M. L. Vasanthakumari
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2010) |
Madras Lalithangi Vasanthakumari மெட்ராஸ் லலிதாங்கி வசந்தகுமாரி | |
|---|---|
 MLV in late 1940s | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 3 July 1928 |
| Origin | Madras, Madras Presidency, British India |
| Died | 31 October 1990 (aged 62) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Genres | Carnatic music – Indian Classical Music and Playback singing |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1942–1990 |
| Labels | HMV, EMI, RPG, AVM Audio, Inreco, Vani, Amutham Inc, Doordarshan, Super Audio, Geethanjali, Kosmic Music, Charsur Digital Workshop etc. |
Madras Lalitangi Vasanthakumari (Template:Lang-ta) (popularly referred to as MLV) (3 July 1928 – 31 October 1990) was a Carnatic musician and playback singer for film songs in many Indian languages. MLV and her contemporaries D. K. Pattammal and M. S. Subbulakshmi were popularly referred to as the "female trinity of Carnatic Music.[1] A prime disciple of the G. N. Balasubramaniam, she was the youngest among the established musicians of that era, and was the youngest female awardee of the Sangita Kalanidhi award.[2]
As well as being a much sought-after playback singer for films, MLV popularised unfamiliar ragas and her Ragam Thanam Pallavis were considered cerebral.[3] Additionally, she popularised the compositions of the Haridasas. Her most famous disciples include Srividya (her daughter), Sudha Raghunathan, A. Kanyakumari, Yogam Santhanam, Charumathi Ramachandran and Meena Subramanian.[4]
Early life
MLV was born to a musical family. Her father, Kuthanur Ayya Swamy Iyer, was a noted musician while her mother, Lalithangi, was also a great musician. When Deshbandu Chitharanjan Das (1870–1925) died in 1925, Lalithangi came out with a beautiful song by way of tribute to his national spirit and patriotism. A rare gramophone record (made in England) of her glorious voice rendering this song is said to be in V.Sundaram's private possession.
MLV's school education was in Madras, in a convent, where all was set to pursue a medical career until the great Carnatic musician G. N. Balasubramaniam came into her life. He became her guru. In her own words: My parents had rendered yeomen service to Carnatic music. They were mainly instrumental in popularising the compositions of Purandara Dasa in South India. They were not keen that I should enter the music field and gave me general education. But in the musical atmosphere of my house, I had ample opportunity of practising vocal music. Once G N Balasubramaniam heard me sing and he prevailed upon my parents to place me under his tutelage. It was he who was responsible for the status I occupy in the music world today.
Learning Carnatic music
MLV was very privilleged to learn Carnatic music from G. N. Balasubramaniam (GNB). She was also GNB's first disciple. Indira Menon said that GNB was a self-taught artiste, his racy style sparkling with brigas and nuances never heard before, revealed a new range of colours on the musician's palette. The brisk tempo unleashed by his powerful and pliable voice found many admirers and imitators among the younger generations, though it raised many an eyebrow among the senior vidwans. Was his music according to Sampradaya (tradition) or not, was the question that was frequently asked?' To answer, GNB was a genius, so much so that what might have seemed like a deviation from tradition was acceptable from him though it might not have been so from a lesser artiste. His personality, bold innovations and technical virtuosity became an inspiration for an entire generation of musicians. After GNB, speed and briga-laden music became the vogue to the extent that to be true to one's self and to sing according to one's vocal capacity required a great deal of courage.
Performing and recording career
 | This article contains wording that promotes the subject in a subjective manner without imparting real information. (January 2016) |
In 1940, her mother Lalithangi gave a resplendent musical recital in Simla. MLV was then only 12 years old and made her debut by accompanying her mother. Two years later, MLV gave a solo recital in Bangalore. She also cut her first 78 rpm disc which many music lovers of that period recall vividly because it created a sensation. From then on she progressed in geometrical progression as a platform artiste and by 1950 she had established herself as a front-ranker. A learned music critic has said that MLV brought the struggle of women in the world of music to a successful culmination. Her music had more male characteristics than that of any other female musician.
