Delhi Ganesh

Indian actor (1944–2024) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ganesan Mahadevan (1 August 1944 – 9 November 2024), known by his stage name Delhi Ganesh, was an Indian actor who mostly acted in supporting roles in Tamil cinema and serials. He was well known for the versatility of roles he played during his illustrious career.[1] He acted in more than 400 films. He was given the stage name Delhi Ganesh by K. Balachander.[2] He was introduced to Tamil film industry by K. Balachander through the film Pattina Pravesam (1976).

Quick Facts Kalaimamani, Personal details ...
Delhi Ganesh
Personal details
Born
Ganesan Mahadevan

(1944-08-01)1 August 1944
Keezhapavur,
Tinnevely District,
Madras Province,
British India
(now in Tenkasi district,
Tamil Nadu, India)
Died9 November 2024(2024-11-09) (aged 80)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
SpouseThangam Ganesh
Children3
ProfessionIAF Corporal (Retired),
Actor (1976-2024)
Military service
Allegiance India
Branch/service Indian Air Force
Years of service1964–1974
Rank Corporal
Battles/wars
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Early life

He was born as Ganesan on 1 August 1944 in Keezhapavur, a town in present-day Tenkasi district of Tamil Nadu.[3][4] The town was the native place of his mother Pichu. However, Ganesan's early education was in Vallanadu (in present-day Thoothukudi district), the native place of his father Mahadevan, a school teacher.[5] He had an elder sister and a younger brother.[4]

Career

Summarize
Perspective

After completing SSLC, Ganesan went to Madurai and worked in TVS Motor Company. Then, he was recruited by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and served from 1964 to 1974. During this time, he went on to become a Corporal, and was deputed as an auxiliary personnel in Jammu and Kashmir during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani wars. During this period, he acted in plays staged by the Delhi-based theatre troupe, Dakshina Bharata Nataka Sabha.[6][7][8][5]

After quitting the IAF, he joined Kathadi Ramamurthi’s troupe. During his stint there, he received breakthrough for portraying the role of Kuselar in the play Dowry Kalyana Vaibhogame.[9] Ganesh's performance as Kuselar eventually caught the attention of director K. Balachander, who eventually cast Ganesh in his directorial venture Pattina Pravesam and Ganesh flourished in the role under the watchful eyes of Balachander.[9] He also had a short stint working as a stenographer in the Food Corporation of India in Chennai.[9][10]

Ganesh played the lead role in the 1981 film Engamma Maharani. He was best known for his recurring collaborations with Kamal Haasan including Nayakan (1987), Apoorva Sagodharagal (1989), Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990), Avvai Shanmugi (1996) and Thenali (2001). He played as an ideal foil to Kamal Haasan in most of his films by emotionally connecting with the audience through his mannerism, screen presence, body language, and effective use of words in dialogue delivery.[11] The on-screen chemistry between Ganesh and Kamal Haasan during their collaborations had been widely appreciated by critics due to their ability to elevate the crunch moments in films with their natural acting abilities by incorporating the situation aptly.[11]

In Mani Ratnam's directorial, Nayakan (1987), he brought the range of acting skills to a different dimension where he featured as a Brahmin Iyer and played the right hand of Velu Nayakkar by serving as Velu Nayakkar's ardent follower and as a loyal sidekick, following Velu Nayakkar's footsteps with an attitude of gratitude, showing strong admiration towards Velu Nayakkar's conduct, even at the lowest ebb of Velu Nayakkar's life when his daughter left him due to his stance on honesty, a policy that even took the life of his elder son.[12] His screen presence was given paramount importance in Nayakan as his role was designed in a way to support Velu Nayakkar's transition from a slum dweller to an underworld don.[13] He reprised his role of helping a smuggler's transition to an underworld gangster from Nayakan in Gautham Vasudev Menon's directorial venture Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu (2022), making a cameo appearance.[14] His most popular roles were as a supporting actor or a comedian, but he also played villainous roles in films such as Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989).[15] His menacing villainous role in Apoorva Sagodharargal as Francis Anbarasu became talk of the town indicating the versatility in Delhi Ganesh's range of acting skills. Appu eventually used a Rube Goldberg Machine to kill Francis Anbarasu in Apoorva Sagodharargal and the sequence became widely popular upon the release of Apoorva Sagodharargal, which was later parodied in C. S. Amudhan's directorial venture Thamizh Padam (2010), with Delhi Ganesh himself went onto reprise his role.[16]

