Ansuma Basumatary at 11:20, 26 February 2026

2026-02-26T11:20:34Z

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{{Short description|Indian screenwriter (1931–2022)}}
{{Indian patronymic|'''Yesudas''' or by his [[stage name]] '''Aaroor Das'''|'''Santhaygu'''}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix = [[Kalaimamani]]
| name = Aaroor Dass
| image =
| caption = Tamil Cine Talk
| birth_name = Yesudas
| birth_date = {{birth date|1931|09|10|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Thiruvarur]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British Raj|British India]] (now [[Tamil Nadu]], India)
| death_date = {{death date and age|2022|11|20|1931|09|10|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| height =
| other_names = Aarooraan
| occupation = Screenwriter
| awards = [[Kalaimamani]] Kavingnar Vaali Award (2016)<ref name="thehindu1">{{cite web |url=https://www.tamil.thehindu.com/general/literature/தொடுகறி-விக்ரமாதித்யன்-ஆரூர்தாஸ்-இருவருக்கும்-வாலி-விருது/article9254870.ece |title=தொடுகறி விக்ரமாதித்யன், ஆரூர் தாஸ் இருவருக்கும் வாலி விருது |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=22 October 2016 |accessdate=19 May 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Makkal Kavingnar Award
| homepage =
| parents = Santhyagu (Father) Arockiya Mary (Mother)
| spouse = Baby
| children = Thara, Usha, Asha (daughter) Ravichandran (Son)
| signature =
| signature_alt =
}}

'''Sathyagu Yesudas''' (10 September 1931 – 20 November 2022) known by his [[stage name]] '''Aaroor Dass''', was an Indian stage, film and television Screenwriter who was active in [[Tamil cinema]] during the latter part of the 20th century.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stg.dailythanthi.com/Cinema/CinemaNews/2014/08/11122502/The-other-side-of-cinema.vpf |title=மாற்றியமைத்த விதி ஆரூர் தாஸ் |date=11 August 2014 |accessdate=18 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813113023/http://www.dailythanthi.com/Cinema/CinemaNews/2014/08/11122502/The-other-side-of-cinema.vpf|archive-date=13 August 2014}}</ref> Aaroor Dass has written the story and dialogues for over 1000 films, who dominate the [[Tamil film]] for more than 40 years.<ref name="vikatan" /> He wrote his first film for actor [[Sivaji Ganesan]]'s ''[[Pasamalar]]'' (1961).<ref name="Anandan">{{cite book |last=Film News |first=Anandan |authorlink=Film News Anandan |title=Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru (Tamil Film History and Its Achievements)|year=2004|publisher=Sivagamai Publications|pages=738}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/platinum-celebration/article5029975.ece|title=Platinum celebration|first=S. r Ashok|last=Kumar|newspaper=The Hindu|date=17 August 2013|accessdate=13 April 2020|via=www.thehindu.com|archive-date=12 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812141148/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/platinum-celebration/article5029975.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> He debuted as a director with the film ''Penn Endral Penn'' (1967).

==Early life==
Dass was born on 10 September 1931 to Arockiya Mary and Santhyagu as Yesudas at [[Thiruvarur]], [[Nagapattinam]]. He had three younger brothers and three younger sisters. Aaroor Dass attended Thiruvarur Jilla Board Higher Secondary School. Aaroor refers to [[Thiruvarur]].<ref name=aroor>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/star-wordsmith/article2923705.ece | archive-url=https://archive.today/20141120101726/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/star-wordsmith/article2923705.ece | url-status=dead | archive-date=2014-11-20 | title='Star' Wordsmith - the Hindu | website=[[The Hindu]] }}</ref>

