Legendary Tamil screenwriter Aroor Dass passes away

Legendary screenwriter Aroor  Dass,  passed away on Sunday, (November 20) at 6.40 pm at his residence in TNagar, Chennai at the age of 91.   His career spanned close to sixty years from 1955 to 2014 with his last film being Vadivelu’s historical comedy ‘Tenaliraman’.   

He has written dialogues for films starring legends of Tamil cinema including Sivaji Ganesan, MGR, Gemini Ganesan, Ravichandran, Jaishankar, Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth and Vadivelu.  He is best remembered for writing the evergreen brother sister bonding film ‘Pasamalar’ starring Sivaji Ganesan and Savithri.

Born in Tiruvarur district, as Yesudas, Aroor Dass has contributed to the story, screenplay and dialogues of around 1000 films a record that can never be surpassed in the future.  Family sources have stated that the last rites will be held after 12 noon on November 21, Monday.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has paid rich tribute “I am deeply saddened to learn that the great storyteller Aroor Dass, who was born in Thiruvarur and left a unique mark in the film industry by writing stories, screenplays and dialogues for thousands of films, has passed away due to old age. Deepest condolences on his demise.

He wrote screenplay dialogues for most of the films of Makkal Thilagam MGR and Nadigar Thilakam Sivaji Ganesan, and he has a permanent place in the hearts of the people for his dialogues in the timeless movie “Pasamalar”. 

I had the pleasure visiting his house and presenting the Kalaigniar Memorial Kalaithurai Vithakar Award to the outstanding lifetime achievement in the Tamil film industry on 3rd June this year.

Although he ruled the film industry through his dialogues, he is no longer with us, but his artistic works will remain forever in the Tamil film industry and in the hearts of those who enjoyed watching the films. I express my deepest condolences to the family, art world and fans of  Aroor Dass,”.