Her own musical style and genius
MLV imbibed much of GNB's style, but did not make a fetish of speed and struck out on her own and evolved an inimitable style.[4] Endowed with a fluid voice and rich imagination, the initials MLV could be an acronym for her Melody, Laya and Vidwat – the watchwords of her rare musical artistry that were an aural feast to both the lay and the cognoscenti.[4] Her leisurely, explorative and adventurous manner of handling ragas deserves special mention.[citation needed]
While MLV was known more for her cerebral style, rather than her emotional style, this was compensated by her rich and original manodharma. Similarly to GNB, she was a genius in her tricky, instantaneous brilliant manodharma. Indira Menon comments MLV did adopt her Guru's idea of a quick impressionistic sketch of the raga covering the two octaves at the start, but settled down to a reposeful elaboration, unfolding it gradually with her virtuosity in the form of BRIGA -CASCADES appearing only where necessary. She was careful not to carry to an excess what her versatile voice was capable of.
MLV's mastery over vocal techniques was comprehensive and complete. She could effortlessly render several difficult ragas, with her alapana and kalpana swaras suitably embellished with shruthi-bheda. Her listeners had the same ecstatic experience when she sang and more particularly when in a lightning manner she shifted gracefully from the melodic world of one raga in one pitch to another raga in another pitch. In this context one has to refer to raga combinations like Shanmukhapriya-Sankarabharanam, Bhairavi-Kamas, Abhogi-Valaji to illustrate this point.
In GNB's own words,"Vasanthi typifies real discipleship – she absorbs all, but presents her own glorious creations."[5]
Purandaradasa Tradition
Lalithangi, MLV's mother had a vast repertoire of Purandaradasa. She passed on this tradition to her daughter MLV. As a result, like T. Brinda who brought Kshetrayya Padams to the public platform and M. S. Subbalakshmi who brought Annamacharya kritis to the public arena, MLV popularised the Devaranamas of Purandaradasa.
Sindhubhairavi
She popularised the composition 'Kalyana Gopalam', composed by Narayana Teertha, in raga Sindhubhairavi. She also popularised the composition 'Venkatachala Nilayam' by Purandaradasa in the same raga. Hindustani maestro Bade Ghulam Ali Khan was generous in his praise for her music. Sudha Ragunathan mentions, '`MLV Amma has told me that it was Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Saab who taught her the nuances of Sindhu Bhairavi in the Hindustani style."[3]
Ragam Thanam Pallavi
MLV's forte was Ragam Tanam Pallavi where she not only maintained the great tradition brought to the stage by D. K. Pattammal, but enriched it in her own unique way. A. Kanyakumari who had accompanied MLV on violin for almost two decades says, "MLV-akka had a sharp mind and good memory and I have never seen her practice a song or a ragam or for that matter a ragam-tanam-pallavi also before a concert." Sudha Ragunathan, a prime disciple of MLV, remarked that "In all my twelve years of learning under her, I had never seen Amma practising at home. But, to my great surprise, she would compose a Pallavi in the car on the way to the concert!"[3]
Playback Singing
By 1946, MLV was also a playback singer.[3] Her first big hit was in the 1951 film Manamagal, where she sang the song Ellam Inbamayam in Ragamalika, and Subramania Bharathiyar's evergreen composition, Chinnanchiru Kiliyae. In the 1960 film Raja Desingu, MLV also sang another Ragamalika, Parkadal Alaimele, which was well received, and later became popular in Bharatha Natyam recitals. In later years, MLV would also sing these song towards the end of her Carnatic music concerts, and today, many musicians often include them in their repertoire.[6]
MLV was also known for singing Ayya Sami in the 1951 film, Or Iravu. This song was based on the song Gore Gore from the film Samadhi, which was in turn based on the Latin American song Chico Chico from Puerto Rico, from the film Cuban Pete. In the 1952 film Thayullam, MLV sang Konjum Purave which was based on the famous Hindi song, Thandi Havayen.[6]
Other songs MLV sang included Adisayam Vanathu Arivumayam, Senthamarai Kannanae, Vanna Tamizh and Adum Arul Jothi in the films Vikramadithan, Vairamalai, Sornakili and respectively. Incidentally, each of these songs contained the raga Kalyani and were also well received.[6]
MLV sang melodiously the Dasavatara song for Bhookailas like Munneeta Pavalinchu Nagasayana, while Kamala Kumari dancing in a classical way.[7] She sang for films till 1970.
