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{{short description|Indian composer}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Ramesh Vinayakam
| image =
| image_size =
| birth_name = Ramesh Vinayakam
| alias = Ramesh Vinayagam
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1963|7|7}}
| birth_place =
| origin =
| instrument =
| genre = [[Filmi]], [[World music]], [[Carnatic music]]
| occupation = Composer, record producer, instrumentalist, arranger, singer, lyricist
| years_active = 1986–present
| label =
| website = https://www.rameshvin.com/
}}

'''Ramesh Vinayakam''' (born 7 July 1963) is an Indian composer, arranger, singer, songwriter, music producer, and a music researcher.

==Early life==
Ramesh Vinayakam was born Ramasubramaniam (aka Ramsubbu).<ref name="tekexplore1">{{cite web|url=http://tekexplore.info/Ramesh/about.php |title=Ramesh Vinayakam |publisher=Tekexplore.info |access-date=22 August 2012}}</ref> He went to [[A. M. Jain College]] and later graduated in commerce from the [[University of Madras]]. He learned [[Carnatic music]] from Rukmini Ramani and [[Western classical music]] from Jacob John, completed his studies at the [[Trinity College, London]] with a diploma.<ref name="tekexplore1"/> Ramesh is very popular for his musical, oratorical talents and has won many competitions in the school and college. He held Secretary-Fine Arts in his alma mater – A M Jain College, Meenambakkam, Chennai (erstwhile Madras). Though initially he was a singer in his younger days, he has taken to composing like fish to water as both his parents are singers/composers, it is in his genes. By the time he completed his college he had already composed many songs for various situations along with his poet-friend Narayanan. He had a brief stint as a manager in his father's friend's firm, and he understood that his real ambition is to become a music composer instead of working in an office, as he used to compose/write pieces of music.<ref name="hindu2003">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/07/02/stories/2003070200130100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031104162841/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/07/02/stories/2003070200130100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 November 2003 |title=In tune with change |date=2 July 2003 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=22 August 2012}}</ref> He decided to pursue his dream when he got a chance to meet [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], through a friend who introduced him to the legend.<ref name="hindu2003"/>

==Career==

===Composing===
In 1986, Ramesh Vinayakam's first album ''Prathidhvani'' was released.<ref name="hindu1">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/11/07/stories/2008110750391600.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110131252/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/11/07/stories/2008110750391600.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 November 2012 |title=Cinema Plus / Columns : My first break |date=7 November 2008 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=22 August 2012}}</ref> The album was a compilation of devotional songs on 10 deities, all sung by [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]].<ref name="hindu2005">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/03/04/stories/2005030400060200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231065505/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/03/04/stories/2005030400060200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 December 2012 |title=Entertainment Chennai / Music : Devotion and music go hand in hand |date=4 March 2005 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=22 August 2012}}</ref> Three years later, director [[T. S. B. K. Moulee|Moulee]] offered him a Telugu film, ''Paila Pacheesu'' and made him a music director.<ref name="hindu1"/> He worked with Moulee on two more films, ''Manchi Roju'' (1991) and ''Aunty'' (1995) starring [[Shobana]] and [[Jayasudha]], respectively.<ref name="hindu2003"/> Subsequently, he would again look for work and approach various producers and directors. Vinayakam recalls that "nothing happened" thereafter and calling it a "long and frustrating period".<ref name="hindu2003"/> In 2002, director [[Vasanth]] eventually signed him as one of the five composers for his next romantic musical ''[[Hey! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukke]]''. Ramesh Vinayakam's contribution to the ensemble soundtrack was the song "Thottu Thottu" that was also sung by him.<ref name="hindu2003"/> The same year he composed for the film ''University'' that was his first full-fledged project in Tamil.<ref name="hindu2003"/> ''[[The Hindu]]'' in its review wrote that the soundtrack album was "very strong on melody" and "definitely worth a listen".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/09/stories/2002090900070300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031019150807/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/09/stories/2002090900070300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 October 2003 |title=Chords & Notes |date=9 September 2002 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=22 August 2012}}</ref> Although the film was a [[box office bomb]], Vinayakam has said he was glad that ''[[University (film)|University]]'' had happened, since it fetched him his next project ''[[Nala Damayanthi (2003 film)|Nala Damayanthi]]'' (2003),<ref name="hindu2003"/> his most notable film till date. Written and produced by [[Kamal Haasan]], it featured [[R. Madhavan|Madhavan]] in the lead. For the film, he further made Haasan sing an English song in the [[country music|country genre]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/may/09kamal.htm |title=Kamal Haasan sings in English |publisher=Rediff.com |access-date=22 August 2012}}</ref> Vinayakam then composed the score and songs for [[Radha Mohan]]'s maiden feature film ''[[Azhagiya Theeye]]'' and ''[[Jerry (film)|Jerry]]'' written by [[Crazy Mohan]]. He received positive critical response for his work in ''Azhagiya Theeye'' in particular.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/azhagiya-theeye-review-tamil-13534425.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921224032/http://www.sify.com/movies/azhagiya-theeye-review-tamil-13534425.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 September 2013 |title=Movie Review:Azhagiya Theeye |publisher=[[Sify]] |access-date=22 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/08/06/stories/2004080602740300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040810091822/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/08/06/stories/2004080602740300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 August 2004 |title=Azhagiya Theeyae ... |date=6 August 2004 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=22 August 2012}}</ref>

