Meesai Murugesan

Meesai Murugesan Biography

Meesai Murugesan was a veteran actor, percussionist and musician who was associated with Tamil movies. He played supporting roles in more than a hundred Tamil films. His real name is IS Murugesan, and was popularly known as Meesai Murugesan. Poove Unakkaga, s Unnal Mudiyum Thambi Amaidhi Padai, Aan Paavam etc are some of his noted character roles. He was conferred with prestigious Kalaimamani by the Tamil Nadu State government for his contributions to art, music and cinema. Sugamana Raagangalin 1985 was his debut film, in which he was spotted with a thick moustache. Since then he came to be known as Meesai Murugesan in the film industry. He played more than 25 musical instruments, which he learnt.

I. S. Murugesan was born on 13 January 1930 in Idigarai Village, Coimbatore. He was a Carnatic musician who started his musical journey by playing the 'Kottankuchi' (coconut shell), alongside great musicians for their live concerts. He has accompanied great musicians like T. M. Soundararajan, K. P. Sundarambal, M. K. T. Bhagavathar, Seerkazhi Govindarajan etc for live performances during his younger ages. He entered film scene as a musician and percussionist, and has assisted many music composers like M. S. Viswanathan, Ilayaraja etc.

One of his notable performances is the making of noise of footfall of the horse in the very popular classic song of MGR, "Rajavin Paarvai Raniyin Pakkam" from the movie, Anbae Vaa. He created shrill sound effects for the movie - Nenjam Marappathillai, yet another accomplished work. He was an accomplished musician who could play more than 25 musical instruments. "Apoorva Thalavaithiyangal" is a one-man band started by him.

He also performed music in many countries across the globe. While he was on a tour in South Africa, he met with a road accident and was bedridden for several years before he could start walking again. After that he stopped performing outside India. He had a multiple organ failure a few days before he died in 2014. He was 84.

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Updated: July 15, 2018