Introduction
Nagore Esmail Mohammed Hanifa (25 December 1925 - 8 April 2015) was a Tamil Muslim lyricist and playback singer. He was known as Isai Murasu for his deep stentorian voice.
His signature song was "Iraivanidam Kaiyendungal". It was written by Kiliyanur, (near Mayiladuthurai) R. Abdul Salam. The lyrics are beyond any specific religion. It is liked by not only Muslims but Hindus and ChristiansEven today sung by many singers on stages..
Politics and Cinema
Nagore Hanifa penned many devotional songs independently which are widely used in Tamil Nadu, during festivals and marriages. During the 1950s the songs which he sang for Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam boosted the fortunes of the party.. He was also a film playback singer. Iraivanidam Kaiyenthungal is very well known song from him among all the Tamils.
| Year | Film | Language | Song title | Music Director | Co-Singer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Sorgavasal | Tamil | Aagum Neriyedhu | Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy | K. R. Ramaswamy |
| 1955 | Gulebakavali | Tamil | Naayagamae Nabi Naayagamae | Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy | S. C. Krishnan |
| 1961 | Paava Mannippu | Tamil | Ellorum Kondaduvom | Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy | T. M. Soundararajan |
| 1992 | Chembaruthi | Tamil | Kadalilae Thanimaiyile | Ilaiyaraaja | Mano |
| 1993 | Dharma Seelan | Tamil | Engumulla Allah | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| 1997 | Raman Abdullah | Tamil | Un Madhama | Ilaiyaraaja | |
| 1999 | Endrendrum Kadhal | Tamil | Nadodi Nanba Pogaadhe | Manoj Bhatnagar | P. Unnikrishnan & K. S. Chithra |
| 2002 | Kamarasu | Tamil | Oru Murathaan Indha Vaazhkaiye | S. A. Rajkumar |
During the 1970s, he was the member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Council, which is defunct now. He died on 8 April 2015, aged 89.