In Singeetam Srinivasa Rao's directorial, Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990), he played the character of a Palakkad-based cook and his humorous role received acclaim while his dialogue delivery with a Malayalam accent mixing with Tamil was also applauded.[16] Dehi Ganesh gave credit to Crazy Mohan for writing the screenplay, which fetched the former's role an equal importance similar to the roles allocated to other cast members in Michael Madana Kama Rajan.[16] In K. S. Ravikumar's directorial, Avvai Shanmugi (1996), he played the role of Sethurama Iyer, where he was also seen as Gemini Ganesan's secretary. He also had separate combination scenes with notable screen time and screen presence featuring alongside ensemble cast of including Kamal Haasan, Meena, Gemini Ganesan, Nassar, Nagesh and Manivannan in Avvai Shanmugi.[16]

He won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for his performance in Pasi (1979). He also received various state awards like Kalaimamani (1994) given by the then Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.[17] His other notable films included Sindhu Bhairavi (1985), Sri Raghavendrar (1985), Chatriyan (1990), Iruvar (1997), Aahaa..! (1997), Priyamaanavale (2000), Saamy (2003) and Kaavalan (2011).[18] In K. Balachander's directorial, Sindhu Bhairavi (1985), he played the role as Gurumoorthy, a mridangam player. His performance as a mridangam player gained spotlight and his acting skills showing his emotional depth to elevate the circumstances of having been left out by mridangam band for his addiction to alcoholic consumption was also acclaimed by critics.[19][13]

Ganesh was roped in as a cast member on the recommendation of Vijay for the film Thamizhan (2002) as the filmmakers and production crew were awaiting for a replacement to shoot a comedy track sequence.[20] The on-screen pairing of Vijay and Delhi Ganesh gave the film Thamizhan a huge boost and their chemistry worked out in the comedy sequences. Ganesh's phrases "Cigaretta Niruthu, Enakku Discipline Thaan Mukkiyam" during his verbal arguments with Vijay in the comedy track sequences of Thamizhan became viral among fans.[21]

It was revealed that he stopped acting in negative villainous roles after receiving harsh criticism from family audience for his negative role in television soap opera Chellamay which had Radhika Sarathkumar playing the main female lead.[22] He also took notes from Cho Ramaswamy's article which published about why Delhi Ganesh was interested in taking up shady negative roles. He changed his mind and accepted negative role in Payasam which was a part of the anthology series Navarasa where he played the role of an envious old man being dejected with life experiences.[23]

He also made an appearance in the short film What if Batman was from Chennai as a version of Alfred Pennyworth.[24][25] In 2016, he had a brief role as the man who lodges complaint about his missing son, only later to find out that his son is dead in Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru under Karthick Naren's direction alongside Rahman.[26] In 2015, he launched his first production venture, Ennul Aayiram (2016) which starred his son Maha in the leading role.[27][28]

In 2021, Delhi Ganesh in an exclusive interview with The New Indian Express, insisted that he received acclaim and fame due to his frequent collaborations with Kamal Haasan.[22] Ganesh was convinced by Kamal Haasan to play a fully fledged comic role, and as a result, Ganesh, based on Kamal's advice, performed as a comedian in Avvai Shanmugi.[9]

In December 2023, he was conferred with the Gowri Manohari Award for his contributions to theatre and was honored at the 36th Winter Music Festival hosted by Sruthilaya Kendra, a trust founded by mridangam artist Karaikudi Mani.[29] Delhi Ganesh also appeared in television soap operas and short films. His final appearance was in Indian 2 (2024).[30][31]

Death

Ganesh died in Chennai on 9 November 2024, at the age of 80.[32][33][34]

