Malaysia Vasudevan

• Name — Malaysia Vasudevan • Other Names — Sathu Arumugam Nair • Born — 15 June 1944 • Birthplace — Kuala Selangor, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Federated Malay States • Died — 20 February 2011 • Place of death — Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India • Occupation — Film director, playback singer, actor • Years Active — 1960–2011 • Spouse — Usha (m.1970-2011) • Children — 3 including Yugendran, Prashanthini

Vasudevan's parents were from Palakkad. Chattu Nair of Ottappalam and Ammalu of Polpulli, along with their families migrated to British Malaya in search of a livelihood. After a few years, Chattu Nair married Ammalu in an arranged marriage. Vasudevan was born on 15 June 1944 as their eighth and youngest child. Vasudevan started singing on stage when he was eight. Vasudevan was also interested in acting. When Vasudevan grew up, he attached himself to Tamil drama troupes in Malaysia as an actor and singer. The producers of one of his plays Ratha Paei, wanted to make it into a film. Vasudevan came with the group to Chennai and acted in the film Raththa Paei. He even sang a song for the film under the baton of G. K. Venkatesh, for whom Ilaiyaraaja was working as the assistant.

Malaysia Vasudevan's first major song was in the film Delhi to Madras, that starred Jaishankar and Srividya. It was a comedy song "Paalu Vikkira Padma Un Paalu Romba Suthhama?", for the music director V. Kumar. He joined the Pavalar Brothers troupe which was run by Ilaiyaraaja and his brothers. During a stage performance, music director M. S. Viswanathan heard Vasudevan and gave him a small piece of a song in Bharatha Vilas (he sang for the Punjabi in "Indhiya Naadu En Veedu") and then a song in Thalai Prasavam. His first big break came when Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan made him sing "Kaalam Seyyum Vilaiyattu" in Kumasthavin Magal. Vasudevan was rechristened Malaysia Vasudevan by A. P. Nagarajan in this film. Later, when Ilaiyaraaja debuted in the Tamil film industry with Annakili, he was asked to sing in the film, and after "Aattukutti Muttai Ittu" from 16 Vayathinile happened, Malaysia Vasudevan never looked back. Ilaiyaraaja backed him until he became a star singer. Under the music direction of M. S. Viswanathan, Malaysia Vasudevan recorded several songs in Tamil cinema. These include “Ezhudhugiral Oru Pudhukkavithai” from Saranaalayam and “Enniyirundhadhu Eadera” from Andha 7 Naatkal. He also sang in Billa, contributing to its soundtrack. Vasydevan sang songs, like "Kanna Thorakkanum Saami", or "Nila Kaayudhu" and emotional songs like "Oru Thanga Rathathhil" (Dharma Yuddham), "Allithhandha Bhoomi Annai Allava" (Nandu), "Adi Aadu Poongodiye" (Kali), "Vaa Vaa Vasanthamey" (Puthu Kavithai), "Pattuvanna Rosavam" (Kannipparuvathile) and "Ponmaana Thedi Naanum Poovodu" (Enga Oor Rasathi). He also sang more folksy tunes for Shankar–Ganesh. In the nineties, he sang several songs for A. R. Rahman, including "Then Kizhakku" (Kizhakku Cheemayile) and "Monalisa Monalisa" (Mr. Romeo). The song "Poo Pookum Osai" (Minsara Kanavu) featured Vasudevan's voice in the chorus. Vasudevan worked with many music directors such as M. S. Viswanathan, Ilaiyaraaja, Shankar–Ganesh, Deva, A. R. Rahman and Vidyasagar. He also lent his voice for a few albums. The most notable among them is Disco Disco (1987), a collaboration with composer Dilip (A. R. Rahman) and playback singer K. S. Chithra. This was the first album production of A. R. Rahman. Disco Disco Vol 2 was released later, though it was not as popular.

Malaysia Vasudevan composed music for a few movies, including Uravugal, Itho Varugiren, Samanthi Poo (1980), Pakku Vethilai (1981), Ayiram Kaigal, Aaraavathu Kurukku Theru (1984), Kolusu (1985), and Rajaavin Paarvai (1988).

