Thuguluva Meenakshi Iyengar Soundararajan, the iconic playback singer of Tamil Cinema popularly
known by the initials, the three letters – T M S , is no more. The voice that shaped Tamil Cinema, who
was 91, passed away on 25
away, the Buddha Purnima day of 2013, Saturday, 25
of TMS and left to the eternal world of heavenly music. And it was the Vaishakh Pournami too for the
Hindus, an auspicious day for the Hindus, especially for the Vaishnavites. An ardent devotee of the
Varadaraja Perumal of Madurai, TMS bid goodbye to this mortal world on an auspicious day, leaving
the immortal melodies sung by him as his footsteps in the path of South Indian film music. The voice
that emerged as the voice of Tamil language and people, Kannadasan’s poems and the passionate voice
that absorbed in its singing the Navarasas, quite impressing way left us for ever ! A look back into the
life and career of the versatile artist – playback singer, actor and producer.
T M Soundararajan is considered as the first Super Playback singer in Tamil cinema. TMS, entered
the Tamil cinema when the playback singing was at its infant stage in the South Indian cinema. The
other playback singers active in Tamil then were, A M Raja, Tiruchi Lokanathan, C S Jayaraman, M M
Mariappa and V J Varma. Ghantasala was more popular and active in Telugu than in Tamil. TMS belong
to the Saurashtra Brahmin community, a clan of which migrated and settled in Madurai which fled from
the region of Kathiawar, Bhavnagar, Somnath etc during the invasion by Mohammed Ghazni in the 11th
century.
Born to Meenakshi Ayyengar, the high priest of Varadaraja temple in Madurai on 24th March, 1923, -
Rishabha Lagna, Rishabha Rasi, Mrugaseersha Nakshathra (Makayiram – in Malayalam calendar) At
the time of his birth, One year “Chovva Dasha” balance period and the “Neecha Bhangam” on “Budha
Dasha” was the root cause for his bright career in the fine art of music, and more specifically in playback
singing in South Indian Cinema (TMS in an interview ). Meenakshi Iyengar named his son with the name
of the family deity “Kallazhagar” Sounderaraja Perumal. TMS studied upto SSLC. During that period
there was entrance examination for SSLC . TMS failed in the “selection test” for the SSLC examination
and there ended TMS’s academic education. Music within him prompted young TMS to go after music.
th
May, 2013 . The day on which Gautama Buddha was born and passed
th
May – the soul departed from the worldly fetter
TMS 's first music lessons started from his father who taught him Bhajans. TMS was very much fond of
films songs, and M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, V A Chellappa and P U Chinnappa, the singing stars of
early Tamil cinema were his matinee idols. TMS sang their songs in family get togethers and functions.
Meenakshi Iyengar could not afford to send his son for music lessons under established music teachers .
The urge to study music forced TMS to approach two gentlemen in Madurai – Kuppu Swami Iyer and
Babu Iyer who were associated with film producing companies like “Murugan Talkies “ and “Royal
Talkies”. Both of them were leaders of the Saurashtra Brahmin community. Two other rich men joined
hands for the “Sponsorship” to educate TMS in music. All the four sponsored Rs.15/- each to meet the
fees for TMS’s music lessons.
TMS studied music under Karaikkudi Rajamani Iyengar,, disciple of the legendary musician "Poochi"
Sreenivasa Iyengar. TMSs first public performance (Arangettram) was in 1946, at the Madurai Sathguru
Samajam .
