KING OF LIGHT MUSIC - MELLISAI MANNAR

Shri.M.S.Viswanathan (MSV) is one of the greatest living legends of Indian Cinema.  He is turning 84 on 24th June and I wanted to salute him on his birthday for the wonderful contribution he has made through his music.  I pray to God to give him good health and a very long life.

Mellisai Mannar is a title that is fitting and most appropriate only to MSV.  He has given some of the greatest compositions in the Golden Era of the Indian Cinema.  I heard in one of the speeches of Kannadasan that MSV knows only music.  He does not know anything other than music.  He immersed himself into music at a very young age and went on to become one of the greatest Music Directors of Indian Cinema.

In 1952 Shri.M.S.Viswanathan and Shri.T.K.Ramamoorthy came together and composed music for films.  After composing music for several films for 9 years they were conferred the title "Mellisai Mannargal" (Kings of Light Music) in 1963.  This video below is one of the greatest compositions of this legend and you can also see him in action conducting the orchestra:




He has produced some evergreen songs along with Shri.T.K.Ramamoorthy and later when he started doing the Music alone he has created marvelous music. 

The songs that have been created by the trio MSV, Kannadasan and Sivaji Ganesan will live for several centuries.  He has produced some memorable evergreen songs in Sivaji Films, viz., Aandavan Kattalai, Aalayamani, Bale Pandiyaa, Baagapirivinai, Baabu, Karnan, Gnana Oli, Gouravam, Deivamagan, Thangapadakkam, Raamu, Nichaya Thamboolam, Pachai Vilakku, Padithaal mattum poduma, Paavamannippu, Paalum Pazhamum, Paar Magale Paar, Paarthaal pasi theerum, Paasamalar, Pudiya Paravai, Pattikkaada Pattanamaa, Uyarntha Manidan, Thirisoolam.......

MSV has also done wonderful music for some MGR pictures and to name a few we have Padagotti, Urimaikkural, Ulagam Suttrum Vaaliban, Uzhaikkum Karangal, Rickshaakaaran, Raman Thediya Seethai, Enga Veettu Pillai, Naan Aanai Ittal, Anbe Vaa.

MSV has composed songs in different genres and how can we forget some of the other films like Billa, Varumayin Niram Sigappu, Bhama Vijayam, Sarvar Sundaram, Andha Ezhu Naatkal, Aval Oru Thodarkathai, Kaadalikka Neramillai, Paadha Kaanikkai, Ninaithale Inikkum, Thillu Mullu, Solathaan Ninaikiren, Simla Special, Policekaaran Magal.

MSV has sung for Oscar Winner A.R.Rahman in Sangamam.  He has also acted in several films and the notable performance was in Kamal Hassan super hit film "Kaathala Kaathala".

MSV has inspired every single music director in Tamil Film Industry and will continue to be a great inspiration for others over the next several centuries.  We should all feel proud and happy that we have also lived in the same age when this legend has lived and produced some wonderful music.

Long Live Shri.M.S.Viswanathan.

T.P.Anand
Dubai, U.A.E
21st June 2012