Shaji (writer)

Shaji

Shaji also known as Shaji Chennai / Shaaji is an Indian Writer, Actor and Music / Movie / Media Critic. He is also an Audiophile, Vinyl Record Enthusiast and an Interior Designer. His writings on popular music are from the perspective of a discerning listener. His articles on music are the attempts to connect music with the incidents and emotions of human life. When he writes about a well-known composer, singer or musician, it opens many unknown faces of their music and lives. His writings are well appreciated by the connoisseurs of music as well as ordinary music listeners.

He writes in Tamil, English and Malayalam languages. His various articles have published by The Hindu, Times of India, India Today, AV Max, Ananda Vikatan, The Hindu Tamil, Uyirmmai, Kalachuvadu, Theeranadhi, Kaalam, Kumkumam, Puthiya Thalaimurai, Sunday Indian, Andhimazhai, Bhashaposhini, Chandrika Weekly, Kalakaumudi, Malayalam Vaarika, Mangalam Daily, Deepika Daily etc.

His articles in the series ‘Music Beyond Words’ were translated to Tamil by the modern Tamil writer Jeyamohan as ‘Sollil Adangaatha Isai'. Published in the prominent modern Tamil literary magazine Uyirmmai, this was one of the most popular columns in the recent Tamil serious literature. Another world famous Tamil writer S. Ramakrishnan too has translated many of Shaji’s articles to Tamil. After the first few years of these translations Shaji started writing directly in Tamil.

His first book in Tamil 'Sollil Adangaatha Isai’ (Music Beyond Words) sold thousands of copies and became an instant hit. His second Tamil book was ‘Isaiyin Thanimai’ (The Music of Solitude) and his third book in Tamil on music is ‘Isaiyin oLiyil’ (In the Light of Music) and his latest book in Tamil is Isai Thirai Vaazhkai. These books established Shaji as an inevitable and well-known writer in the Modern Tamil writing.

His column named ‘Paattinappuram” (Beyond the Song), published in the Malayalam weekly Chandrika stated that he is among the very few Malayalam writers on music with substance. Many of his Malayalam articles are published by the oldest and most prominent literary magazine of Malayalam, Bhasahaposhini. His first Book in Malayalam Paattalla Sangeetham released by the renowned publishing company of Kerala, Green Books.

Shaji was born near Kattappana, Idukki District, Kerala near the Tamil Nadu border. He has worked with leading Indian and International Music Companies in various capacities such as Artistes & Repertoire Manager, Recording Manager, Marketing Manager and Music Consultant for over twenty years.

He has been the Judge of Vijay TV Music Awards. He also has been the Judge of Sujatha Ilakkiya Viruthu, a Tamil literary award instituted in the name of the Tamil writer Sujatha.

Writer of hundreds of advertisement films and ad campaigns, Shaji working in the advertising industry for many years providing story lines, scripts, jingle lyrics and translations.

He is also the Trustee in South India for the Salil Chowdhury Foundation of Music, which is formed in the memory of Salil Chowdhury, the legendary composer of Indian popular music.

Shaji lives in Chennai, South India with wife Jessy and daughter Geeti Salila.

In September 2013 he acted in the highly acclaimed Tamil film Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum (A Wolf and a Lamb) directed by Mysskin, as the iconic character CBCID Lal. His acting prowess got high praise from the audience and critics alike.

He also acted in the Tamil film named Maan Karate and currently acting in some upcoming Tamil and Hindi films.

List of books

 Music Beyond Words
 The Music of Solitude
 In The Light of Music
 Music, Movies and Life
 Music is not Mere Songs

List of released Films as an Actor

List of Films as a Writer

References

External links