Aside from film, Vinayakam has primarily worked on devotional music. He composed his first devotional song at age 12.<ref name="thehindu1">{{cite web|author=Chitra Swaminathan |url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/money-and-careers/article2101188.ece |title=Life & Style / Money & Careers : Music, out of the box |work=The Hindu|date=13 June 2011 |access-date=22 August 2012}}</ref> Since, he has worked on a number of devotional albums, including ''Shambo Mahadeva'', ''Krishna Janardhana'' and ''Sri Rama Dootam'' apart from ''Prathidhvani''.<ref name="hindu2005"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/02/06/stories/2009020650950200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211135253/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/02/06/stories/2009020650950200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 February 2009 |title=Friday Review Chennai / Music : Contemporary touch to devotion |date=6 February 2009 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=22 August 2012}}</ref> In 2011, he composed the theme song for "Nadha Vaibhavam", a grand musical event of [[Sri Sri Ravishankar]]'s Art of Living.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/news/jan2011/ramesh-vinayakams-nadha-vaibhavam.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826113824/http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/news/jan2011/ramesh-vinayakams-nadha-vaibhavam.asp |url-status=usurped |archive-date=26 August 2014 |title=Ramesh Vinayakam's Nadha Vaibhavam| Lakshman Sruthi – 100% Manual Orchestra | |publisher=[[Lakshman Sruthi]] |date=14 September 2007 |access-date=22 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Trichur V. Ramachandran |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/article1129988.ece |title=Arts / Music : Grand symphony |work=The Hindu|date=27 January 2011 |access-date=22 August 2012}}</ref> Vinayakam has also composed many [[jingle]]s and numerous title songs for television,<ref name="hindu2003"/> including all of Crazy Mohan's television series.<ref name="hindu1"/>

His upcoming projects include the English remake of ''[[A Wednesday]]'', titled ''[[A Common Man (film)|A Common Man]]'' directed by Sri Lankan filmmaker Chandran Rutnam and starring [[Ben Kingsley]],<ref>{{cite web|author=Anupama Subramanian DC |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/node/149349 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823204752/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/node/149349 |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 August 2014 |title=Ben Kingsley in Unnaipol... remake |work=Deccan Chronicle|date=15 August 2012 |access-date=22 August 2012}}</ref> as well as [[S. P. Charan]]'s next production.<ref name="thehindu1"/>