Filmography

Tamil-language films

More information Year, Title ...
List of Tamil-language film credits
Year Title Role Ref.
1976 Pattina Pravesam [35]
1978 Kudisai Parthasarathy [36][37]
Oru Veedu Oru Ulagam [38]
1979 Velli Ratham [37]
Aadu Pambe [39]
Adisaya Raagam [40]
Urangatha Kangal [41]
Pasi Muniyandi [13]
1980 Polladhavan Moorthy [37]
1981 Engamma Maharani [13]
Rajangam [37]
Anbulla Athan [39][42]
Andru Muthal Indru Varai
Pattam Padhavi [39]
Raja Paarvai Nancy's brother [37]
1982 Simla Special Sundaram [39]
Puthukavithai Ganesh
Iniyavale Vaa
Nijangal [39]
Enkeyo Ketta Kural Vishwanathan
Moondru Mugam Seeni
Mul Illatha Roja [43]
Paritchaikku Neramaachu Psychiatrist [44]
Nadodi Raja [39]
1983 Sivappu Sooriyan Vishwanathan
Dowry Kalyanam Kuselan [45]
Sandhippu Muthayya [46]
Anal Kaatru [39]
Surappuli
Naalu Perukku Nandri [47][48]
1984 Oorukku Upadesam Pulavar Ponnambalam [49]
Achamillai Achamillai Brahmanayagam [39]
Komberi Mookan [50]
Thenkoodu [39]
Hemavin Kathalargal [51]
1985 Paadum Vaanampadi Raja [39]
Navagraha Nayagi [52]
Kalyana Agathigal Ammulu's father [39]
Kadivalam
Ilam Kandru [39]
Samayapurathale Satchi
Anni
Sri Raghavendrar Appanacharya
Yaar? Manickam [37]
Ketti Melam
Sindhu Bhairavi Gurumoorthy [35]
Chidambara Rahasiyam Masilamani / Black cat [39]
1986 Adutha Veedu Ganesh
Mr. Bharath Ramkumar [39]
Samsaram Adhu Minsaram Vasantha's father [39]
Manithanin Marupakkam [39]
Puthir [39]
Sonnathu Neethaanaa
Dharma Devathai Paramasivan
Punnagai Mannan Sethu's father [39]
1987 Kadhal Parisu Inspector
Kizhakku Africavil Sheela Accountant
Poovizhi Vasalile Dr.Venkatram
Solvathellam Unmai Raghavan
Velundu Vinaiyillai
Kani Nilam
Paruva Ragam Shashi's father
Velaikkaran
Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu
Jallikattu
Manithan Marimuthu [39]
Nayakan Iyer [35]
Mupperum Deviyar
Ore Oru Gramathiley [39]
1988 Veedu Manaivi Makkal
Sathyaa Ramanathan
Makkal Aanaiyittal Perumal Samy
Penmani Aval Kanmani Kamala's husband
Ithuthan Arambam [39]
Paasa Paravaigal Public Prosecutor
Katha Nayagan Inspector of police
Thai Paasam [39]
Neruppu Nila
Mappillai Sir
Unnal Mudiyum Thambi Arasiyalvathi
Raththa Dhanam
Kalicharan DIG
Uzhaithu Vaazha Vendum Subbaiah
1989 Apoorva Sagodharargal Francis Anbarasu [35]
Siva
Rasathi Kalyanam [39]
Chinnappadass
Dharma Devan
Padicha Pulla [39]
Thaaya Thaarama
Sakalakala Sammandhi
Dharmam Vellum Robert
Meenakshi Thiruvilayadal
Thalaippu Seithigal
1990 Nalla Kaalam Porandaachu Uma's father
Arangetra Velai Police Officer [39]
En Veedu En Kanavar
Seetha Nakkeeran
Puriyaadha Pudhir ASP
Chatriyan Jaya's father [39]
Michael Madhana Kamarajan Palakkad Mani Iyer [35]
Pudhu Pudhu Ragangal
Uchi Veyil Sabhapathy
Thangaikku Oru Thalattu Arun [39]
Ethir Kaatru Sundaramoorthy
1991 Sigaram Sachidhanandam
Theechatti Govindan
Mookuthi Poomelay [39]
Idhaya Oonjal
Idhaya Vaasal
Vigneshwar Vidhyasagar
Archana IAS Dinesh's father
Vaidehi Kalyanam Chinnasamy
Nee Pathi Naan Pathi Ramasamy's wife
Nattukku Oru Nallavan Doctor
En Pottukku Sonthakkaran [39]
Rudhra DCP Sundararajan [18]
Jaitra Yatra
