>Ser Amantio di Nicolao at 06:22, 7 July 2021

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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2019}}
Cuddalore Nagarathinam Pandurangan (1912 – 1975) was a noted music director who had scored music for Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Sinhala movies. '''C. N. Pandurangan''' was an Indian music director who worked mainly in South Indian films.<ref name="Saravanan Natarajan">{{cite news | url=https://newdhool.blogspot.com/search/label/C.N.%20Pandurangan | title= மலர்ந்தும் மலராதவை # 27 | author=Saravanan Natarajan | work=Dhool | date=24 March 2018 | access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref>

==Early life==
Cuddalore Nagarathinam Pandurangan (CNP) was born in 1912. His father was holding a Government post, conducted religious discourses and was also an exponent of Harikatha. CNP commenced his music lessons under his father and accompanied him on the stage. He was later put under the tutelage of [[Chittoor Subramaniam Pillai]] (The same vocalist who taught [[Madurai Somu]]).<ref name="Saravanan Natarajan"/>

==Career==
CNP became a veena exponent and was spotted by [[K. Subramaniam]] who engaged CNP for his productions. CNP’s first assignment as a music composer was the 1948 Sinhalese movie ''[[Kapati Arakshakaya]]'' directed by K. Subramaniam. The movie was a runaway hit and CNP’s compositions sung by the famous Eddie Jayamane and Rukmani Devi became very popular. This led to CNP composing the songs for a few more Sinhalese movies in later years such as ''Veradunu Kurumanama'', ''Amma'', ''Sihinaya'' and ''Devasundari''. Vembathur Krishnan mentioned working with CNP in reverential terms.

The first Tamil movie which had songs composed by CNP was ''[[Kamavalli]]'' (1948). Despite some good classical songs written by [[Papanasam Sivan]] and rendered by Nagercoil Mahadevan and [[S. Varalakshmi]]. Even though CNP was not flooded with offers, he carried on in Tamil movies till 1978. He also composed music for Telugu movies where most of them are Tamil-Telugu bilingual movies.

He worked in Kannada movie too such as ''Bhakta Mallikarjuna'' (1955), ''Kacha Devayani'' (1956), ''Devasundari'' (1962). Later ''Sri Purandaradasaru'' (1967) based on the legendary saint-composer which had singers such as M. L. Vasanthakumari, M. Balamuralikrishna, P. B. Srinivas and S. Janaki.<ref name="Saravanan Natarajan"/>

Composer [[Vedha (music director)|Vedha]] worked as his associate for some years and learned the nuances of music composition before branching off on his own. [[Pukazhenthi]] worked under him for a few years, before teaming up with K. V. Mahadevan. [[Shyam (composer)|Shyam]] commenced his film career as a violinist under him. [[B. A. Chidambaranath]] was part of his troupe.

Shyam mentioned that unlike the other composers who would compose playing the harmonium, CNP would play the notes on the veena and sing the tune. He could come up with 5 to 6 tunes for every song and the directors would sit mesmerized, spoilt for choice. His assistant Munuswamy would then play each segment on the harmonium to the instrumentalists. CNP shared a very good rapport with all the great lyricists and singers of the time. He used to encourage the lyricists to come out with appropriate, poetic lines and would not hesitate to amend the tune to accentuate the beauty of the lyrics. CNP was also very particular about the choice of singers, Shyam recalled, and each song would go the singer who CNP thought could do it the best justice. CNP would escort all his troupe members to Harrisons and treat them to a sumptuous meal at his own expense. Sham recalls CNP as ''A great artiste'' and ''A great human being''.<ref name="Saravanan Natarajan"/>

