T. R. Mahalingam (actor)

T. R. Mahalingam in 1950s

Thenkarai Ramakrishna Mahalingam (16 June 1924 - 21 April 1978) was an Indian film actor, singer and music composer of the 1940s and 1950s. He was known for his melodious songs mostly based on romantic or devotional themes.

Early days

Mahalingam's career as an actor and singer began since his childhood. He regularly appeared in stage plays popularly called special dramas. Mahalingam trained as a singer during the time when microphones and amplifiers were rarely present in performance halls. His music training, like those of singers S. G. Kittappa, Krishnan, M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and to a large extent TMS, stressed voice projection and singing loud so as to be audible in large auditoriums. So it was that in 1933, when the prominent singer Kittappa died at the early age of 28, Mahalingam got his first break in films..

Acting

In 1937, at the age of 14, Mahalingam got the chance to appear in the film Nandakumar, the third film produced by AVM. The film was based on the story of Lord Krishna wherein Mahalingam was chosen to play the lead role. The film failed at the box office in all the three languages (Tamil, Hindi and Marathi) in which it was made. Nevertheless, it received great accolades for its songs.

Mahalingam got his big break in the film Sri Valli made at the height of the Second World War, in which he played the part of Lord Murugan. The film did well at the box-office and established Mahalingam's reputation as both an actor and a singer.

Music composers he sang for

Many music directors gave him memorable songs, including S. V. Venkatraman, K. V. Mahadevan, Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, G. Ramanathan, Sharma Brothers, T. A. Kalyanam, C. N. Pandurangan, Lalitha Venkatraman, T. Rajagopala Sarma, C. R. Subburaman, T. G. Lingappa, S. Rajeswara Rao, R. Sudharsanam, and Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan.

Playback singers he sang with

While Mahalingam had many solo hit songs, he also sang with other singers.

He sang the most number of duets with S. Varalakshmi.

He also sang duets with other female singers: P. A. Periyanayaki, T. R. Rajakumari, P. Bhanumathi, T. V. Rathinam, A. P. Komala, Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, T. S. Bagavathi, S. Janaki, P. Leela and P. Suseela.

He was also paired to sing with male singers such as Seerkazhi Govindarajan and S. C. Krishnan.