TMS joined the Central Studios under the ownership of Royal Talkies , a prominent film production
company of that time at a monthly salary of Rs.50/ . There he got introduced to his matinee idols P U
Chinnappa, M K Thyagaraja bhagavathar etc. P U Chinnappa was very much impressed by the voice of
TMS, and recommended to the music director S M Subbiah Naidu for a chance in the films. TMS sang
his first song for the romantic hero of that time, who was also known for his mythological roles, Narasimha
Bharathi in the "Jupiter Pictures " mythological "Krishna Vijayam" (1950). The song "Radhey nee ennai
vittu odathedi..." in Chenjurutti Raga, was somewhat an adaptation of his favourite number sung by M
K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar for the film "Chintamani" (1937), "Radhey unakku kopam aakathedi..". The
actress who played the role of Radha in the scene was a Keralite – Trichur Premavathi who belonged
to Thrissur in Kerala. !! A lesser known artist from Kerala in Tamil films, today she is remembered for
this song sequence. All the 4 songs sung by TMS in his very first film under the music of S M Subbiah
Naidu became hits - “Naanam eno Anuradha,,…… “ (Raga – Sindhu Bhairavi) ), “Ullam Ellaam inpa
vellam….. “ ( Raga – Jonpuri), “Raja Raja Gopala….. “ ( Raga – Kaapi) All these songs were duets. Only
solo was the Chenjurutti Raga number – “Radhe Ennai Vittu Pokathedi… “ It was N C Vasanthakokilam,
the renowned Carnatic singer that acted in the male role of sage Narada in this film. The devotional
numbers sang by her became super hits. The fact that the TMS songs also became hits, when compared
to N C Vasanthakokilam numbers was a “real credit” to the new singer. (though not as popular as
Vasanthakokilam songs)
In the 1951 film "Devaki", TMS acted as a beggar and sang a song, "Theeratha Thuyarale Paazhakiye..."
under the music of G Ramanathan. It was the 1954 film "Thookkuthookki" that escalated the name
and fame of TMS and there was no turn back after that. The playback singer Tiruchi Lokanathan was
first approached by the producer to sing for the film, but due to some dispute with him the chance
came to TMS. TMS sang all the 8 songs for the hero Sivaji Ganeshan in the film. TMS first sang
for Sivaji Ganeshan in the film "Koondukkili"the same year, but it was the film Thookkuthookki that
stamped the voice of TMS as the singing voice of Sivaji. TMS sang for MGR for the first time in the
1954film "Malaikkallan". And after that for about more than a decade, TMS was the preferred voice for
the two super stars MGR and Sivaji. TMS sang for the other super stars of 1960s like Jayasankar (first
in "Iravum Pakalum" 1964) and Ravichandran (first in "Naan" 1967).
TMS entered the Tamil cinema world when playback singing was not that much popular, or was not
having wide acceptance. In 78 rpm discs of the songs sometimes the credits were not given to the
playback singers. And it was the names of the characters who sing the song that was given on the discs.
Even in song booklets of the films the names of playback singers was not given. TMS sang in the Tamil
film “Manthrikumari” (1950) produced by Modern Theatres. The song “Annam itta veettile….. “ that he
sang for an “extra artist” Subbiah (he acted in minor roles in films like “Digambara Samiyar “ ) became
a hit. But name of TMS is not included in the list of playback singers that appeared in the song book.
(See the relevant page of the song book given along with the article,. ). Those times names of playback
singers was not included in the title cards. TMS fought against such practices and though a bit late,
playback singers got the acceptance and their names were inscribed in the labels of the 78 rpms and also
in the song books.
In Modern Theatres’s “Valaiyapathi” (1953) TMS sang a duet with Jamunarani under the music of S
Dakshinamoorthy – “Kulunkidum poovilellaam….. “ . This is an example of successful “imitation song” –
it was true copy of Roshan’s composition for the Hindi film “Malhar” (1951) , the perennial hit duet, “Bade
Arman se rakha hai balam…. “ (Mukesh, Lata) . The Tamil imitation became as popular as its Hindi
original. The soulful voice of TMS made the romantic duet an all time hit. This is considered as the best
duet of Jamunarani with TMS.
K V Mahadevan was a composer who encouraged and supported start from the beginning of the versatile
singer’s career. K V Mahadevan was associated with HMV company. He recorded two devotional songs
in the voice of TMS for HMV records. The playback singer was paid Rs.80/- , a reasonable remuneration
during that time. K V Mahadevan directed TMS to AVM company. A V Maiyyappa Chettiar, “All in All
“ of AVM company was not impressed by the voice of TMSat first. TMS was asked to sing a comedy
number . TMS sang a popular comedy number of that time, a film song, from the film “Marmayogi” (1951)
–
“Nalla Kazhuthai Mika Nalla Kazhuthai…. “ (K V Janaki) . TMS proved his metal by rendering this
song, Meiyyappa Chettiar was taken a back by TMS’s singing. TMS got a chance to sing in AVM’s
“Chellappillai” (1955). The comedy number “Naadu nadakkira nadappile…. “ and “Gullapp podanum
naisaa …. “ went un noticed. TMS gave playback to the comedian Thankavelu in this film. But before the
release of “Chellappillai “ in 1955, TMS’s fate was decided by the songs of “Thookku Thookki” (1954).
