Sirkazhi Govindarajan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Sirkazhi Govindarajan[1] (1933-01-19)19 January 1933 |
| Died | 24 March 1988(1988-03-24) (aged 55) |
| Genres | Film music (playback singing),Indian classical music |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actor |
| Instrument | Vocalist |
| Years active | 1952–1988 |
Sirkazhi Govindarajan (19 January 1933 – 24 March 1988) was aCarnatic vocalist and a playback singer of Indian cinema, predominantly in Tamil cinema.[2][3][4][5]
Govindarajan, was born on 19 January 1933 atSirkazhi (a small town in present-dayMayiladuthurai district,Tamil Nadu; famed birthplace ofSambandar, one of the 63Nayanars of the Saiva faith) to Siva Chidambaram and Avayambal Ammal. At the age of eight, Govindarajan began to perform at the Tirupurasundari Temple on the occasion of the Gnana Paal Festival.[6]
He graduated from theTamil Isai College in Chennai (Madras) in 1949 with the degree 'Isaimani'.[7] He also graduated with the Degree of 'Sangeetha Vidwan'. At the same time, he started rigorous training (Gurukulavasam) under his Guru Thiruppampuram Swaminatha Pillai, who was then a professor at the Central College of Carnatic Music, Madras. Under his tutelage and in-depth study, he gained knowledge of the nuances and intricacies of Indian Music, especially, Classical Carnatic Music. During this period (1951–1952) he won many competitions, conducted by the Sangeetha Vidwat Sabha (Music Academy) and the Rasika Ranjani Sabha.
S. V. Venkataraman,S. M. Subbaiah Naidu,S. Rajeswara Rao,S. Dakshinamurthi,V. Dakshinamoorthy,G. Ramanathan, C. N. Pandurangam,Master Venu,K. V. Mahadevan,Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan,G. Devarajan, B. Narasimma Rao, A. Rama Rao,T. Chalapathi Rao,T. G. Lingappa,P. Adinarayana Rao,T. R. Pappa,Ghantasala,Vedha,G. K. Venkatesh,M. S. Viswanathan,T. K. Ramamoorthy,V. Kumar,A. M. Rajah,C. Ramachandra,Ilaiyaraaja, andShankar–Ganesh,Baburaj
He has sung with other male singers such asM. S. Viswanathan,T. M. Soundararajan,Ghantasala,P. B. Sreenivas, S. C. Krishnan,Tiruchi Loganathan,A. L. Raghavan,K. J. Yesudas and S. V. Ponnusamy.
He also sang duets with many female singer such asM. L. Vasanthakumari,P. Leela,K. Jamuna Rani,Jikki,P. Susheela,K. Rani,L. R. Eswari, L. R. Anjali,Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi,Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi,R. Balasaraswathi Devi,N. L. Ganasaraswathi,A. P. Komala, A. G. Rathinmala,T. V. Rathnam, Bangalore A. R. Ramani Ammal,Vani Jairam,S. Janaki, M. R. Vijaya, Sarala and Rohini.
He sang duets with singing actors such asN. S. Krishnan,T. R. Mahalingam,P. Bhanumathi,S. Varalakshmi andManorama.
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Kandhan Karunai | Nakkeerar |
| 1969 | Vaa Raja Vaa | Police Officer |
| 1970 | Thirumalai Thenkumari | Bhagavathar shivachidambaram |
| 1972 | Agathiyar | Agathiyar |
| 1972 | Dheivam | Cameo Appearance |
| 1973 | Rajaraja Cholan | Nambiyandar Nambi |
| 1975 | Thiruvarul | Cameo Appearance |
| 1976 | Dasavatharam | Naradhar |
| 1982 | Thaai Mookaambikai | Cameo Appearance |
Govindarajan had sung for many leading actors likeM. G. Ramachandran,Gemini Ganesan,N. T. Rama Rao,S. S. Rajendran, andR. Muthuraman.
He was the recipient of three gold medals (first place) in the austere and hallowed halls of Sangeetha Vidwat Sabha (Music Academy) fromKaraikudi Sambasiva Iyer. "Sangeetha Vidwan" Sirkali won all first places in the three categories: Apoorva Krithis of Sri Thyagaraja swamigal, Ragam-Thalam-Pallavi, and Tamil Classical Songs.[6]
He was conferred thePadma Shri award by the Government of India. The Central College of Carnatic Music was the next institution for his musical enrichment.
Govindarajan had also done playback singing inTamil,Telugu,Kannada andMalayalam films.[8]Madras University conferred a doctorate (Honoris Causa) on him in 1983.
Source:[9][non-primary source needed]
Govindarajan was married to Sulochana from Omalur, Tamil Nadu. Their sonSirkazhi G. Sivachidambaram is also a Carnatic singer and a Medical Doctor.[12]
Govindarajan died on 24 March 1988 inMadras (nowChennai) due to a massive heart attack. He was aged 55.