He has directed a film called Nee Sirithal Deepavali (1991).

Malaysia Vasudevan acted in nearly 85 films. Veteran Tamil director A. P. Nagarajan christened him "Malaysia Vasudevan". Some of his notable films include Oorkavalan (with Rajinikanth), Mudhal Vasantham (with Sathyaraj), Oomai Vizhigal (with Vijayakanth), Kathanayagan (with Pandiyarajan), Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (with Kamal Haasan), Jallikattu, Thiruda Thiruda, Amaidhi Padai, Poove Unakkaga, Badri,Punnagai Desam and Kokki. He also acted in tele-serials.

Vasudevan's last song was "Happy", from the film Bale Pandiya (2010), in the music of Devan Ekambaram. His last film as an actor, Ithanai Naalaai Engiruthaai, is yet to be released. The last song he wrote was "Devathaiye" for the film Balam (2009), in the music of his son Yugendran Vasudevan Nair.

Malaysia Vasudevan married Annaporani, also known as Usha Vasudevan, on 26 January 1976. Malaysia Vasudevan has three children Yugendran, Prashanthini and Pavithra. Yugendran is an actor and Prashanthini is a playback singer.

Vasudevan died from the gangrene on 20 February 2011 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

• Actor This is a partial list of some of the films Malaysia Vasudevan has acted in. • Year — Title || Role || Notes • 1977 — Avar Enakke Sontham • 1978 — Nenjil Aadum Poo Ondru • 1979 — Velli Ratham • 1980 — Samanthipoo • 1981 — Pakkuvethilai • 1982 — Idho Varukiren Idho Varukiren • Nizhal Suduvathillai • 1983 — Ethanai Konam Ethanai Parvai • 1984 — Ayiram Kaigal • 1985 — Oru Kaidhiyin Diary — Suryaprakasam • Kolusu • 1986 — Muthal Vasantham • Unnidathil Naan • Palaivana Rojakkal • Oomai Vizhigal — Sattanathan MLA • 1987 — Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu • Per Sollum Pillai • Ithanai Nalai Engirunthai • Oorkavalan • Parisam Pottachu • Theertha Karayinile • Uzhavan Magan • Sirai Paravai • Jallikattu — Numerology • 1988 — Therkathi Kallan • Oorai Therinjikitten — Yercaud subramanian • Katha Nayagan • Raasave Unnai Nambi — Vasu • Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran • Thambi Thanga Kambi • 1989 — Thendral Sudum • Pongi Varum Kaveri • Dharma Devan • Poruthathu Pothum — Mohan Raj • Annakili Sonna Kathai • 1990 — Parampara — Kaliyappa Chettiyar — Malayalam film • Engal Swamy Ayyappan • Neesirithal Deepavali • 1992 — Singaravelan — Sumathi's father • 1993 — Thiruda Thiruda — Inspector • Paramparyam • Karuppu Vellai • 1994 — Amaidhi Padai • Jallikattu Kaalai • Pandiyanin Rajyathil • 1996 — Poove Unakkaga — Vasudevan • Summa Irunga Machan • Mappillai Manasu Poopola • Tamizh Selvan — Chief minister Dakshanamoorthy • Vasuki • Gopala Gopala • 1997 — Pongalo Pongal • Kathirunda Kadhal • 1998 — Ninaithen Vandhai — Vasudevan • Dhinamdhorum • 1999 — Pooparika Varugirom • 2000 — Kandukondain Kandukondain • Doubles • 2001 — Badri — Bhumika's Father • 2002 — Punnagai Desam • 2003 — Kaiyodu Kai • Nilavil Kalangamillai • 2006 — Kokki • 2007 — Adavadi • Ninaithu Ninaithu Parthen • Piragu • 2009 — Vikrant — Chakravarthy — Malaysian film • 2013 — Thirumathi Thamizh • Director • Nee Sirithal Deepavali (1991) • TV Serials • 2000 Micro Thodargal- Thedathe Tholainthu Povai • 2006-2007 Lakshmi as Puniyakodi • Composer • Samanthipoo (1980) • Sonnathu Nee Thaana (2006)