T. R. Mahalingam (actor)
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Thenkarai Ramakrishna Mahalingam (1923–1978) 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 while he was still a child. 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 | Dhayalan | Tamil | 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 | 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 | 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 |
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 | 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. Suseela) * 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. Suseela) * 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. Suseela) * 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. Suseela) * Sottu Sottunu Sottudhu Paaru Inge (with P. Suseela) |
K. V. Mahadevan | Majestic Studios |
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 | Kavalai Illaadha Manithan | Tamil | * Naan Deivama Illai Nee Deivama | Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy | Kannadasan Films |
1961 | Ennai Paar | Tamil | * Kaatchiyum Neethan Karpaniyum Neethan (with S. Janaki) * Edhirkondu Varaverkkudhe (with S. Janaki) * Dhasaradha Raaja Kumaaraa Alangaaraa |
T. G. Lingappa | |
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 |
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 |
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 | |
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 |
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