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This is an archive article published on October 3, 2023
Folk songwriter Arumughan Venkitangu, who made Malayalam actor Kalabhavan Mani a star, passes away
In his decades-long career, Arumughan Venkitangu penned approximately 350 folk songs, many of which were sung by the late actor Kalabhavan Mani, and these songs deeply resonated with the aesthetics of Kerala.
Folk songwriter Arumughan Venkitangu played a pivotal role in the late actor Kalabhavan Mani's rise to fame and stardom. (Images: AN Radhakrishnan/Facebook, Kalabhavan Mani/Instagram)
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Folk songwriter Arumughan Venkitangu, who made Malayalam actor Kalabhavan Mani a star, passes away
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Renowned folk songwriter Arumughan Venkitangu, who played a pivotal role in the late actor Kalabhavan Mani’s rise to fame and stardom, passed away at the age of 65 on Tuesday. In his decades-long career, Arumughan penned approximately 350 folk songs that deeply resonated with the aesthetics of Kerala, as reported by Mathrubhumi.
Referred to as Nadanpattukalude Mudichoodamannan (the uncrowned king of folk songs), he composed and wrote songs like “Chalakudy Chanthaaku Pokumbol,” “Pakalu Muzhuvan Pani Eduthu,” “Varikka Chakkede Chola Kanakkinu,” “Poovaadi Penne Poovaadi Penne,” and “Varuthantoppam Olich Chaadiya,” among others. These songs were all sung by Kalabhavan Mani and became chart-toppers during the cassette tape era.
Together, the duo popularised folk songs among the Kerala population. With Arumughan’s rooted lyrics and exhilarating music, combined with Mani’s high-octane energy, they established folk songs as a parallel industry within Kerala’s cultural spectrum.
According to Manorama Online, Arumughan hailed from a financially disadvantaged family. His father worked as a daily wage labourer, and his mother as a farm labourer. From a young age, Arumughan had a passion for art and music. Although he initially pursued a career as a journalist after his education, he couldn’t continue it for long due to financial constraints and turned to farming instead. However, he never abandoned his love for music.
In addition to writing folk songs for Kalabhavan Mani, Arumughan also composed and wrote soundtracks for a few Malayalam films, such as Meenakshi Kalyanam, Udayon, The Guard, Chandrolsavam, and Rakshakan.
Arumughan is survived by his wife and children. According to Mathrubhumi, the funeral will be held at 3 pm on Tuesday at the public cemetery in Mullassery, Thrissur.
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