CNP worked with [[G. Ramanathan]] in [[Pudhu Vazhvu]]<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/blast-from-the-past-pudhu-vazhvu-1957/article6408005.ece | title= Pudhu Vazhvu 1957 |author=Randor Guy |author-link=Randor Guy |work=[[The Hindu]] | date=13 September 2014 | access-date=12 September 2016}}</ref> and with [[Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy]] in [[Pona Machaan Thirumbi Vandhan]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/pona-machaan-thirumbi-vandhaan-1954/article5459568.ece | title= Pona Machaan Thirumbi Vandhaan (1954) |author=Randor Guy |author-link=Randor Guy |work=[[The Hindu]] | date=14 December 2013 | access-date=12 September 2016}}</ref> He also collaborated with Meenakshi Subramaniam in Kacha Devayani (Kannada) and Pandithevan (Tamil).<ref name="Saravanan Natarajan"/>

He worked with singers like [[T. M. Soundararajan]], [[A. M. Rajah]], [[Seerkazhi Govindarajan]], [[Thiruchi Loganathan]], [[C. S. Jayaraman]], V. N. Sundharam, [[P. B. Sreenivas]], S. C. Krishnan, T. A. Mothi, K. R Chellamuthu, [[A. L. Raghavan]], [[M. Balamuralikrishna]], S. V. Ponnusamy, K. M. Mani Rajan, [[M. L. Vasanthakumari]], [[P. A. Periyanayaki]], [[P. Leela]], [[Jikki]], [[T. V. Rathinam]], [[A. P. Komala]], [[K. Jamuna Rani]], [[P. Suseela]], [[Radha Jayalakshmi]], [[A. G. Rathnamala]], [[Soolamangalam Sisters|Soolamangalam Jeyalakshmi]], [[Soolamangalam Sisters|Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi]], K. V. Janaki, [[K. Rani (singer)|K. Rani]], G. Kasthoori, [[S. Janaki]], and [[L. R. Eswari]].

The singing actors [[T. R. Mahalingam (actor)|T. R. Mahalingam]], [[K. R. Ramaswamy (actor)|K. R. Ramaswamy]], [[S. Varalakshmi]], [[Chittor V. Nagaiah]], [[B. Jayamma]], [[N. S. Krishnan]], [[T. A. Madhuram]], P. S. Govindhan, C. S. Pandiyan and [[J. P. Chandrababu]] also sang memorable songs under his compositions.

==Style==
CNP only composed music for less than 40 movies spread over a period of 30 years. Many of them are collaboration with other composers where he had only a handful of songs to compose himself. Even though many of the movies were commercial failures, yet CNP shows his erudite classical roots, technical finesse, inventive arrangements, uncanny grasp of the mood and sequence and astute pick of a variety of singers.<ref name="Saravanan Natarajan"/>

==Works==
Some compositions of C. N. Pandurangan, include:
* ''Manmohanadass Gandhi'' from [[Geetha Gandhi]] by [[P. A. Periyanayaki]]
* ''Good Luck! Good Luck'' from [[En Thangai (1952 film)|En Thangai]] by [[C.S. Pandiyan]] & [[A. G. Rathnamala]]
* ''Aadum Oonjalai Pole'' from [[En Thangai (1952 film)|En Thangai]] by [[T. A. Mothi]] & [[P. Leela]]
* ''Aasai Roja Paaru'' from Ragasiya Penn 117 by [[Soolamangalam Sisters|Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi]]
* ''Sirpi Sedhukkaadha Porchilaiye'' from [[Edhir Paradhathu]] by [[Jikki]]
* ''Sirpi Sedhukkaadha Porchilaiye'' from [[Edhir Paradhathu]] by [[A. M. Rajah]]
* ''Singara Roopa Karunaa'' from [[Mamiyar]] by [[S. Varalakshmi]]
* ''Dance Baby Dance'' from [[Gumastha (1953 film)|Gumastha]] by [[M. L. Vasanthakumari]]
* ''Jeeva Gaana Veena Naan'' from [[Bhoologa Rambai]] by [[P. Suseela]]
* ''Naanaada Nee Paadu Kannaa'' from [[Mala Oru Mangala Vilakku]] by Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
* ''Naan Paada Nee Aadu Kanne'' from [[Mala Oru Mangala Vilakku]] by [[P. B. Srinivas]]
* ''Chandi Miranda Kaadu Kollaadhu'' from [[Pandithevan]] by [[S. Janaki]]
* ''Nee Aadinaal Oor Aadidum'' from [[Pandithevan]] by [[J. P. Chandrababu]] & [[K. Jamuna Rani]]
* ''Inbama Kondadum'' from [[Indira En Selvam]] by P. B. Srinivas & [[K. Rani (singer)|K. Rani]]
* ''Kanni Paruvam Aval'' from [[Indira En Selvam]] by P. B. Srinivas & Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi

CNP has worked with Radha Jayalakshmi in almost all of his compositions which brings the best out of her .<ref name="Saravanan Natarajan"/>
Some of the songs are:
* ''Jegam Ezhum Neeye'' from [[Edhir Paradhathu]], solo
* ''Kannalar Ingu Varuvaar'' from [[Bhoologa Rambai]], solo
* ''Aasai Nenjame'' from [[Bhoologa Rambai]] with [[A. M. Rajah]]
* ''Kanavu Ninaivaagum'' from [[Menaka (1955 film)|Menaka]], solo
* ''Thellathelindha Thenamudhe'' from [[Indira En Selvam]], solo
* ''Anbaana Mozhi Pesum'' from [[Solaimalai Raani]] with [[A. M. Rajah]]
* ''Annai Nee En Vaazhvile'' from [[Mala Oru Mangala Vilakku]], solo
* ''Kannum Karuthum'' from [[Pandithevan]] with S. Janaki & K. Rani
* ''Aadhaaram Nin Paadham Ambigaiye'' from [[Pona Machaan Thirumbi Vandhan]], solo
* ''Kottu Melam Kovililm'' from [[Pudhu Vazhvu]], solo

==Personal life==
CNP and his wife Tarabai had 6 children. One of his sons, Mohanarangan was a famed flautist. CNP passed away in 1975 at the age of 63.<ref name="Saravanan Natarajan"/>