===Playback singing===
Ramesh Vinayakam is a notable singer, too. While he has sung songs in all his Tamil films, he has also sung playback for other composers. Under [[Harris Jayaraj]]'s direction, he had performed the song "Yaaridamum" from the film ''[[Thotti Jaya]]'' (2005). He has lent his voice for songs from the films ''Bhaiyaa'', the dubbed Telugu version of the film ''[[Malaikottai]]'', and the low budget flick ''Kadhal Valarthen'', which had music by singer [[Srinivas (singer)|Srinivas]]. In 2010, he sang the number "Sada Siva" from the Telugu film ''[[Khaleja]]'' for composer [[Mani Sharma]]. Although the film did not fare well, the song became popular and Vinayakam along with [[N. C. Karunya]], who co-sang the song, went on to win several accolades, including the [[Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Sarah Salvadore |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/I-like-playing-God-Ramesh-Vinayakambr-/-/articleshow/9527719.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103081601/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-08/news-interviews/29863482_1_ramesh-vinayakam-southern-film-industry-song |url-status=live |archive-date=3 January 2013 |title=I like playing God: Ramesh Vinayakam |date=8 August 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=22 August 2012}}</ref> In 2012, he sang the song "Stop The Pattu" from ''[[Moondru Per Moondru Kaadhal]]'' for composer [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]].<ref>{{cite web|author=M Suganth |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-06/news-interviews/33064244_1_yuvan-shankar-raja-mpmk-music-directors |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109175650/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-06/news-interviews/33064244_1_yuvan-shankar-raja-mpmk-music-directors |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 November 2013 |title=Yuvan goes for another composer! |date=6 August 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=1 May 2013}}</ref>

===Gamaka box===
Ramesh Vinayakam has been working for several years on a so-called "Gamaka box" or Gamaka Box Notation System (GBNS), a way to visually represent and [[musical notation|notate]] the [[Gamaka (music)|gamaka]], which is a type of ornamentation in [[Indian classical music]]. Notation of gamakams is generally not found in the Indian music system and Vinayakam's attempt was seen as a possible breakthrough and revolution in carnatic music.<ref name="thehindu1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Ramesh-Vinayakam-unlocks-the-gamaka/articleshow/8814474.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418201929/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-11/news-interviews/29646478_1_carnatic-music-gamaka-classical-music |url-status=live |archive-date=18 April 2012 |title=Ramesh Vinayakam unlocks the gamaka |date=11 June 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=22 August 2012}}</ref> He has obtained patent for the Gamaka box notation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gamaka box notational system |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2017125945A2/en |access-date=2024-06-25}}</ref>

===New ragas===
Over the course of his career, he has composed ten distinct [[raga]]s, each with its unique melodic structure and emotional expression. Among these ragas are Prathidwani, Madya Mohanam, and Dwi Niroshtra. He is working on creating a raga incorporates microtonal swarasthana, named "Sruti Ranjani".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramanujam |first=Srinivasa |date=2024-06-04 |title=What if Beethoven composed a Carnatic kriti? |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/what-if-beethoven-composed-a-carnatic-kriti/article68231932.ece |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=The Hindu}}</ref> He created a raaga named by him as ''Beethovanapriya''. The raga is based on [[Für Elise]] by [[Beethoven]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramesh Vinayakam |date=2024-05-07 |title=Experience the Enchanting Beethovanapriya by Ramesh Vinayakam and Be Spellbound! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA9SYMvtTi0 |access-date=2024-07-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramesh Vinayakam |date=2021-08-09 |title=Abhishek Raghuram – Thiruvarul – Rupakam -Raga Beethovanapriya – Invented by Ramesh Vinayakam |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEJn3FtVYLQ |access-date=2024-07-17}}</ref>