Later on TMS became a favourite playback singer for AVM company. TMS sang several super hits for
AVM films.
The songs which crowned TMS as the voice of the super stars – MGR and Sivaji Ganeshan were –
songs from Thookkuthookki for Sivaji Ganeshan and the philosophical number ‘Ethanai kaalam than…
“ from Malaikkallan for MGR. The rest was the history. TMS became the singing voice for most of the
films enacted by the legendary stars - the two “Thilakams” of Tamil cinema – Makkalthilakam MGR and
Nadikarthilakam Sivaji Ganeshan. TMS’s voice modulation for these stars was wonderful. The voice
modulation and the style of singing that TMS adopted for these two stars to a greater extent distinguishes
themselves the super star who sings the songs on the screen. One who is keen on tamil film somgs can
easily identify whether the song is a MGR number or Sivaji number. !!
Here is an example for his voice modulation. The song , a philosophical cum comedy number, from the
film “Bhama Vijayam” (1967) – (This was remade in Hindi as “Teen Bahuraniyan – 1968 and later in
Malayalam as “Sreekrishnapurathu Nakshathra Thilakkam”- 1998) - “Varavu Ettana Chilavu Patthana…..
“ TMS sang playback for T S Baliah, Nagesh, Muthuraman and Major Sunderarajan who acted in the
song sequence !! The voice modulation was that much perfect that the listeners did not feel that it was
TMS that sang for all the four actors in the song scene. A God’s given gift, that was the magic of TMS’s
voice modulation.
TMS sang all types of songs – happy, sad, romantic, folk, devotional etc.
TMS had a special gift in his voice for folk songs. TMS went in deep in to expertise in this. He studied
the various styles of folk singing in different regions of Tamilnadu and the entire South India.
Here are a few examples of his folk singing –
- “”Manapparai maadu katti….. “ (Makkalai Petta Maharasi – 1957) )
- “Summa kidantha Nilathei Kotthi….. “ ( Nadodi Mannan 1958))
- “Thei porantha vazhi pirakkum….. “(Thei piranthaal vazhi pirakkum – 1958)
- “Kokkarakko chevaley…. “ ( Pathibhakthi- 1958)
- “Thaazhayaam poo mudichi…. “ (Bhagappirivinai – 1959)
And the evergreen melodies that stand examples for romantic numbers –
Examples of his classical based numbers –
- “Erikkarai mele poravale…… “ (Mudalali – 1957)
- Omkaramaai vilangum naadham….. “ (Vanankamudi – 1957)
Philosophical numbers –
- “Thoonkaathe Thambi…. : (Nadodi Mannan – 1958)
- “Sathiyame Lakshiyamaai kollada…. “ (Neelamalai Thirudan – 1957)
- “Ethanai kaalam than…. “ (Malaikkallan . 1954)
Sad songs –
- “Annayei pol oru deivam…. “ (Annayin Aanai. 1958)
Though TMS sang under all popular Music Directors of 1950’s and 1960s, music critics consider the style
of singing of the playback singer as it was moulded by the versatile music director G Ramanathan. The
super hits sung by the singer in G Ramanathanfilms like – Thookkuthookki, Ambikapathi, Naan Petta
Selvam, Vanankamudi, Uthamaputhran, Sarangadhara etc became the guide for the singers onward
march as the “voice of tamil cinema and tamilnadu” .
Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy and Kannadasan combination - can be compared with Vayalar – Devarajan
combination in Malayalam. In Malayalam, it was K J Yesudas who sang the immortal numbers of the
combination. Likewise in Tamil cinema, TMS sang the evergreen melodies of the most popular music
combination – Lyricist Kannadasan and Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy. Especially the “Pa” series films
(Films with titles starting with the tamil letter – pa. Films directed by Bhimsingh) For example –
“Pasamalar, Pavamannippu, Palum Pazhamum, (1961), Paarthaal Pasi Theerum, Paar Makale Paar,
Pachai Vilakku etc. All these social movies became landmark in Tamil cinema for one or the other
reason. And music became a governing factor for the success of these films, and the success of music is
to a greater extent attributed to the sensuous singing of TMS.