Filmography

Year	Film	Language	Song	Music	Banner
1938	Nandhakumar	Tamil		S. V. Venkatraman	AVM Productions
1939	Prahaladha	Tamil		Sharma Brothers	Salem Sankar Films
1940	Bhooloka Rambai	Tamil		G. Ramanathan	Salem Shanmugha Films & Vijaya Maruthi Pictures
1940	Parasuramar	Tamil		G. Ramanathan
1940	Sathi Murali	Tamil			Modern Theatres
1941	Dayalan	Tamil	* Enake Jayam Kidaithathuve * Parimala Mihuvana (with N. V. Krishnan)		Modern Theatres
1942	Manonmani	Tamil		T. A. Kalyanam & K. V. Mahadevan	Modern Theatres
1943	Dhaasippen or Jothi Malar	Tamil		Lalitha Venkatraman & S. Rajeswara Rao	Bhuvaneshwari Pictures
1945	Sri Valli	Tamil	* Kaayadha Kaanagatthe.... Mevaadha Maan * Premayaladhey (with P. A. Periyanayaki) * Na Dhi Dha Dhim * Singaara Rooba Aalngaari (with P. A. Periyanayaki)	T. Rajagopala Sarma & R. Sudharsanam	AVM Productions
1947	Nam Iruvar	Tamil	* Iga Vaazhvinile Aanandham (with T. S. Bagavathi) * Solai Malaroliyo (with T. S. Bagavathi) * Jega Meedhile Mei Kaadhalthaane (with T. S. Bagavathi) * Devaamudha Mozhiyaale * Viduthalai Viduthalai Viduthalai * Kodaiyile Ilaipaatrikolla	R. Sudharsanam	AVM Productions
1948	Gnana Soundari	Tamil	* Kaadhalitthaalum Inbam Melaam (with P. A. Periyanayaki) * Mana Mohanane (with P. A. Periyanayaki) * Mannile Kadalil	S. V. Venkatraman	Citadel Films
1948	Vedhala Ulagam	Tamil	* Senthamizh Naadennum Podhinile * Kalviyil Sirandha Thamizh Nadu * Mahaasugitha Rooba Sundhari * Aadhi Paraasakthi * Satthiyam Seidhu Tharuven * Un Manam Kalangaadho * Dhayai Purivai * Sendhazhavum Vennilave (with T. S. Bagavathi)	R. Sudharsanam	AVM Productions
1948	Adhithan Kanavu	Tamil	* Madhuramaana Rusiyullathe (with Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi)	G. Ramanathan	Modern Theatres
1949	Pavalakkodi	Tamil	* Annam Vaangalaiyo * Arjuna Mahaaraajan	C. R. Subburaman	Pakshiraja Studios
1949	Mayavathi	Tamil	* Pennenum Maaya Peyaam Poi Maadharai * Maane En Prema Raani (with )	G. Ramanathan	Modern Theatres
1949	Inbavalli	Tamil	* Inbamana Mohini Maane (with P. Leela) * Natha En Aasai (with T. V. Rathinam) * Anbe Perum Nidhiye (with P. A. Periyanayaki) * Eno Innum vara	G. Ramanathan	Shyamala Pictures
1950	Laila Majnu	Tamil	* Varuvaaro Maangkuyile Sol (with ) * Yaar Poi Solluvar * Paaril Anaathi Naanallave * Ezhil Vaanil Vilaiyaaduvome * Parandhu Selludhe En Paingkili	S. V. Venkatraman	Balaji Pictures
1950	Parijatham	Tamil	* Vaan Nilave (with T. V. Rathinam) * Porumaiyae Inbam Tharum	S. V. Venkatraman & C. R. Subburaman	Lavanya Pictures
1950	Ithaya Geetham	Tamil	* Vaanulaavum Thaarai Nee (with T. R. Rajakumari) * Odi Vaa Venmugil Pole (with T. R. Rajakumari) * Aaasai Kiliyai Azhaithu Vaaraai Thendrale	S. V. Venkatraman	Citadel Films
1950	Machcha Rekhai	Tamil	* Odathe (with S. Varalakshmi)	C. R. Subburaman	Sukumar Productions Limited
1950	Sukumar	Tamil			Sukumar Productions Limited
1951	Mohana Sundaram	Tamil	* O Jagamadhil Inbam (with S. Varalakshmi) * Pulli Maanaippola (with S. Varalakshmi) * Kanneer Thaano (with S. Varalakshmi) * Kanavilum Unnai Maraven * Paattu Venuma Oru Paattu * Ninaivellam Neeya	T. G. Lingappa	Sukumar Productions Limited
1952	Chinna Durai	Tamil	* Nilave Neethan Oru	T. G. Lingappa	Sukumar Productions Limited
1952	Theruppaadagan	Tamil	* Adivarum Thendralile	G. Ramanathan	Sukumar Productions Limited
1952	Velaikaran	Tamil	* Enadhullam Neeyarindhe * Kaadhalum Poi Aagume (with S. Varalakshmi)	R. Sudharsanam	Sri Valli Productions
1954	Vilayattu Bommai	Tamil	* Mohathai Konruvidu * Theertha Karaiyinile * Inba Vaanil Ulaavum (with Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi) * Mullaimalar Kodiyin Nizhalile	T. G. Lingappa	Sukumar Productions Limited
1958	Maalaiyitta Mangai	Tamil	* Vengiyum Kumari Idai ….Engal Dravida Ponnaadu * Sillendru Pootha.... Senthamizh Thenmozhiyaal * Naanandri Yaar Varuvaar (with A. P. Komala) * Thingal Mudi Soodum	Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy	Kannadasan Films
