A Great Singer, Lover and Composer of Music Dr. Anand Chellappa, M.B.B.S, F.A.A.P.[U.S.A].

Introduction :Dr Christanand A Chellappa hails from  one of the most illustrious families  in South India. Even though he was born in Madurai, Tamilnadu , India , now he is a citizen of USA. He is a multifaceted personality , medical doctor , music composer ,  marvelous singer,  mind blowing  lyric writer, mesmerizing Accordinist  and a modest human being.   Through his Mother Mrs Mercy Sona Bai's side   he is connected with Kanyakumari district. 

His birth and Parents:  On 10th September, 1941, , in Madurai ,TamilNadu   a lovely beautiful male child was born to the  illustrious couple Dr. Ebenezer Sunderaj Chellappa and Mrs Mercy Sonabai Chellappa.  Dr Chellpa and his wife Mercy Sonabai christened their  new born son as, Christanand Arul Bharathy Chellappa. in a meaningful way . As Christ gave Anantham [happiness]  his parents put Christanand as the first name and Arul in remembrance of Mrs Arulammal Schaffter [Dr Anand Chellapa's maternal grandmother] and Bharathy, in remembrance of the the great Tamil Poet Bharathy.  However he is generally and popularly known as Dr Anand Chellappa by people throughout the world. 

Dr. Anand Chellappa's illustrious family back-ground: His father Dr.Ebenezer S.Chellappa was a famous Medical Doctor in Madurai and he served for many years as the Chief Medical Officer at the Mission [CSI ]Hospital at Madurai. And Dr Anand Chellappa's illustrious Uncle Dr. David Chellappa, M.A, D.D,  was the first Indian  Bishop of the newly formed CSI  Madras Diocese .Bishop David Chellappa  had passed away from this world in 1964. .[ It is pertinent to mention here that Bishop David Chellappa's Son Dr.Paul Chellappa , M.D, is a famous practicing general Psychiatrist in New York, U.S.A. ] Dr Christanand Chellappa's another uncle was Mr. George Chellappa and he was working in the Agriculture Department at Hydrabad in a senior level post. In this connection it is also better to remember Mr. AJ Schaffter and Mrs Arulamma Schaffter , the maternal grand parents of Dr Christanand Chellappa. Mr Schaffter was an ex-service man and he had  written a memorable book in English titled, "Reminiscences of My War Service in World War  1, [The great War of 1914].

Mr Schaffter and Mrs Arulamma Schaffter ::  Mr Schaffter hailed from one of the remarkable  Christian families of Kanyakumari district in South India . .Mr. A. Joseph Munshi of Nageracoil  married  Miss Marthal Fanny Paramanandam[ Mr.D. Paramanandam was the first Deacon of  the historical Nagercoil Home Church and this couple was blessed with the following children namely:[1] Jonadab, [2] J. T. Ambrose, [3] Robert [4] Joshua , [5] Lysa ,[6] A.J. Schaffter .[7] Packiam ,[8] Mathu, and [9] Suguna. Mr AJ Schaffter  married the beautiful Miss Arulammmal ,a daughter of Mr Zachariah writer  of Kanyakumari district..[ Mr JT Ambrose the brother of Mr AJ Schaffter married Mrs Lois Zakariah  the sister of Mrs Arulammal Schaffter].

Some High lights on the Musical background of Dr Anand Chellappa's family:  It is pertinent to mention  here that Mr JT Ambrose's grandson Mr Handel Manuel was honored by the Government of India with the prestigious Padma-Shree Award in 1984, in recognition of his genius in western music. Mr. Schaffter's cousin Mr. Chinnathambi Peter's  daughter Mrs Beatrice Amaladasan's Granddaughter Mrs. Sheila Arnald is considered as  one of the 10  greatest classical Pianists in the world today. She has played Piano in many of the greatest Concert  halls in Europe and US. She has participated in many international Competitions and won  and she has also won the  prestigious Wiesbaden Mozarat Society's Mozarat Prize .

Miss Mercy Sonabai Schaffter  :Mr A.J Schaffter and his wife Mrs Arulammal Schaffter were blessed with a lovely daughter and they christened her as  Mercy Sonabai. and she  was so beautiful, modest and was well liked by everybody in the family and specially her parents loved her so much. She successfully completed her BA degree .