==Discography==
===As composer===
;Films
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"
! Year !! Film !! Language !! Notes
|-
| 1989 || ''Paila Pacheesu'' || Telugu ||
|-
| 1991 || ''Manchi Roju'' || Telugu ||
|-
| 1995 || ''[[Aunty (film)|Aunty]]'' || Telugu ||
|-
| 1999 || ''[[Speed Dancer]]'' || Telugu ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2002 || ''[[Yai Nee Romba Azhaga Irukke]]'' || Tamil || composed 1 song "Thottu Thottu"
|-
| ''[[University (film)|University]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 2003 || ''[[Nala Damayanthi (2003 film)|Nala Damayanthi]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 2004 || ''[[Azhagiya Theeye]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 2006 || ''[[Jerry (film)|Jerry]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 2012 || ''Sollakathai'' || Tamil || Soundtrack release, film unreleased
|-
| 2013 || ''[[A Common Man (film)|A Common Man]]'' || English ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2014 || ''[[Ramanujan (film)|Ramanujan]]'' || English/Tamil ||[[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director]]
|-
| ''[[Mosakutty]]'' || Tamil ||
|}
;Television
*''Simran Thirai'' (Jaya TV)
*''[[Vidathu Sirippu|Crazy-in Vidathu Sirippu]]'' (Jaya TV)
*''[[Roja Kootam (TV series)|Rojakoottam]]'' (Vijay TV)

===As playback singer===
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"
! Year !! Films !! Song !! Composer !! Notes
|-
|2002 ||''Hey! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukke'' ||Thottu Thottu Sellum || Himself ||
|-
|2003 ||''Nala Damayanthi'' ||Enna Idhu || Himself ||
|-
|2004 ||''Azhagiya Theeye'' ||Vizhigalin Aruginil,<br>Sandhana Poongatre || Himself ||
|-
|2005 ||''[[Thotti Jaya]]'' ||Yaaradimum Thondravillai || [[Harris Jayaraj]] ||
|-
|2006 ||''Jerry'' ||Naan Pudicha Muyalukku || Himself ||
|-
|2010 ||''[[Khaleja]]'' (Telugu) ||Sadasiva || [[Mani Sharma]] ||also sang the Tamil version; [[Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu]]
|-
|2012 ||''[[Moondru Per Moondru Kadhal]]'' ||Stop The Paattu || [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]] ||
|-
|2012 ||''[[Saattai]]'' ||Jada Jada Jaada || [[D. Imman]] ||
|-
|2013 ||''[[Endrendrum Punnagai]]'' ||Ennatha Solla ||Harris Jayaraj || Co-singers: Karthik, Haricharan, Velmurugan
|-
|2014 ||''[[Ramanujan (film)|Ramanujan]]'' ||Thuli Thuliyay || Himself ||
|-
|2014 ||''[[Dikkulu Choodaku Ramayya]]'' (Telugu) ||Andari Rathalu ||[[M. M. Keeravani]]||
|}

===Devotional albums===
* ''Prathidhvani'' (1986)
* ''Sambo Mahadeva'' (1990)
* ''Krishna Janardhana'' (1993)
* ''Aha Oho Ayyappa'' (1996)
* ''Vetrivel Sivasakthivel'' (2002)
* ''Moksha Mantra of Lord Shiva'' (2005)
* ''SriRama Dootam'' (2009)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|id=1421776|name=Ramesh Vinayakam}}
*Ramesh Vinayakam official Facebook page [https://www.facebook.com/TheRameshVinayakam Ramesh Vinayakam]
*X [https://x.com/RameshVinayakam Ramesh Vinayakam]

{{Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu}}{{TamilNaduStateAwardForBestMusicDirector}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vinayakam, Ramesh}}
[[Category:21st-century Indian classical composers]]
[[Category:Indian male playback singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male classical singers]]
[[Category:Tamil-language playback singers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Musicians from Chennai]]
[[Category:Tamil film score composers]]
[[Category:Telugu film score composers]]
[[Category:Telugu-language playback singers]]
[[Category:Carnatic composers]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards South winners]]
[[Category:1963 births]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners]]
[[Category:Indian male film score composers]]

Ramesh Vinayakam - Revision history

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