Annan Kattiya Vazhi [39]
1992 Periya Gounder Ponnu Periya Saamy [39]
Sivantha Malar
Oor Mariyadhai Veerapandi's uncle
Mappillai Vandhachu
Chinna Marumagal
Amma Vanthachu Nandini's father
Yermunai
Kalikaalam
Pattathu Raani Ganesan
Pangali
Pandian Public Prosecutor
Thirumathi Palanisamy Palanisamy's father [39]
Meera
1993 Jathi Malli Vaidyanathan [39]
Aadhityan Vedachellam
En Idhaya Rani
Muthu Pandi
1994 Sethupathi IPS Kesavan
Aranmanai Kaavalan Police inspector [39]
Vandicholai Chinnarasu Rathnasamy
Vaa Magale Vaa Mahadeva Iyer
Priyanka Krishnan
Watchman Vadivel [39]
Ungal Anbu Thangachi
Muthal Payanam
Pattukottai Periyappa Pitchumani's father
Nammavar Muthukumaraswamy Pillai
Gamanam Keshavan Nair
Pudhiya Mannargal Vidhya's father [39]
1995 Veluchamy Maruthu [39]
Mudhal Udhayam
Aanazhagan
Kizhakku Malai
Chinna Vathiyar Aravind's father
Avatharam Paandi
Witness Doctor
Aval Potta Kolam
Kolangal Raghunatha Sethupathi
Dear Son Maruthu Veeraiah
1996 Kizhakku Mugam
Vaazhga Jananayagam
Sengottai Neelakanda
Vetri Vinayagar Prohit
Avvai Shanmughi Sethurama Iyer [18]
Mr. Romeo Madras [39]
1997 Iruvar Nambi
Dharma Chakkaram Vijayalakshmi's father
Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen Manimegalai's father [39]
Aravindhan
My India
Pagaivan Prabhu's father
Raman Abdullah
Porkkaalam Subbaiya
Aahaa..! AGS.Ganesan [39]
1998 Moovendhar Vaidehi's father
Ponmanam Poornima's father
Kondattam Raja's servant
Thulli Thirintha Kaalam Dhamu's father
Kadhala Kadhala Landlord [39]
Harichandra Harichandra's father
En Aasai Rasave
Pudhumai Pithan Viswanath
1999 Thodarum S. Vinayagam [39]
Nilave Mugam Kaattu Kasthuri's father
Sangamam Abhirami's uncle
Kanave Kalaiyadhe Saradha's father
Poovellam Kettuppar Ramanathan [39]
Anbulla Kadhalukku Shanti
Iraniyan Ponni's father
Manam Virumbuthe Unnai [39]
2000 Hey Ram Chari
Sabhash Shanti's father
Unnai Kann Theduthey
Thenali Panchabhootham [35]
Priyamaanavale Marudhu [39]
2001 Sri Raja Rajeshwari Rajeswari's father
Krishna Krishna
Lovely Mahadevan's father
Aanandham Gangadharan [39]
Mitta Miraasu
Thavasi Kanakku Pillai
Azhagana Naatkal Somasundaram
2002 Unnai Ninaithu Surya's Lodge owner
Kamarasu Advocate [39]
Thamizhan Advocate Lakshmi Narayanan
Thamizh Meenakshi's father
Junior Senior [39]
Pesadha Kannum Pesume
Baba Perusu
Naina Sambu
Sundhara Travels Krishnan Pillai
Maaran Ganesan [39]
2003 Ramachandra Ramachandran's father
Julie Ganapathy Inspector Ganesh
Kadhal Sadugudu
Dum Chokkalingam
Arasu Venu Shastri [39]
Saamy Srinivasan Iyengar
Vani Mahal
Nala Damayanthi Ramji's uncle [39]
Aalukkoru Aasai Eshwari's father
Jay Jay Jagan's father
2004 Udhaya Lawyer
Aethiree Nataraja Iyer [39]
Jana Saminathan
Azhagesan Govinda
Arasatchi Sivaraman
Vishwa Thulasi Pattabhi
2005 London Ganeshan [39]
Amudhey Dinakar's father
Neeye Nijam Priya's grandfather
Kalaiyatha Ninaivugal
Aanai [39]
Manthiran House owner
Aaru Poongavanam
2006 Chithiram Pesuthadi Prakash
Kovai Brothers Kesavan [39]
Mercury Pookkal
Suyetchai MLA
Thalai Nagaram Corrupt Minister [39]
2007 Pori Pooja's father
Muni Priya's father [39]