1959	Manimekalai	Tamil	* Kanngalin Vennilave (with P. Bhanumathi) * Aandavan Thamizhanada * Unnai Kaana Engum	G. Ramanathan	Shekhar Art Film
1959	Abalai Anjugam	Tamil	* Ilaiya Kanniyin Azhagiya Vadhanam (with S. Janaki) * Vennile Kudai Pidikka (with P. Susheela) * Nal Vazhiye Nadandhu * Pirapokkum Ellaa Uyirkum * Ikkaraikku Akkarai Pachai * Thoondil Poattu Izhutha * Pazhikaara Ulagamadaa Idhu	K. V. Mahadevan	Parthiban Productions
1959	Amudhavalli	Tamil	* Aadai Katti Vandha Nilavo (with P. Susheela) * Kannirandum Ondrai Ondru * Aadalama Nalam Aadalama (with P. Leela) * Thannaale Thaan Ketta * Thatthuva Kalaiyudan Viithagar * Iyal Isai Naadaga Kalaiyaale (with S. C. Krishnan) * Kaalam Enum Oru Aazha Kadalinil (with P. Susheela) * Pittham Theliya Marundhoru	Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy	Jupiter Pictures
1960	Aadavantha Deivam	Tamil	* Aasai Kondaen Amudhamae * Kodi Kodi Inbam Peravae * Sangam Muzhangivarum Singaara Thamizh Kalaiye (with P. Susheela) * Sottu Sottunu Sottudhu Paaru Inge (with P. Susheela)	K. V. Mahadevan	Majestic Studios
1960	Kavalai Illaadha Manithan	Tamil	* Naan Deivama Illai Nee Deivama	Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy	Kannadasan Films
1960	Rathinapuri Ilavarasi	Tamil	* Padikka Padikka Nenjil Inikkum (with S. Janaki) * Kaadhalukku Naanku Kanngal * En Endru Ketkave Aalillai * Porumai Oru Naal	Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy	Sri Vinayaga Pictures
1960	Thanthaikku Pin Thamaiyan	Tamil	* Inbam Malarum Anbile * Kaaviriyin Neeraadi Kalai Valarkkum * Yeru Pondra Thamizh Magane * Otrumaiyaal Vetriyelaam * Kulungi Vizhum Maaligaiyil	K. V. Mahadevan	Surya Films
1961	Ennai Paar	Tamil	* Kaatchiyum Neethan Karpaniyum Neethan (with S. Janaki) * Edhirkondu Varaverkkudhe (with S. Janaki) * Dhasaradha Raaja Kumaaraa Alangaaraa	T. G. Lingappa	Pazhaniyappa Productions
1961	Sri Valli	Tamil	* Karpaga Cholaiyile * Thandhaikku Annaalil Mandhiratthai * Mogana Punnagaiyil Enakkoru Mogam * Gnana Pazhame Mei Gnana Pazhame * Unakkagave Pirandha Azhagan	G. Ramanathan	RR Pictures
1963	Pannaiyar Magan (Unreleased)	Tamil	* Kalaivaani Kalyaani Unmeni (with P. Susheela) * Tamil Naattu Palagaaram	G. Ramanathan	RA Pictures
1965	Thiruvilayadal	Tamil	* Illaadhathondrillai Eellaamum Nee Endru Sollaamal Solli Vaithaai * Isai Thamizh Nee Seidha Arumsaadhanai	K. V. Mahadevan	Sri Vijayalakshmi Pictures
1971	Agathiyar	Tamil	* Aandavan Dharisaname Mei Adiyar Vendidum Anubavame * Isaiyai Thamizhai Iruppavane (with Seerkazhi Govindarajan) * Malainindra Thirukumaraa * Muzhu Mudhar Porule * Namachivaya Ena (with Seerkazhi Govindarajan)	Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan	Sri Vijayalakshmi Pictures
1971	Ilangeswaran	Tamil	* Dhasaradha Raajakumaaraa	S. M. Subbaiah Naidu	Shashti Pictures
1971	Kannan Karunai	Tamil	*	S. V. Venkatraman
1972	Thiruneelakandar	Tamil	* Nattiya Kalai * Ambalavaananai Nambiya * Kadalil Vizhuntha Or Kakkai * Thaayae Thandhaiyae * Etthanai Per Unnakku * Sivaleelai En Veettila * Aandavan Thaan Vanthu * Pantha Pasa Kattukulle (with S. Janaki)	C. N. Pandurangan	Sudarkodi Films
1973	Rajaraja Cholan	Tamil	* Thanjai Periya Koyil (with Seerkazhi Govindarajan & S. Varalakshmi) * Thendralodu Udanpiranthaal (with Sivaji Ganesan dialogues)	Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan	Sri Vijayalakshmi Pictures
1973	Thirumalai Deivam	Tamil	* Thiruvarul Tharum Dheivam	Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan	Shanthi Combines
1977	Sri Krishna Leela	Tamil	* Naaranane Unadhu	S. V. Venkatraman	Venus – Vahini Studios

• Nandanaar

References

• Detailed biography of actor T. R. Mahalingam
• Article on T. R. Mahalingam by Shaji
• T. R. Mahalingam at IMDb
• T. R. Mahalingam,the Actor Singer in My Movie Minutes