James Vasant
Background information
Birth nameJames Vasanthan
BornTiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
Genres
Occupation(s)Composer, filmmaker, TV host, singer, lyricist, screen writer, motivational speaker
Instrument(s)Piano, guitar
Years active
  • 1995-present (TV Host)
  • 2008-present (Film Composer)
  • 2015-present (Filmmaker)
Labels
  • Bigdeal Music (own)
  • Miracle Entertainment (own)
Websitewww.jamesvasanthan.in

James Vasanthan is an Indian Television (Tamil) host, a film music composer, and a filmmaker and a motivational speaker. For more than two decades, he has worked as an anchor in popular Tamil satellite television channels like Sun TV and Vijay TV before debuting as a film music composer in the Tamil Film Industry in the year 2008, and a filmmaker in 2015.

Biography

James Vasanthan was born in Tiruchirapalli (Trichy), Tamil Nadu, India, to Brownie Sophia and George Theophilus, a police officer, who died in service, due to cancer. James was just 12 then. His mom used to tell him that her father Antony who was an engineer in the ropeway services in Anamalai Hills, Pollachi, erected and maintained by the Brits in the colonial times, was a meticulous person known for his discipline and strictness. James could see all of those traits in her. She was known to be a disciplinarian and perfectionist, excelling in every aspect of home-making. James owes every skill and craft that he possesses today, to her. Losing her when he was 21 was a turning point of his life.

He studied first at YWCA Primary School (Presently BHEL Matriculation Higher Secondary School) and later at Bishop Heber Higher Secondary School (Teppakulam) and then graduated in English literature from Bishop Heber College, Trichy, though his desire was to pursue a science degree. Being a single mother, she couldn't afford the high fee structure of a science course, which made him a literature student. Then he did his master's degree in English in Jamal Mohamed College.[1] Later, he educated himself in Carnatic music from Madras University. It was his mentor Dr Uma Maheswari (former principal of Government College of Music, Thiruvaiyaru) who advised him to do this course and paid all his fees and provided every course material and resource, being a scholar in the subject. He looks up to her gratefully for all that she did to him. He also holds diplomas in Pianoforte, Guitar and Theory of Music in Western music from Trinity College, London.[2]

After his studies he went to Kodaikanal and was working as the restaurant musician in Carlton Hotel, until he moved on to teach music in the residential school, St. Peter's School, Kodaikanal, formerly known as St. Peter's Public School. After a six-year stint as music teacher, he migrated to Madras to fulfill his long-term desire and dream of making as a film composer.[3]

Though music was his "first love",[4] he forayed into television as an anchor in SUN TV.[5][3]

He has composed music for Christian audio albums numbering around 400. He still continues to arrange music for many gospel productions. In 2008, he eventually entered the Chennai film industry as a music director by composing the songs and score for the Tamil film Subramaniyapuram, directed by M. Sasikumar, who was a student at St. Peter's Public School in Kodaikanal, where James Vasanthan went to teach music after his post-graduation.[6] This film 'Subramaniyapuram' which went on to become a blockbuster brought him into prominence with the film's songs and background score gaining fame and being praised.[7][8] and the song "Kangal Irandal" topping the charts and being cited as the "anthem of the year among the youth".[9]

Discography

As composer
Year Tamil Other Languages Notes
2008 Subramaniyapuram Ananthapuram 1980 (Telugu) Winner, Vijay Award for Best Find of the Year
Nominated, Filmfare Best Music Director Award (Tamil)
2009 Naanayam Padmavyuham (Telugu)
Pasanga
Kadhalar Kudiyiruppu Police Quarters (Kannada)
2010 Yaathumagi
Eesan Winner, Vijay music awards for Best Folk Song of the year.
2011 Doubles (Malayalam)
Marudhavelu
2012 Paagan
Puthagam
Koottam Dalam (Telugu)
2013 Nagaraja Cholan MA, MLA
Vizha
Azhagumagan
2014 Vasanthathinte Kanal Vazhikalil (Malayalam)
2015 Sandamarutham
Vaanavil Vaazhkai Writer, composer, director
2018 Pareeth Pandari (Malayalam)
2023 Ariyavan Composed only one song "Yaaraiyum Velgira"
TBA Oh! Andha Naatkal Writer, composer, director
Para Para Para
As lyricist
Year Songs Film Notes
2009 "Who's The Guy" Pasanga
2010 "Aasa Aasa" Naanayam
As singer
Year Song Film Notes
2013 "Viraivil Vidiyum" Nagarajan Cholan M. A. MLA

References

  1. ^ "Artist — James Vasanthan Is A Great Composer". Musicplug.in. 30 May 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  2. ^ "TV stars get musical". The Hindu. 11 June 2003. Archived from the original on 24 October 2003. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  3. ^ a b "திறக்கத்தான் கதவுகள்!" (PDF). Kalki (in Tamil). 2 February 2003. pp. 36–38. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Metro Plus Tiruchirapalli / People : On a different role". The Hindu. 16 February 2008. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  5. ^ "Interview with James Vasanthan". Chennai Online. 13 July 2003. Archived from the original on 4 April 2008. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  6. ^ "SUBRAMANIAPURAM DIRECTOR SASIKUMAR INTERVIEW". Behindwoods. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  7. ^ "Subramaniapuram Music Review songs lyrics". IndiaGlitz. 28 May 2008. Archived from the original on 19 February 2008. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  8. ^ "SUBRAMANIAPURAM MUSIC REVIEW". Behindwoods. 5 December 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  9. ^ "James Vasanthan's next". IndiaGlitz. 24 December 2008. Archived from the original on 25 December 2008. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
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