Mahesh Mahadevan was an Indian composer in the 1990s. Over the last decade of the 20th century, Mahesh composed more than 250 popular advertising jingles including the extremely popular Regaul Blue jingle. He also composed the music for six very successful multi-language motion pictures.[2][3]

Mahesh Mahadevan
Birth nameMahesh Sahasranam[1]
Born27 September 1955.
OriginTamil Nadu, India
Died29 October 2002 (aged 47)
Occupation(s)Film composer, music director

Early life

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Mahesh learnt classical guitar under Dhanraj at the age of eleven. During his college days, he was part of a band called The Versatiles. He then lost with music and went on to work as manager at Hindustan Polymers at Bombay (now Mumbai) and as deputy general manager in marketing at India Pistons at Madras (now Chennai). He returned to music in 1990 after he was affected by cancer and was going through a depressive phase. On the insistence of his wife and friends, he started writing ad jingles with Allwyn refrigerators being his first ad. It was the jingle for Regaul brand that made him hugely popular. He accepted to compose music for Nammavar before that he turned down nine films including Roja (1992).[1]

Personal life and death

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In the decade before his death, Mahesh was actively involved in cancer counselling and in motivating other cancer patients to approach treatment with a positive attitude.

He died in October 2002 due to cancer.[4]

Upon his death, The Mahesh Memorial Trust (MMT) was formed in 2002 by friends of Mahesh. MMT committed itself to building a paediatric Ward in the Cancer Institute premises at Adyar, Chennai. The required funds were raised with the help of friends and well wishers. The Trustees personally committed their time in overseeing the entire execution of the project from design through construction to completion.[4]

Career

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Besides composing music, he handled his business and creative interests. An MBA from XLRI, Jamshedpur, he was a Director of Finance and Administration at Real Image Media Technologies. Prior to this, he worked in various capacities as a Corporate Manager in companies including Chennai based India Pistons Prvt Ltd.[5]

Discography

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Year Film Language Notes
1994 Nammavar Tamil National Film Award – Special Mention
1995 Kuruthipunal Tamil
1997 Preminchukundam Raa Telugu
1998 Pelladi Choopistha Telugu
1998 Padutha Theeyaga Telugu
2001 Aalavandhan Tamil Only background score
2001 Abhay Hindi Only background score
2001 Moonnilonnu Malayalam
2004 Vaanam Vasappadum Tamil Mahesh's last film before his demise
2004 Kanavu Meippada Vendum Tamil Posthumous release

References

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  1. ^ a b Padmanabhan, Mukund (11 September 1994). "On a Song". Express Magazine. p. 10. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Mahesh Mahadevan: Movies, Photos, Videos, News, Biography & Birthday | eTimes". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Kollywood Music Director Mahesh Mahadevan Biography, News, Photos, Videos". nettv4u. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Tribute : Man who revived life with music : Mahesh Mahadevan". PatientsEngage. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  5. ^ Ranganayaki Kumar (2009). "Mahesh Memorial Pediatric Ward at Cancer Institute". chennai365.com. Archived from the original on 27 November 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
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