Personality
As one of the top ranking platform artistes, MLV was noted for her charm, grace, warmth, self-restraint and humility. Her self-restraint as an artiste can be understood from her own words: Brigas in fast tempo should adhere to the sruthi and above all, true music must touch the listener's heart. MLV however maintained a philosophy: A concert is a daily test of the calibre of a musician. A slight lapse may let the musician down and a constant vigil is essential.
Accompanists
Mridangam maestro Palghat Mani Iyer, in a rare gesture, accompanied her in concerts. MLV helped others including Mannargudi Easwaran, Srimushnam V. Raja Rao, Seerkazhi J. Skandaprasad, Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam, R. Ramesh, Karaikudi Krishnamurthy, G. Harishankar (kanjira) and more, establishing them by encouraging them and giving them opportunities to accompany her in concerts.
Family
MLV got married to Late Kalaimamani Vikatam R.Krishnamurthy in the year 1951. They had a son, late K.Shankarraman and late K.Srividya (notable actress in Indian films).
Disciples
MLV taught her daughter K.Srividya, who at the age of 10 was ready to perform and sang very much like MLV. Srividya however, wanted to pursue a career in the film industry, and went on to become a notable actress in Indian films.
MLV trained several other students, and many of them are the front-ranking musicians today. Some of the notable musicians who have studied under MLV include Sudha Ragunathan, A. Kanyakumari, Trichur V. Ramachandran, Yogam Santhanam, Charumathi Ramachandran, Vanaja Narayanan, T. M. Prabhavathi, Meena Subramaniam, Jayanthi Sridharan, Jayanthi Mohan, Rose Muralikrishnan and Bama Visveswaran. She also taught music to children at the Rishi Valley School started by Jiddu Krishnamurti.
Saraswathy Srinivasan is the first disciple of MLV till the late 1960s. After marriage also Saraswathy Srinivasan jointly with MLV gave some concerts.[citation needed]
Awards and titles
In 1976, MLV was honoured with a doctorate degree from Mysore University for her work with regards to Purandaradasa's contributions to music. MLV also received the third highest civilian honour from the Indian Government, "Padma Bhushan".[8] In 1977, at age 49, MLV became the youngest woman to earn the award and title in Carnatic music, Sangita Kalanidhi. She also received the Sangeetha Kalasikhamani award given by The Indian Fine Arts Society, Chennai in 1987. She received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1970.[9]
MLV was a front ranking artiste for more than 50 years. She died in 1990 at the age of 63. Beauty and sublimity were the cardinal characteristics of her music.
Playback Singer
She was a much sought after playback singer in the late 1940s till the mid 1960s.
Music composers she sang for
She worked under C. R. Subburaman, S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, G. Ramanathan, S. Dakshinamurthi, K. V. Mahadevan, Vedha, Chittor V. Nagaiah, Pendyala Nageshwara Rao, T. Chalapathi Rao, Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, S. Rajeswara Rao, R. Sudharsanam, R. Govardhanam, T. R. Pappa, S. V. Venkatraman, Kunnakudi Venkatrama Iyer, G. Aswathama, T. A. Kalyanam, M. S. Gnanamani, C. N. Pandurangan, C. S. Jayaraman, G. Govindarajulu Naidu, T. G. Lingappa, K. G. Moorthy, Ghantasala, Master Venu, G. Aswathama, V. Dakshinamoorthy, G. Devarajan, K. Raghavan and Shankar-Jaikishan.
Playback singers she sang with
She sang immemorable duets mostly with Thiruchi Loganathan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan and A. M. Rajah. Others are M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, V. N. Sundharam, T. A. Mothi, C. R. Subburaman, C. S. Jayaraman, G. K. Venkatesh, T. M. Soundararajan, P. B. Sreenivas, K. S. George, V. Dakshinamoorthy and K. J. Yesudas.