Sabari Sabarivasan's father
Maamadurai
Cheena Thaana 001 Head Constable Ezhumalai
2008 Arai En 305-il Kadavul Krishnamoorthy
Poi Solla Porom Principal [39]
Thenavattu Gayatri's father
2009 Ayan Narcotics Officer
Naal Natchathiram Advocate
Maasilamani Thalisdar Ramanathan [39]
Unnai Kann Theduthe Shiva Sankaran
Vaamanan Minister Viduthalai
Pudhiya Payanam Doctor Ramana
Vettaikaran Ravi's father [39]
2010 Tamil Padam "Heroin" Kumar
Kutti Pisasu Priya's grandpa
Irumbukkottai Murattu Singam Paandu Paramu
Kola Kolaya Mundhirika Ganesan
Pournami Nagam Priest [39]
Drogam: Nadanthathu Enna?
Ambasamudram Ambani Dhandapani's first house owner [39]
2011 Kaavalan Bhoomi's maternal uncle
Ilaignan Karky's uncle [39]
Ponnar Sankar
Bhavani Bhavani's father
Sabash Sariyana Potti Dass
Unakkaga En Kadhal Seenu [39]
Kasethan Kadavulada
Aayiram Vilakku
GurusamyGurusamy a.k.a. Ayyappan
2012 Saguni Lawyer
Kadhalar Kadhai
Sri Ramakrishna Darshanam
Thaandavam Meenakshi's father
Pudhumugangal Thevai
2013 Puthagam Bank officer
Naanum En Jamunavum
Thirumathi Thamizh
Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru Bombay Ganesan
Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga Chidambaram
Naan Rajavaga Pogiren Kamaraj's assistant
Sibi
Thuttu
Kadhai Kelu
Kamban Kazhagam
Ragalaipuram Constable Pandian
Kalyana Samayal Saadham Chandrasekaran
2014 Oru Kanniyum Moonu Kalavaanikalum
Jigarthanda Subramani
Ramanujan
Hogenakkal
Poriyaalan College Principal
13 Am Pakkam Parkka
2015 Killadi Dharani's father
Sandamarutham Surya's father
36 Vayadhinile Vasanthi's father-in-law
Papanasam Vijayakumar
Viraivil Isai tea stall owner
Apoorva Mahaan
Kopperundevi
Pasanga 2
2016 Angali Pangali
Chandi Kuthirai
Mudinja Ivana Pudi Orphanage Owner
Nambiar Saroja Devi's father
Merku Mogappair Kanaka Durga
Thirumaal Perumai
Virumandikum Sivanandikum
Manal Kayiru 2 Doctor
Ner Mugam
Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru Sriram
Oru Tharam Udhayamagirathu
2017 Appa Lock (Short)
Azhagana En Charupriya
Oru Mugathirai
Kaatru Veliyidai Col. Mithran
Vilayada Vaa
Mangalapuram
Inayathalam Panjabikesan
Yevanavan
Yaar Ivan
Mecheri Vana Bhadrakali
12-12-1950
2018 Irumbu Thirai Rangarajan
The Boy (Short)
Enna Thavam Seitheno
Brahmaputra
Junga Sukumar
Ghajinikanth Rajini's grandfather
Oh Kaadhalaney
Saamy 2 Srinivasan
2019 Goko Mako Delhi Ganesh
Agni Devi Constable
Kanchana 3 Raghava's grandfather
Perazhagi ISO
Vedhamanavan
Nerkonda Paarvai Krishnan
2020 En Sangathu Aala Adichavan Evanada
Indha Nilai Maarum Justice Narayanan
Mamanukku Mariyathai (Short)
Konala Irunthalum Ennodadhu
2021 Calls Karunakaran
Appathava Aattaya Pottutanga Suthanthiram
2022 Enna Solla Pogirai Preethi's grandfather
Narai Ezhuthum Suyasaritham
Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu Iyer
2023 Jambu Maharishi
Unnaal Ennaal
Echo
Vaan Moondru Sivan
Karumegangal Kalaigindrana Badri
Shot Boot Three
2024 Rathnam Neelakandan
Aranmanai 4 Zamindar [37]
Indian 2 Krishna Mohan [35]
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Malayalam-language films

