Nagore E. M. Hanifa

Nagore Esmail Mohammed Hanifa (25 December 1925 – 8 April 2015) was a Tamil Muslim lyricist, playback singer and politician. 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 Christians, even today sung by many singers on stages. He is considered one of the greatest and most influential singers of South India and beyond.

Early life
Esmail Mohammed Hanifa, born on 25 December 1925 in Vellipattinam, Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu. His father Mohammed Ismail Rowther was from Nagore and his mother was from Ramanathapuram. his maternal great grandfather Muthu Rowther was a Armory Custodian and Guardian of Kingdom of Ramnad.

Politics and cinema
Hanifa, who spent his early childhood in his mother’s hometown of Ramanathapuram, later went to work for his paternal uncle Abu Bakr Rowther in Tiruvarur. It was during this period, in his early teenage years, that he struck up a friendship with Muthuvel Karunanidhi, who was gaining a reputation for oratory even as a schoolboy 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.

During the 1970s, he was the member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Council, which is defunct now. He died on 8 April 2015, aged 89.