days)
5) Komatha En Kulamatha (100 days)
6) Aattukkaara Alamelu (Silver Jubilee)
7) Vellikizhamai Viradham (100 days)
Thaai meedhu Sathiyam (100 days) and so many other films.
As long as Dhevar was alive, he never failed to use them. But after his demice, his son used Ilaiyaraja in his films and gradually 'Dhevar Films' disappeared from the field.

Shanker Ganesh also worked as music directors for two MGR films, in which all songs are super hits. They are:

1) Idhaya Veenai
2) Naan Yen Pirandhen

When Hindi 'Dhoraha' was remade in Tamil as "Aval", it was music composed by Shanker Ganesh.

One of the famous producer G.Subramaniya Reddiyar (in 1970-80) gave more oppertunities for them. Some of them are:

1) Pugundha Veedu (125 days)
2) Paththu maadha Bandham (100 days)
3) Thaaiku oru Pillai (100 days)
4) Veettukku vandha Marumagal
etc........

They also composed music for Sreepriya's two movies "Neeya" and "Natchathiram"

For long time they were 'aasthaana music directors' for Director Rama. Narayanan and gave many hits like Ilanjodigal, Seerum Singangal, Manmadha Rajakkal and so on.

Now Shanker has expired two years back and only Ganesh is alive with us. He is performing stage music programmes now.

(Thanks to Mr.Karthik_mr... for this information)

[S.Balaji]

Dear Ms. Saradha,

Thank you very much for the update. Yes, they have also composed some melodius songs.
However, some of them were not original and thats why they lost way as Originality will only survive in the long run

[saradhaa_sn]

Some more hit movies of Shanker Ganesh are:

1) Darling...darling...darling.... (by Baghyaraj)
2) Samsaaram Adhu Minsaaram... (by Visu)
3) Thirunathi Oru Vegumathi... (by Visu)
4) Bandham ...... (by Balaji) Shivaji & Baby Shalini

[S.Balaji]

Idayaveenai - Pon andhi maalai pozudhu - good one

Naan paadum paadal nalamaga vendum - MGR nice one

Unadhu viziyil enadhu paarvai - Good song

Courtesy MGR's push, they must have composed as MGR is well known for flair on music