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Film !! Language !! Director !! Banner !! Co-Music Directors
|-
| 1948 || ''[[Kamavalli]]<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1948-cinedetails8.asp|title=Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru|publisher=Sivakami Publishers|author=Film News Anandan|author-link=Film News Anandan|date= 23 October 2004|location=Chennai|language=Tamil|trans-title=History of Landmark Tamil Films}}</ref>'' || [[Tamil language|Tamil]] || Manickam || Baskar Pictures ||
|-
| 1948 || ''[[List of Sri Lankan films of the 1940s#1948|Kapati Arakshakaya]]'' || [[Sinhala language|Sinhala]] || Jyotish Sinha & [[K. Subramanyam]] || Ceylon Theatres ||
|-
| 1948 || ''[[Naveena Valli]]<ref name=anandan />'' || Tamil || T. Balaji Singh || Santhanam Pictures ||
|-
| 1948 || ''[[Sri Krishna Thulabaram]]<ref name=anandan>{{cite book|url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1948-cinedetails9.asp|title=Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru|publisher=Sivakami Publishers|author=Film News Anandan|author-link=Film News Anandan|date= 23 October 2004|location=Chennai|language=Tamil|trans-title=History of Landmark Tamil Films}}</ref>'' || Tamil || T. Balaji Singh || Santhanam Pictures ||
|-
| 1948 || ''[[List of Sri Lankan films of the 1940s#1948|Veradunu Kurumanama]]'' || Sinhala || Jyotish Sinha || Ceylon Theatres ||
|-
| 1949 || ''[[Amma (1949 film)|Amma]]'' || Sinhala || [[Sirisena Wimalaweera]] || Navajeewana Film ||
|-
| 1949 || ''[[Geetha Gandhi]]'' || Tamil || [[K. Subramanyam]] || Madras United Artists Corporation || [[Br Lakshmanan]]
|-
| 1952 || ''[[En Thangai (1952 film)|En Thangai]]''<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1952-cinedetails5.asp|title=Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru|publisher=Sivakami Publishers|author=Film News Anandan|author-link=Film News Anandan|date= 23 October 2004|location=Chennai|language=Tamil|trans-title=History of Landmark Tamil Films}}</ref> || Tamil || [[Chitrapu Narayana Rao|Ch. Narayana Murthy]] || Ashoka Pictures ||
|-
| 1953 || ''Naa Chellelu'' || [[Telugu language|Telugu]] || [[Chitrapu Narayana Rao|Ch. Narayana Murthy]] || Ashoka Pictures ||
|-
| 1953 || ''[[Mamiyar]]<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1953-cinedetails28.asp|title=Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru|publisher=Sivakami Publishers|author=Film News Anandan|author-link=Film News Anandan|date= 23 October 2004|location=Chennai|language=Tamil|trans-title=History of Landmark Tamil Films}}</ref>'' || Tamil || K. Vembu || Sri Gajanana Productions ||
|-
| 1953 || ''[[Gumastha (1953 film)|Gumastha]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/gumastha-1953/article7800205.ece|work=[[The Hindu]]|title=Gumastha 1953|date=24 October 2015|access-date=1 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.is/20170122052750/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/gumastha-1953/article7800205.ece|archive-date=22 January 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>'' || Tamil || R. M. Krishnaswami || Aruna Films || [[G. Ramanathan]] & [[V. Nagaiah]]
|-
| 1953 || ''Kodarikam'' || Telugu || M. S. Subramaniyam || Sri Gajanana Productions ||
|-
| 1954 || ''[[En Magal]]<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1954-cinedetails5.asp|title=Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru|publisher=Sivakami Publishers|author=Film News Anandan|author-link=Film News Anandan|date= 23 October 2004|location=Chennai|language=Tamil|trans-title=History of Landmark Tamil Films}}</ref>'' || Tamil || K. V. R. Acharya<br>M. K. R. Nambiar || Asoka Pictures ||
|-
| 1954 || ''[[Pona Machaan Thirumbi Vandhan]]'' || Tamil || [[C. S. Rao]] || Mercury Films || [[M. S. Viswanathan]]
|-
| 1954 || ''[[Edhir Paradhathu]]'' || Tamil || [[Chitrapu Narayana Rao|Ch. Narayana Murthy]] || Saravanabava Pictures & Unity Pictures ||
|-
| 1955 || ''[[Bhakta Mallikarjuna]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chiloka.com/movie/bhakta-mallikarjuna-1955|title=Bhakta Mallikarjuna|publisher=chiloka.com|access-date=1 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810125530/http://chiloka.com/movie/bhakta-mallikarjuna-1955|archive-date=10 August 2016}}</ref> || [[Kannada language|Kannada]] || C. V. Raju || Jairaj Productions ||
|-
| 1955 || ''[[Menaka (1955 film)|Menaka]]'' || Tamil || V. C. Suburamman || Kasturi Films || [[Vedha (music director)|Vedha]]
|-
| 1956 || ''[[Kacha Devayani]]'' || Kannada || [[K. Subramanyam]] || Morak Pvt Limited || Meenakshi Subramanyam
|-