TMS is distinguished from other playback singers by some special features related with his playback
singing. Some of these features might be quite accidental, and some the singer acquired by his own
efforts and dedication to the fine art of music. For example , TMS sang with the singing star of 1940s,
U R Jeevaratnam. In an interview TMS himself narrated the story. U R Jeevaratnam was one of his
favourite singers, and he adored her singing voice from his childhood. It was his ambition to sing with
the versatile singer who was specially known for her high pitch singing. His ambition was fulfilled, TMS
sang with her in the film “Vaazhvile Oru Naal” (1956) . The duet – “Thenrale Vaaraayo Inpasukham
Thaaraayo… became a super hit. This song was included in the album released by HMV in the
Super Hits Series - in the 1956 album. And , in this song sequence the singing star U R Jeevaratnam
sang playback for another Singing star G Varalakshmi. This is a special feature of the song itself - A
SINGING STAR SINGING PLAYBACK FOR ANOTHER SINGING STAR. In this aspect this might be a
unique song, so far no other song is located with such special feature.
Romantic duets – It is the monopoly of the hero and the heroines, is it not ? There is a romantic duet
sung by TMS with Radha Jayalakshmi in the film “Mullaivanam” (1955). And a special and unique
song, a romantic number it is !! The villain sings the song with the heroine !!. TMS singing for P S
Veerappa. Sreeram was the hero of the film, and this was the first “Cowboy” film of the South. The song
– “Enkiruntho inku vandha rathiye…. “ was a hit of those days. In few films TMS sang playback for
singing stars of yester years like Chittoor V Nagiah also.
TMS is defined by some film music critics and his fans as “Paattu Nadikan” , meaning Playback singing
actor. Because one could feel the emotions of the character who sings the song. For example the hero
lamenting and praying for peace of mind – “Enkey Nimmathi….. “ (Puthiya Paravai- 1964), “Andha Naal
Njaapakam….. “ ( Uyarntha Manithan – 1968) , “Devane ennai parunkal…. “ (Gnana Oli – 1972) etc.
TMS acted in a few films, as a singing star, "Pattinathar" (1962), "Arunagirinathar" (1964), "Kallum
Kaniyakum" (1968, as hero and co producer), "Kavi Kalamegham" (1978). His performance in the
key roles as the saint poets in the films Pattinathar and Arunagirinathar was very impressive. But the
films failed to attract the audience and were box office failures. The box office failure of the films –
Pattinathaar, Arunagirinathar and Kavi Raja Kalamegham enacted by TMS is attributed to the unusual
success of Tamil films of the same story released in the past. The indelible impression that these films
created in the minds of the film lovers discarded the TMS films though these films also were well directed
and presented. The classics of the past are –
- PATTINATHAR - produced by Lotus Films. 1935. Directed by V S K Padam.
Starcast – C S Sundaramoorthy Othuvar, K R Saradambal
- ARUNAGIRINATHAR - produced by Jyothi Films 1937 Directed by Raja Yagnik
Starcast – T M Manikka Bhagavathar, Chandra
- KALAMEGHAM - Produced by Dandapani Films. Directed by Ellis R Duncan
Starcast – Renowned Nadaswaram exponent T N Rajarathnam Pillai (in the title role), S P L
Dhanalakshmi
TMS composed music for the Tamil film “Balapareekshai” (1976). The film or its music could not impress
the audience.
TMS sang compositions of Ilayaraja also. For example , “Annakkili Unnai Theduthey…… “ (Annakkili –
1976),
- Then Mallippoovey…… (Thyagam)
- Ammaa Nee suvantha Pillai….. (Annai Oru Alayam)
- Nandooruthu naryooruthu…… (Bhairavi)
- Sindhu nadikkarai oram…. (Nallathoru kudumbam)
- Aimbathilum asai varum…. (Rishimoolam)
- Enran ponvannamey…. (Naan vazha vaippen)
In the tamil film “Avar Enakke Sontham “ (1977), TMS sang the Hindi film lyrics from the film “Kabhi Kabhi
“ (1976) – the title song – “Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein….. “ as a Kacheri. !!. The song sequence became
a hit.