She also sang duets with female singers with most notably with P. Leela & N. L. Ganasaraswathi. Others are T. V. Rathinam, Radha Jayalakshmi, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, A. P. Komala, P. Bhanumathi, Jikki, T. S. Bagavathi, K. Jamuna Rani & A. G. Rathnamala.
| Year | Film | Language | Song | Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Raja Mukthi | Tamil | * kulakkodi thazhaikka * ArArO nI ArArO * ingum angum engum inbamE (with M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar) * enna Anandham (with M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar) * sandhOshamAi anbar varuvAradi (with P. Bhanumathi) |
C. R. Subburaman |
| 1948 | Krishna Bakthi | Tamil | * rAdhA samedhA krishNA * endha vEdugO O rAgavA |
S. V. Venkatraman & Kunnakudi Venkatrama Iyer |
| 1949 | Nallathambi | Tamil | * gAnalOlan madhanagOpalan | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & C. R. Subburaman |
| 1949 | Vazhkai | Tamil | * gOpAlanOdu nAn AduvEnE | R. Sudharsanam |
| 1949 | Kanniyin Kadhali | Tamil | * puvi rAjA (with Thiruchi Loganathan) * kANbana yAvum kAviyam pOlE |
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & C. R. Subburaman |
| 1949 | Nam Naadu | Tamil | * mOsam pOgAdhE nI madhi mOsam * endhan manam uLLAsam * enadhu eNNam vInE * vEdhanai illA lOgam * maname enna pEdhamai |
G. Govindarajulu Naidu & Purushotham |
| 1950 | Manthiri Kumari | Tamil | * isai kalaiyE * kadhal baliyAgi nIyum * AhAhAhA vAzhvilE * eNNum pozhuthil inbam * manampol vAzhvu peRuvOmE (with Jikki) |
G. Ramanathan |
| 1950 | Ezhai Padum Padu | Tamil | * yauvvanamE inba gItham * kaNNan mana nilaiyE |
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu |
| 1950 | Beedala Patlu | Telugu | * yauvanamE aha yauvanamE * sarasaku rAdeAanE |
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu |
| 1950 | Parijatham | Tamil | * Niyayamilladi Bama * Thulasi Jaganmaadha |
S. V. Venkatraman & C. R. Subburaman |
| 1951 | Or Iravu | Tamil | * ayyA sAmi AvOji sAmi | R. Sudharsanam |
| 1951 | Prasanna | Malayalam | * Kalaanikethe Keralamaathe * Gaanamohana Hare * Jaathivairam Neethirahitham * Thakarukayo Sakalamen |
M. S. Gnanamani |
| 1951 | Saudhamini | Telugu | * Elukkona Ra | S. V. Venkatraman |
| 1951 | Navvithe Navaratnalu | Telugu | * mArubal kAvAdhe mIrA * uyyaala lUgenA O manasam |
G. Aswathama |
| 1951 | Manamagal | Tamil | * ellAm inbamayam (with P. Leela) * chinnanchiru kiLiyE kaNNamma (with V. N. Sundaram) * pAviyinum padupAvi (with V. N. Sundaram) * thirantha kUttai) * iru kAdhalar magizndhE (with C. R. Subburaman) |
C. R. Subburaman |
| 1951 | Pelli Kooturu | Telugu | * antA prEmamayam (with P. Leela) * vIra jAjula valapE (with C. R. Subburaman) * pApula lOka dupApi (with C. R. Subburaman) * 1950 ki 60 ki entO tEdA (with A. P. Komala) |
C. R. Subburaman |
| 1951 | Rajambal | Tamil | * ahaha manaiviyAvEn | M. S. Gnanamani |
| 1952 | Thai Ullam | Tamil | * konjum puRAvE * veLLai thAmaRai pUvil * kovil muzhuthum kaNden * kathaiyai keLadA |
G. Ramanathan |
| 1952 | Puratchi Veeran | Tamil | * kAraNam theriyAmal | Shankar-Jaikishan |
| 1952 | Panam | Tamil | * ezhaiyin kOyilai nAdinEn (with G. K. Venkatesh) * kudumbathin viLakku |
Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy |
| 1952 | Andhaman Kaidhi | Tamil | * kAni nilam vEndum parAsakthi (with C. S. Jayaraman) | G. Govindarajulu Naidu |
| 1952 | Kanjana | Malayalam | * Shivakaameshwareem * Maaye Thwam |
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu |
| 1952 | Parasakthi | Tamil | * vAzhga vAzhgavE vAzhgavE | R. Sudharsanam |
| 1953 | Manithan | Tamil | * kuyilE unakku | G. Ramanathan |
| 1953 | Naalvar | Tamil | * vAanamIthilE (with Thiruchi Loganathan) * inbam koLLUuthE * mayilE * iruL sUzhntha vAzhvil oLi vIsum nilavE |
K. V. Mahadevan |
| 1953 | Kodarikam | Telugu | * illAlu illAlu * mahA ganapathi gjAnanA |
C. N. Pandurangan |
| 1953 | Manidhanum Mirugamum | Tamil | * inbakuyil kuralinimai (with A. M. Rajah) * imayamalai chaaralilE |
G. Govindarajulu Naidu |
| 1953 | Inspector | Tamil | * vAruvAi manamOhanA (with V. N. Sundaram) * madhana singArA nI vA * mUdi irundha en vizhiyinul |
G. Ramanathan |
| 1953 | Inspector | Telugu | * marupAyenA mOhana * mArA sukumArA * moodapa dhinanA muddulavInA |
G. Ramanathan |
| 1953 | Anbu | Tamil | * AdavarE nAttilE (with A. M. Rajah) * isaipAdi |
T. R. Pappa |
| 1953 | En Veedu | Tamil | * bUmiyilE oru (with Radha Jayalakshmi) * konjumozhi maindhargalE thavazha vAnil (with T. A. Mothi) * konjumozhi maindhargalE thavazha vAnil (with Radha Jayalakshmi) * rAma rAma indhitaka |
Chittor V. Nagaiah & A. Rama Rao |
| 1953 | Naa Illu | Telugu | * adigadigO gagana sIma andamaina chandamAmA (with T. A. Mothi) * rArA mA intidakA |
Chittor V. Nagaiah & A. Rama Rao |
| 1953 | Kangal | Tamil | * inba vInaiyai mIttuthu | S. V. Venkatraman |
| 1953 | Mugguru Kodukkulu | Telugu | * ArAghu Ra muni (with N. L. Ganasaraswathi) | K. G. Moorthy |
| 1953 | Aashadeepam | Malayalam | * Jagadanandhakaraka (with P. Leela) * Janani Jayikka Neenal (with P. Leela) * Sharanam Mayilvaahanaa |
V. Dakshinamoorthy |
| 1953 | Aasai Magan | Tamil | * Kalaigal Migundha Engal Tamil Vazhgave(with P. Leela) | V. Dakshinamoorthy |
| 1953 | Uiagam | Tamil | * un kAdhalAl en anbellAm (with A. M. Rajah) | M. S. Gnanamani |
| 1953 | Manam Pol Mangalyam | Tamil | * sOlai naduvE Odi | A. Rama Rao |
| 1954 | Vaira Malai | Tamil | * vanjam idhO vAnjai idhO (with Thiruchi Loganathan) * kUvAmal kUvum kOkilam (with Thiruchi Loganathan) * unnai eNNUm podhE * senthAmaRai kaNNanE |
Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy |
| 1954 | Ratha Kanneer | Tamil | * kadhavai sAthadi * Alaiyin sanggE Ni UthAyO |
C. S. Jayaraman |
| 1954 | Sri Kalahastiswara Mahatyam | Telugu | * chUchi chUchi * chAlu chAlu nA mOhanA |
R. Sudharsanam |
| 1954 | Bedara Kannappa | Kannada | * dAri kAdu nA balu nondE | R. Sudharsanam |
| 1955 | Kaveri | Tamil | * manjal veyyil mAlaiyilE (with C. S. Jayaraman) | G. Ramanathan |
| 1955 | Kaveri | Tamil | * manadhinilE nAn konda | Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy |
| 1955 | Kalvanin Kadhali | Tamil | * tamil thirunAdu thannai peRRa (with N. L. Ganasaraswathi) | G. Govindarajulu Naidu |
| 1955 | Adarsha Sathi | Telugu | * Parameshane Shiraverida | R. Sudharsanam & R. Govardhanam |
| 1955 | Maheswari | Tamil | * andha nALum endha nALO | G. Ramanathan |
| 1955 | Kaalam Maari Pochu | Tamil | * eNNamadhellAm nIyE niraindhu | Master Venu |