==Career==
Dass started his career as an assistant to [[Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass]] in 1955 and assisted in writing the dialogues for the film called ''[[Rechukka|Naattiya Thara]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bsubra.wordpress.com/category/music/page/2/|title= Kavinjar Thanjai Ramaiyah Das – Tamil Cinema Poets|accessdate=7 January 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106235348/https://bsubra.wordpress.com/category/music/page/2/|archivedate=6 January 2017}}</ref><ref name=aroor /> He has said that he named his first child as Arokyamary and also gave a pet name, ''Thara Devi'' in remembrance of this film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nakarajan.blogspot.in/2016/08/blog-post_6.html|title=எம்.ஜி.ஆருடன் முதல் சந்திப்பு- ஆரூர் தாஸ்|accessdate=7 January 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107000101/http://nakarajan.blogspot.in/2016/08/blog-post_6.html|archivedate=7 January 2017|trans-title=First meeting with M. G. R. - Aroor Das}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jp7ayTLX1D8C&q=aroor+das&pg=PA281 |title=World Filmography: 1967 |author=Peter Cowie, Derek Elley |year=1977 |publisher=Fairleigh Dickinson Univ Press |isbn=9780498015656 |accessdate=19 May 2019 |archive-date=9 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109131439/https://books.google.com/books?id=Jp7ayTLX1D8C&q=aroor+das&pg=PA281#v=snippet&q=aroor%20das&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> He wrote his debut film as ''[[Vaazha Vaitha Deivam]]'' (1959) produced by [[Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar]]. Then, he wrote next film for Sivaji Ganesan's ''[[Pasamalar]]'' (1961) and continued to write for the thespian in 28 films. When he wrote Pasamalar, Das was 28 years, Sivji Ganesan was 32 and Savitri was 24. He wrote for nearly the same number of [[M. G. Ramachandran]] too (including a few that were not released). Dass worked with many top class directors of yesteryears, like [[A. Bhimsingh]], [[A. C. Tirulokchandar]], [[M. A. Thirumugam]] and many others. He was associate director under Tirulokchandar and Dever films. He has written stage plays like ''Thirisoolam'' and ''Jenma Thandanai''.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} In June 2022, Aaroor Dass received the Kalaignar Kalaithurai Vithagar Award from the government of Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 June 2022 |title=Aaroor Das Receives Tamil Nadu Govt's Kalaignar Kalaithurai Vithagar Award |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/aaroor-das-receives-tamil-nadu-govts-kalaignar-kalaithurai-vithagar-award-5305375.html |access-date=5 July 2022 |website=[[News18]] |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705191926/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/aaroor-das-receives-tamil-nadu-govts-kalaignar-kalaithurai-vithagar-award-5305375.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Personal life and death==
Dass married Baby, the couple had four children; three daughters Thara, Aasha and Usha and a son Ravichandran. He lived in Nathamuni Street in [[T. Nagar]] in [[Chennai]].<ref name="vikatan">{{cite web|url=https://www.vikatan.com/diwalimalar/2013-oct-31/cinema/114488-aroor-das.html|title=கலை வித்தகர் ஆரூர் தாஸ் - என் சிந்தைக்கினிய சினிமா தேவதை|date=6 March 2017|accessdate=18 May 2019|archive-date=18 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518080807/https://www.vikatan.com/diwalimalar/2013-oct-31/cinema/114488-aroor-das.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Dass died in [[Chennai]] on 20 November 2022, at the age of 91.<ref>{{cite web |date=20 November 2022 |title=Veteran screenwriter Aaroor Dass no more |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/veteran-screenwriter-aaroor-dass-no-more/article66162269.ece |access-date=20 November 2022 |website=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=20 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120182147/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/veteran-screenwriter-aaroor-dass-no-more/article66162269.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Filmography==
{{Incomplete list|date=May 2019}}

