Celebrating the music of S.A. Rajkumar

Music composer and lyricist S.A. Rajkumar – the composer behind iconic soundtracks like Priyaamana Thozhi, Poove Unakaaga and Priyamaanavvale – was born on 23 August 1964.

Rajkumar’s father was a stage singer who sang in shows under Illaiyaraja, Gangaiamaren and Deva. This led to Rajkumar taking an early interest in singing and music.H ethen completed his formal training in Carnatic music under Subbaiah Bhagavathar.

He was introduced as a music composer by the directorial duo Robert-Rajasekar in the 1987 film Chinna Poove Mella Pesu, a soundtrack that went on to gain hit status.

In his earlier films, Rajkumar wrote the lyrics to all his songs and had a composing sound similar to Illaiyaraja’s.

In 1990 he won the Filmfare Award for Best Music composer for the film Pudhu Vasantham, the directorial debut of Vikraman. Rajkumar penned only two of the songs but the relationship formed with Vikraman would turn into a long lasting one.

In 1995 Rajkumar broke away from his previous composing style with his soundtrack for Vikraman’s Vijay starrer, Poove Unakaage. His style of music switched to one with a heavy Hindustani bias in terms of the rhythm and instrumentation.

Post Poove Unakaage he continued this style,as demonstrated in films like Aval Varuvaalla, Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen, Priyamanaanavalle, Surya Vamsam, Punnagai Dhesam and Priyamaana Thozhi.

In 1997 S.A. Rajkumar won the Tamil Nadu Stae Award for Best Music composer for the film Surya Vamsam.

Rajkumar’s last major film was Devayani’s 75^th film, Thirumathi Thamizh and his last released film soundtrack was for the 2021 film Vaa Pagandaya. There were serious issues surrounding the film which saw its release delayed until 2024.