More information Year, Title ...
List of Malayalam-language film credits
Year Title Role Ref.
1993 Dhruvam Ramayyan
Devaasuram Panicker
1994 The City Commissioner Muthulingam IPS
1996 Kaalapani Pandiyan [39]
2005 Kochi Rajavu Madhavan
2006 Keerthi Chakra Jai's father
2010 Pokkiri Raja Velu [39]
2014 Peruchazhi Tamil Nadu delegate
2015 Lavender Isha's grandfather
2019 Manoharam Ali Bhai
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Other language films

More information Year, Title ...
List of other language film credits
Year Title Role Language Ref.
1991 Jaitra Yatra Telugu
1997 Ratra Yatra
2005 Dus Suryakant Raidu Hindi
2006 Naayudamma Telugu [18]
2009 Punnami Naagu Priest
Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani Temple priest Hindi
2011 Help (short) Airport security officer English [53]
2013 Chennai Express Villager Hindi [18]
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Dubbing artist

Television

Serials

More information Year, Serial ...
List of television serials credits
Year Serial Role Channel Citations
Ippadikku Thendral [39]
Manithargal
Velai
Dinesh Ganesh [39]
1990 Kottaipurathu VeeduDoordarshan
1996–1997RagasiyamDr K.R. and psychologistSun TV
1998Chellammaalso director
1999–2000Sorna ReghaiChakravarthy and astrologer
2000Costly Mapillai
Micro Thodargal-Plastic VizhuthugalRaj TV
2002–2003NambikkaiSun TV
Janani
Veettuku Veedu LoottyJaya TV [39]
2002–2004MugangalSun TV
2002–2003Sigaram
2003–2005Sorgam
2003Kumkumam
2004–2006Manaivi
KalkiJaya TV
2006PennKasiSun TV
2006–2007Vaadagai VeeduKalaignar TV
2006–2012KasthuriSun TV
2007–2008PallankuzhiDoordarshan [39]
Porantha Veeda Pugantha VeedaSun TV
2007–2009Vasantham
2008ThirupaavaiDesikachari
2008–2009DeepangalKalaignar TV
2009–2012ChellamayThavasiSun TV
2009–2010Enge BrahmananJaya TV [39]
2010–2011En Peyar MeenakshiVijay TV
2012Aaha
2013–2014Then NilavuRajasekarSun TV
2013–2015Devathai [18]
Sondha Bandham
2014Bhairavi Aavigalukku Priyamanaval
2018–2019Lakshmi StoresRajendranSun TV
Gemini TV
[18]
2021ThalattuGanapathy GurukkalSun TV
2022–2023MaariNeelakandanZee Tamil
IlakkiyaSun TV
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Web series

More information Year, Program Name ...
List of television web series credits
Year Program Name Network
2018America MappillaiZEE5
2021NavarasaNetflix
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Dubbing artist

More information Year, Title ...
List of television dubbing credits
Year Title Actor Network
1987Malgudi DaysGirish KarnadDoordarshan
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References

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