| 1955 | Kodeeswaran | Tamil | * ennudalum ullakkAdhalum unakkE | S. V. Venkatraman |
| 1955 | Valliyin Selvan | Tamil | *Kannin Maniye Vaa * Vilayadum Dheivamadi (with T. V. Rathinam) |
Parur S. Anantharaman |
| 1956 | Kannin Manigal | Tamil | * kaNNin maNiyE vA | S. V. Venkatraman |
| 1956 | Chori Chori | Hindi | * Thillana | Shankar-Jaikishan |
| 1956 | Kula Dheivam | Tamil | * thAyE yasodhA * vArAyO ennai pArAyo * Anum peNNum vAzvilE |
R. Sudharsanam |
| 1956 | Koodapirappu | Malayalam | * Alarsharaparithaapam * Manivarnane Innu Njan |
K. Raghavan |
| 1956 | Madurai Veeran | Tamil | * Adal kAnIrO * senthamizhA ezhunthu vArAyO |
G. Ramanathan |
| 1956 | Thaaikkuppin Thaaram | Tamil | * nAdu sezhithida naaLum uzhaithida | K. V. Mahadevan |
| 1956 | Nagula Chavithi | Telugu | * mArubal kAvAdhe mIrA | Ghantasala |
| 1956 | Raja Rani | Tamil | * indriravu miga nandriravu | T. R. Pappa |
| 1957 | Chakravarthi Thirumagal | Tamil | * enthan uLLam koLLai koLLa vantha nIlI yArO | G. Ramanathan |
| 1957 | Iru Sagodharigal | Tamil | * thAyE un seyalallavO (with P. Leela) | S. Rajeswara Rao |
| 1957 | Bhale Ammayilu | Telugu | * gOpAla jAgEla rA (with P. Leela) | S. Rajeswara Rao |
| 1957 | Vanangamudi | Tamil | * siramathil thigazhvathu...... vA vA vA valarmathiyE vA | G. Ramanathan |
| 1957 | Thaskaraveeran | Malayalam | * Maayaamoham Maaraathe | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu |
| 1957 | Karpukkarasi | Tamil | * kaniyO pAgO kaRkaNdO (with P. B. Sreenivas) * vizhiyOdu viLaiyAdum kalaichelvamE (with P. Leela) |
G. Ramanathan |
| 1957 | Mayabazar | Telugu | * chinnAri sasirEkha vardhillavammA | Ghantasala & S. Rajeswara Rao |
| 1957 | Maya Bajaar | Tamil | * Chinnari Sasirekha Vardhillavamma | Ghantasala & S. Rajeswara Rao |
| 1958 | Bhookailas | Telugu | * munnIta pavalinchu * dhEvA mahAdhEvA mamu brovumu siva |
R. Sudharsanam & R. Govardhanam |
| 1958 | Bhookailas | Kannada | * Ksheeraabdhi Varadhaama Naga Sayana | R. Sudharsanam & R. Govardhanam |
| 1958 | Mangalya Baghyam | Tamil | * nenjathilE accham illadhavar (with P. Leela) * Anusuya Kadhaakaalatchebam (with Seerkazhi Govindarajan, A. P. Komala, K. Jamuna Rani & A. G. Rathnamala) * pAdu pattAlE machchAn (with K. Jamuna Rani & A. G. Rathnamala) * annaiyE parAsakthi |
G. Ramanathan |
| 1959 | Mamiyar Mechiya Marumagal | Tamil | * mOgana rangA ennai pAradA (with Seerkazhi Govindarajan) * kaNNA vA vA maNivaNNA vA vA * maithunaRE maithunaRe (with A. P. Komala) * viral mothiram..... inggE iruppathA * ilavu kAtha kiLipOl |
R. Sudharsanam |
| 1959 | Thanga Padhumai | Tamil | * varugiRAl unnai thEdi (with Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi) | Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy |
| 1959 | Chathurangam | Malayalam | * Kaatte Va Kadale Va * Odakkuzhalum * Kaatte Va Kadale Va (with K. S. George) |
G. Devarajan |
| 1959 | Kaveriyin Kanavan | Tamil | * vaNNatamizh sornakiLI | K. V. Mahadevan |
| 1959 | Kalyanikku Kalyanam | Tamil | * Anandham indRu Arambam (with N. L. Ganasaraswathi) | |
| 1959 | Jayabheri | Telugu | * nIventa nerajA navaurA | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1959 | Kalaivaanan | Tamil | * kAdhal silai AdudhE | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1959 | Manimekalai | Tamil | * pazhangkAla thamizharin vAzhkai murai (with N. L. Ganasaraswathi) | G. Ramanathan |