| 1956 || ''[[Moondru Pengal]]'' || Tamil || R. S. Prakash || Jayesri Lakshmi Pictures ||
|-
| 1956 || ''[[Vazhvile Oru Naal]]<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1956-cinedetails32.asp|title=Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru|publisher=Sivakami Publishers|author=Film News Anandan|author-link=Film News Anandan|date= 23 October 2004|location=Chennai|language=Tamil|trans-title=History of Landmark Tamil Films}}</ref>'' || Tamil || [[A. Kasilingam]] || Mercury Films || [[T. G. Lingappa]] & [[S. M. Subbaiah Naidu]]
|-
| 1956 || ''[[Verum Pechu Alla]]<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1956-cinedetails33.asp|title=Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru|publisher=Sivakami Publishers|author=Film News Anandan|author-link=Film News Anandan|date= 23 October 2004|location=Chennai|language=Tamil|trans-title=History of Landmark Tamil Films}}</ref>'' || Tamil || Joseph Pallippad || Principle Productions ||
|-
| 1957 || ''[[Pudhu Vazhvu]]<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1957-cinedetails13.asp|title=Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru|publisher=Sivakami Publishers|author=Film News Anandan|author-link=Film News Anandan|date= 23 October 2004|location=Chennai|language=Tamil|trans-title=History of Landmark Tamil Films}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indian-heritage.org/flmmusic/cnp.html|title=Music by CN Pandurangan|work=www.indian-heritage.org|access-date=1 February 2017}}</ref>'' || Tamil || [[M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar]] || Sarvodaya Pictures || [[G. Ramanathan]]
|-
| 1958 || ''[[Boologa Rambai]]<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1958-cinedetails25.asp|title=Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru|publisher=Sivakami Publishers|author=Film News Anandan|author-link=Film News Anandan|date= 23 October 2004|location=Chennai|language=Tamil|trans-title=History of Landmark Tamil Films}}</ref>'' || Tamil || [[D. Yoganand]] || Asoka Pictures ||
|-
| 1958 || ''[[Booloka Rambha]]'' || Telugu || [[D. Yoganand]] || Asoka Pictures ||
|-
| 1959 || ''[[Pandithevan]]<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/cineprofiles/1959-cinedetails35.asp|title=Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizh Thiraipada Varalaru|publisher=Sivakami Publishers|author=Film News Anandan|author-link=Film News Anandan|date= 23 October 2004|location=Chennai|language=Tamil|trans-title=History of Landmark Tamil Films}}</ref>'' || Tamil || [[K. Subramanyam]] || Morak Pvt Limited || Meenakshi Subramanyam
|-
| 1959 || ''Sihinaya '' || Sinhala || T. Janaki Ram || Jayanthi Producers ||
|-
| 1960 || ''[[Solaimalai Rani]]'' || Tamil || A. Rajaram || ||
|-
| 1962 || ''[[Devasundari]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chiloka.com/movie/devasundari-1962|title=Devasundari 1962|publisher=chiloka.com|access-date=1 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.is/20150119184310/http://chiloka.com/movie/devasundari-1962|archive-date=19 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>'' || Kannada|| C. V. Raju || ||
|-
| 1962 || ''Devasundari '' || Sinhala || C.V. Raju || Royal Studio ||
|-
| 1962 || ''[[Indira En Selvam]]'' || Tamil || C. Padmanaban || Ashoka Pictures || H. R. Padmanabha Sasthri
|-
| 1963 || ''[[Kubera Theevu]]'' || Tamil || G. Vishwanathan || Nithya Kalyani Films ||
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Sri Purandara Dasaru]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chiloka.com/movie/sri-purandara-dasaru-1967|title=Sri Purandara Dasaru|publisher=chiloka.com|access-date=1 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.is/20150121000850/http://chiloka.com/movie/sri-purandara-dasaru-1967|archive-date=21 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>'' || Kannada || C. V. Raju & R. Ramamurthy|| Sri Hamsa Chithra ||
|-
| 1968 || ''[[Sathiyam Thavaradhey]]'' || Tamil || Pondy Selvaraj || Ammal Films ||
|-
| 1972 || ''[[Thiruneelakandar]]'' || Tamil || C. P. Jambulingam || Vahini - Vasu ||
|-
| 1972 || ''[[Rahasiyapenn 117]]'' || Tamil || || ||
|-
| 1975 || ''[[Kadhavai Thattiya Mohini Paey]]'' || Tamil || Rajaram || Anuradha International Films ||
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Vetri Thirumagal]]'' || Tamil || H. V. Babu || Vivek Agencies ||
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Indian film score composers]]
[[Category:Tamil film score composers]]
[[Category:Telugu film score composers]]
[[Category:Indian male film score composers]]

C. N. Pandurangan - Revision history

>Ser Amantio di Nicolao at 06:22, 7 July 2021