===As writer===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Movie !! Note !! class="unsortable"|{{Tooltip|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}}
|-
| 1954 || ''Naattiya Thara'' || ||
|-
| 1957 || ''[[Sati Savitri (1957 film)|Sathiyavan Savithri]]'' || ||
|-
| 1957 || ''[[Nala Damayanthi (1957 film)|Nala Damayanthi]]'' || Tamil dubbed version only||
|-
| 1958 ||''[[Zimbo (film)|Zimbo]]'' ||Dubbed version of Hindi film of [[Zimbo (film)|same name]] ||
|-
| 1959 || ''[[Vaazha Vaitha Deivam]]'' || ||<ref name="thehindu">{{cite web |author=Randor Guy |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/vaazhavaitha-deivam-1959/article4706180.ece |title=Blast from the Past — Vaazhavaitha Deivam 1959 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=11 March 2013 |accessdate=18 May 2019 |archive-date=28 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128092748/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/vaazhavaitha-deivam-1959/article4706180.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 1960 ||''[[Uthami Petra Rathinam]]'' ||
|-
| 1961 || ''[[Pasamalar]]'' || ||
|-
| 1961 || ''[[Kongunattu Thangam]]'' || ||
|-
| 1961 || ''[[Thaai Sollai Thattadhe]]'' || ||
|-
| 1962 || ''[[Kudumba Thalaivan]]'' || ||
|-
| 1962 || ''[[Paarthaal Pasi Theerum]]'' || ||
|-
| 1962 || ''[[Padithal Mattum Podhuma]]'' || ||
|-
| 1962 || ''[[Thayai Katha Thanayan]]'' || ||
|-
| 1963 || ''[[Annai Illam]]'' || ||
|-
| 1963 || ''[[Needhikkuppin Paasam]]'' || ||
|-
| 1963 || ''[[Paar Magale Paar]]'' || ||
|-
| 1963 || ''[[Parisu]]'' || ||
|-
| 1964 || ''[[Thozhilali]]'' || ||
|-
| 1964 || ''[[Puthiya Paravai]]'' || ||
|-
|-
| 1964 || ''[[Vettaikaaran (1964 film)|Vettaikaaran]]'' || ||
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Aasai Mugam]]'' || ||
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Idhaya Kamalam]]'' || ||
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Kaakum Karangal]]'' || ||
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Kaattu Rani (1965 film)|Kaattu Rani]]'' || ||
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Thazhampoo]]'' || ||
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Anbe Vaa (1966 film)|Anbe Vaa]]'' || ||
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Petralthan Pillaiya]]'' || ||
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Thaali Bhagyam]]'' || ||
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Thanipiravi]]'' || ||
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Iru Malargal]]'' || ||
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Thaikku Thalaimagan]]'' || ||
|-
| 1967 ||''[[Thangai]]'' || ||
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Akka Thangai]]'' || || <ref name=Anandan/>
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Anbalippu]]'' || dialogues ||
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Deiva Magan]]'' || ||
|-
| 1971 || ''[[Praptham]]'' || ||
|-
| 1974 || ''[[Panathukkaga]]'' || ||
|-
| 1976 ||''[[Bhadrakali (film)|Bhadrakali]]'' || ||
|-
| 1977 || ''[[Avan Oru Sarithiram]]'' || ||
|-
| 1978 ||''[[Vanakkatukuriya Kathaliye]]'' || ||
|-
| 1979 ||''[[Naan Vazhavaippen]]''|| ||
|-
| 1979 || ''[[Pattakathi Bhairavan]]'' || ||
|-
|1983 ||''[[Sumangali (1983 film)|Sumangali]]'' || ||
|-
| 1984 ||''[[Niraparaadhi]]'' || ||
|-
| 1984 ||''[[Osai]]'' || ||
|-
| 1984 || ''[[Unnai Naan Santhithen]]'' || ||
|-
| 1984 || ''[[Vidhi (1984 film)|Vidhi]]'' || ||
|-
| 1984 ||''My Dear Kuttichathan'' ||Dubbed version of Malayalam film ''[[My Dear Kuttichathan]]'' ||
|-
| 1985 ||''[[Bandham (1985 film)|Bandham]]'' || ||
|-
| 1985 ||''[[Mangamma Sapatham (1985 film)|Mangamma Sapatham]]'' || ||
|-
|1985 ||''Poo Ondru Puyalaanathu'' ||Dubbed version of Telugu film ''Pratighatana''||
|-
| 1986 || ''[[Marumagal (1986 film)|Marumagal]]'' || ||
|-
| 1986 ||''[[Viduthalai (1986 film)|Viduthalai]]'' || ||
|-
| 1987 ||''[[Anbulla Appa]]'' || ||
|-
| 1987 || ''[[Vairagyam]]'' || ||
|-
| 1987 ||''[[Kudumbam Oru Koyil]]'' || ||
|-
|1989||''Idhu Dhanda Police'' ||Dubbed version of Telugu film ''Ankusam'' ||
|-
|1989||''Mannikka Vendugiren''||Dubbed version of Telugu film ''Yamapaasam''||
|-
|1990 ||''Vyjayanthi IPS'' ||Dubbed version of Telugu film ''Karthavyam'' ||
|-
|1992||''Asokan'' ||Dubbed version of Malayalam film ''[[Yoddha (1992 film)|Yoddha]]''||
|-
|1993||''Evana Irundha Enakenna'' ||Dubbed version of Telugu film ''Aagraham''
|-
|1993||''Surya''||Dubbed version of Telugu film ''[[Nippu Ravva]]''
|-
| 1994 || ''[[Watchman Vadivelu]]'' || ||
|-
| 1994 || ''[[Hero (1994 film)|Hero]]'' || ||
|-
|1995||''The King'' ||Dubbed version of Malayalam film ''[[The King (1995 film)|The King]]''
|-
|1996||''Kutty Sippaigal''||dubbed version of Telugu film ''Little Soldiers''
|-
| 2001 ||''Pappa'' ||Dubbed version of Telugu film ''[[Devi Putrudu]]'' ||
|-
|2004 ||''Anbu Sagothiran''||Dubbed version of Telugu film ''Puttintiki Raa Chelli''||
|-
| 2014 || ''[[Tenaliraman (film)|Tenaliraman]]'' || ||
|}

===As director===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Movie !! Actor !! Note !! class="unsortable"|{{Tooltip|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}}
|-
| 1967 || ''Penn Endral Penn'' || [[Gemini Ganesan]] || ||
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dass, Aaroor}}
[[Category:1931 births]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:Writers from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Tamil screenwriters]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:Dramatists and playwrights from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:Indian male dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:Indian male screenwriters]]

Aaroor Dass - Revision history

Ansuma Basumatary at 11:20, 26 February 2026