| 1959 | Kanniyin Sabadham | Tamil | * Attatthil sirandhadhu iitthalAttam (with Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi) | T. G. Lingappa |
| 1960 | Parthiban Kanavu | Tamil | * andhi mayanguthadi * vadiVerE thirusUlam thONdrum thONdrum * munnum |
Vedha |
| 1960 | Meenda Sorgam | Tamil | * Adum arul jOthi (with Seerkazhi Govindarajan) | T. Chalapathi Rao |
| 1960 | Petra Manam | Tamil | * sindhanai seiyadA (with Sivaji Ganesan's dialogues) | S. Rajeswara Rao |
| 1960 | Mannadhi Mannan | Tamil | * kalaiyOdu kalanthadhu uNmai * AdAtha manamum uNdO (with T. M. Soundararajan) |
Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy |
| 1960 | Raja Bakthi | Tamil | * kaRka kasadara kaRRapin | G. Govindarajulu Naidu |
| 1960 | Raja Desingu | Tamil | * paaRkadal alai mElE | G. Ramanathan |
| 1960 | Seetha | Malayalam | * Kanne Nukaru Swargasukham | V. Dakshinamoorthy |
| 1960 | Thilakam | Tamil | * kAthiruntha kannukku oLi thandhadhu * manasukkuLLE marachu vaikka mudiyalE (with Seerkazhi Govindarajan) * ezhaikkum vaazhvukkum vegu dhooramaa ((with Seerkazhi Govindarajan & T. S. Bagavathi) |
R. Sudharsanam |
| 1961 | Kongu Naatu Thangam | Tamil | * irunthum illathavarE | K. V. Mahadevan |
| 1961 | Malliya Mangalam | Tamil | * avarindRi nAnillai | T. A. Kalyanam |
| 1961 | Ummini Thanka | Malayalam | * Geethopadesham (with V. Dakshinamoorthy & P. Leela) | V. Dakshinamoorthy |
| 1961 | Krishna Kuchela | Malayalam | * Varnippathengine (with P. Leela) | K. Raghavan |
| 1962 | Vikramaadhithan | Tamil | * adhisayam ivanadhu | S. Rajeswara Rao |
| 1963 | Susheela | Malayalam | * Thaalolam | V. Dakshinamoorthy |
| 1965 | Magane Kel | Tamil | * kalai manggai uruvam kaNdu (with Seerkazhi Govindarajan) | Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy |
| 1965 | Shakunthala | Malayalam | * Kaamavardhiniyaam (with P. Leela) * Kaalil Chilanka (with K. J. Yesudas) * Guru Brahma |
K. Raghavan |
| 1965 | Pinchuhridhayam | Malayalam | * Gaanavum Layavum Neeyalle (with P. Leela) | V. Dakshinamoorthy |
| 1967 | Sri Purandara Dasaru | Kannada | * Aadidano Ranga | C. N. Pandurangan |
References
- ^ The Hindu
- ^ "Sangeeta Kalanidhis". karnatik.com. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
- ^ a b c d The Hindu: Blend of melody, rhythm and intellect
- ^ a b c Calutta K.S. Krishnamurthi, 'Sruti' Issue 75–76 December 1990 – January 1991 Cite error: The named reference "sruti" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ "A Nightingale called MLV".
- ^ a b c The Hindu: Voice with an enchanting lilt
- ^ Munneeta Pavalinchu song on YouTube
- ^ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
- ^ "SNA Awardees' List". Sangeet Natak Akademi. 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
- Female Carnatic singers
- Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in arts
- Sangeetha Kalanidhi recipients
- Singers from Chennai
- Performers of Hindu music
- Tamil playback singers
- 1928 births
- 1990 deaths
- Tamil singers
- Indian female classical singers
- 20th-century Indian singers
- Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
- Indian female film singers