By mid 1960s, with the entry of S P Balasubramaniam, K J Yesudas etc TMS withdrew slowly from the
playback singing and his chances also went down. TMS has served as the Chairman of the "Iyal Isai
Nataka Manram" an organisation set up by the Tamilnadu Govt for the promotion of music and other
performing arts.
Legendary stars and singers, when they are in the peak of popularity, media, fans, encircle them. People
crowd wherever they move. In most cases, when they are out of the field, when they are just ignored. In
the case of TMS also, late 1970s and 1980s, TMS was not in popularity. What an injustice, the voice
of Tamilnadu kept away from the selfish film world. He conducted musical programmes to keep himself
engaged and to earn the livelihood.
Few years back, I was shocked to see him in the advertisement programmes of some medicines in some
TV channels. The film world, the tinsel world turned face from the legendary singer who was once the
king of Tamil film music. The singing voice of legends like MGR, Sivaji Ganeshan etc. But the gems that
he filled in the treasury of Tamil film music – those gems remain most valuable in the Khazana of South
Indian film music.
TMS was awarded “Padmasri” in 2003. Several other awards including the “Kalaimamani” award
of Tamilnadu are to his credit. He was awarded “Swaralaya Kairali Yesudas Award” for his lifetime
contributions to Indian film music in 2012. Thanks to the jury and the fans of TMS in kerala for honoring
TMS with this award.
HMV released some gramophone records paying tribute to Smt Indira Gandhi who expired in 1984.
Albums with songs sung by TMS became very popular and were played in public functions paying tribute
to the immortal leader and prime minister of India.
The first death anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi in Perumbudur in Tamilnadu – Sonia Gandhi was present
on the occasion. TMS sang his popular devotional number – “Ullam Uruguthayya Muruga…..” . Mrs
Sonia Gandhi was explained the meaning of the song. The meaningful devotional number made her
eyes wet. She shook her hands with TMS , the song made her so much emotional in rememberance of
the bereaved soul of her husband.
“Chayam” (1973) was the only Malayalam film in which TMS sang. The song – Tamil lyrics –
Kannadasan. Music – Devarajan. The song – “Mariyamman Thaaye…. “ ( TMS , Madhuri).
The captivating voice of TMS, enthrall the new generations also, and will continue to haunt the minds of
the music lovers of all time
(The balance Lots you can fix here or wherever you feel relevant)
Tailpiece:
As in the case of stalwarts of Indian Cinema who left us, we can expect a posthumous honor for the
immortal singer. Because we are like this, we don’t want to change. !!
B Vijayakumar.
List of Songs referenced in this article
01 En Arumai Soundararajan Ellorum Enaattumannar
01 NAAN AANAITTAAL INH100418520
01 Tamizhan Ennoru T. M. Soundararajan Malaikallan S. M. Subaiyah Naidu
04 Yaradi Nee Mohini Soundararajan, Komala, Jamuna Rani, Jikki
05 Radha Madhava T. M. Soundararajan, Susheela Enkil Kudumbam Perish
08 Kulunkitham Poovinellam Soundararajan, Jamuna Rani Valayapathi1952 Dhakshinamoorthy, Bharathi
Annam Itta Veettile T M Soundara Rajan Music G Ramanathan 1950 Lyric Film Manthiri Kumari
Chithiram Pesuthadi TMS Music T G Lingappa 1958 Lyric Ku.ma.Balasubramaniam Film Sabaash Meena
Erikaraiyinmele Mudalali ஏரிக் கரையின் மேலே
Kalvanin Kathali Manathil Uruthi Vendum..
Kettadhum Koduppavane Deiva Magan(1969)Songs
Maasila Nilave... Ambikapathi
Neelamalai Thirudan Sathiyame... TMS
Poravale Poravale... Makkale Petta Maharasi
Sundari Soundari Niranthariye TMS P Leela A P Komala Kurunji Raagam Music G Ramanathan 1954 Lyric Film Thookku Thookki
TAMIL RARE (G)OLD Konjum Kiliyana Pennai KOONDUKILI
Thendrale Vaarayo TMS U R Jeevarathnam Music C N Pandurangan T G Lingappa S M Subbaiah Naidu1956 Film Valvizhele Ore Naal
Varavu Ettana Selavu Paththana T M Soundara Rajan P Susheela L R Easwari Chorus Music M S Viswanathan 1967 Lyric Kannad
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