Miss Mercy Sonabai Schaffter married Dr Chellappa of Maduai,.  Mercy Sonabai married Dr Chellappa of Madurai and settled  with her husband in Madurai.  .Dr Chellappa and his wife Mercy Sonabai were  blessed with five smart and lovely children namely: [1] Dr. Mrs Sathiavathy   ,[2] Dr. Christanand A Chellappa, [3]Mrs Punithavathy ,[4]Mr. Mithran, and [5] Mr. Chithran.

Dr Christanand A Chellappa's Education :  Dr. Christanad A Chellappa sucessfuly completed his MBBS Degree course in 1968, at the famous Christian Medical  College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu   Then he shifted to United States for his higher studies  in medicine and now he is an American Board certified  General Pediatrician with specialty in Neonatology and now he works as  a General Pediatrician and Neonatologist in United States.

Dr. Christanand A Chellappa's marriage and children: Dr Chistanand A Chellappa has married Miss. Vasanthy , [daughter of the famous Architect Mr. Pithavadian , from Chennai]. And Dr Christanand and his lovely wife Mrs. Vasanthi Chellappa  are blessed with  two smart sons namely: [1] Mr.Sangeeth [2] Mr.  Pavan .. Now Dr Anand Chellappa's family  resides at Morrisville , NC, U.S.

Dr Anand Chellappa as a Musician, Singer and Composer :Definitely we can say that music runs in the veins of Dr Anand Chellappa. . Music loves Dr. Anand and Dr Anand loves music .He is a born music lover and musician . Even while he was doing his MBBS at the famous Christian Medical College, at Vellore , TamilNadu , India, he had composed some lovely Christian Songs to cite a few we can say : [1] Athi Kaalaiyil Palanai Thedi,[2] Kaarirul Velai Kadungkulir Nerathhtil. ,and some other songs. He writes songs , composes music ,  he is a  versatile singer, is an instrumentalist ,  is a music conductor , and so on . His relative. Dr. Abideen Peter a relative of late Mr.Schaffter,  told me that even while Dr.Anand Chellappa was doing his MBBS in the CMC, Vellore, India, he was invited by the famous  Film Music Director  M.S. Visvanathan to play Accordion for  some of his Tamil Film songs composed by him, and accordingly  Dr. Anand Chellappa played accordion for some film songs like Thulluvatho Ezhamai and En Vazhum Vun Vizhiyum Chanthithal and a few other songs. .... [ Tamil Film Kudiruntha Koil ].Dr Anand Chellappa is a great fan of music. Nearly 20 Tamil  Christian songs he has written and composed music,and  to cite a few :[1] Athikllaiyi Paalanai thedi, [2] Karirul Valaiyil Kadungkulir Nerathil, [3]Yesuvin Namam, [4] Irul Sulntha Valvil , [5] Vulaham Tharatha Anbai,[6] Suthana Varuveer and so on.. Athi kaalaiyil Palanaithaedi song  is a  favorite household song in every Tamil  Christian home and in carol services , during Christmas time.


His musical  milestones and travel :      Amidst his heavy medical duties and activities,  he has been conducting musical concerts on invitations  throughout the world .He is an expert both in Tamil /Indian classical music and Western music . The  special original music score written and conducted  by Dr Anand Chellappa  at the World Bank Showcase Concert 2005, [Celebration of Cultures] , received the attention and appreciation of all.. In the same way the Tamil Christian songs  rendered in his own peculiar style by him at the concert held at St Peters Chaplaincy , Manchester U.K on 11th December ,2011 won the hearts of the music lovers globally..

Dr. Ananand A Chellppa  was honored :  In recognition of  Dr.Aanand A Chellappa's  extraordinary  life  long journey and  enviable  accomplishment , he was honored  with " Governor's Citation' on 10th September , 2011 on his 70th Birthday, by the Governor of Maryland State,U.S.

Conclusion : Dr. Anand Chellappa is one of the few who live by breathing music.. He is a lover of music , he is a fan of music , he is composer of music, he is a realistic and down to earth person . As a son , as a husband ,as a brother, as a doctor , as a friend, as a Christian , as a human he has imprinted indelible imprints in our minds and in human history.  Some weeks before when I received a personal mobile call from him,my joy knew bounds . I cherish his appreciation on my writings in my Blog . No doubt in some part of the world his songs are wafting in the air with serene musical fragrance while you read this profile of Dr Anand Chellappa.
Written By P. BABU MANOHARAN, M.A, [Rights reserved.  This Article will be altered , corrected and modified if need later].