Film producer, script and screenplay writer and lyricist Panchu Arunachalam, who introduced Ilayaraja as music director in his film Annakili and made more films starring Kamal Hassan and Rajinikanth died here on Monday. He was 75 and is survived by his wife, two daughters and two sons.
Panchu Arunachalam was son of late poet Kannadasan's elder brother and worked as his assistant for many years. "Kannadasan would dictate the songs to him," said director S.P. Muthuraman, who had worked with him in films including Priya , Engayo Ketta Kural , Aduttha Vaarisu and Guru Sishyan .
Mr. Muthuraman said Panchu Arunachalam was the pillar of their unit. "He is also adept at writing comedy dialogues and Guru Sishayan bears testimony to his talent," he said. All his songs for the film Annakili continues to haunt generations of film music lovers.
Even when Kannadasan was dominating the film world, Panchu Arunachalam proved his mettle by penning super-hit songs including Manmagale Marumagale Vaa Vaa in Sharada and Pon Ezhil Poothathu Puthu Vaanil in Kalangarai Vilakkam and Poopola Poopala in Naanum Oru Penn . He wrote dialogues for Sivaji starrer Avanthan Manithan .
"He was a multi-faceted personality and could judge what is vital for a success of a film," said poet and lyricist Vairamuthu, who watched Kabali along with Panchu Arunachalam in a special show arranged by Rajinikanth himself.
"When Mr. Rajinikanth organised the screening he wanted me to invite Panchu Arunachalam and he readily agreed despite his poor health. We had a long chat during the interval," said Mr. Vairmuthu, pointing out it was Panchu Arunachalam, by providing the lead role in the film Aarilirunthu Arupathu Varai proved that Rajinikanth could effortlessly play character role. The song Kanmaniye Kaadhal Enbathu in the film and Kaadhalin Deepam Ondru in the film Thambikku Entha Ooru are also an all time hit.
" Engeyo Ketta Kural is another fine of Panchu Arunachalam-Rajinikanth combination," he said
