The Swaras just flow out gently. The Ragas breezes freely along. The tunes just transport you into an exotic rhythmic world. You travel through a soulful melodious journey. This is what you experience when you hear the pleasant compositions of M. S. Vishwanathan (MSV).
Popularly known as 'Mellisai Mannar', MSV captured the listeners of South India and earned high profile from Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu cinema. Though a Keralite, MSV achieved immense fame through Tamil film industry. Besides singing, he has showed remarkable talents through his acting skills and has made his appearance in many movies and shows. He has won many awards and titles for his vast contribution to South Indian music. Among other accolades and awards, he was conferred with Doctorate by Sathyabama University in 2006 and is also called 'University Of Music'. It is claimed that MSV is the only Music Director to have sung individually over 500 songs in all languages and who to have worked for other well known music directors like V. Kumar, Shankar Ganesh, Illayaraja, A.R. Rahman, Gangai Amaran and Deva.
Interestingly this music icon shares his birthday with his colleague and the legendary Tamil poet and lyricist Late Kannadasan. Both these had ruled together over the Tamil music world and had composed several songs which became huge success.
Kannadasan brought a note able change in the Tamil literature and film scenario. Also popularly called Kaviarasu Kannadasan was a very well-acclaimed personality during his days because of his use of day-to-day philosophy in his works. A winner of Sahitya Akademi, Kannadasan contributed around 5000 lyrics besides 6000 poems and 232 books including novels, epics, plays and essays. He had won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics, in 1969 for the film 'Kuzhanthaikkaga'. He is greatly remembered by not only filmzens but also by common mass for he delivered verses that really touched the people from all walks of life.
MSV and Kannadasan shared a good rapport and had great mutual understanding. Both regarded each other as very close friends. Kannadasan was a person with ready wit and had keen observational powers. Once Kannadasan had said referring to MSV, "The best way to kill MSV is to give him poison while he is composing music. He will just drink it." MSV similarly had high regard for the latter. Kannadasan and Vaali were very close to this great man. He compared them both as his own two eyes.
This musical pair, MSV and Kannadasan, gave music lovers several melodious treats; of which two of the memorable songs are - "Satti Suttathada" from 'Aalaiya Mani' and "Vantha Naal Muthal" from 'Pava Mannipu'.
Both M. S. Vishwanathan and Kannadasan have really created an impact through their vast knowledge and talents and have given their best for the people through their respective fields.
The world of music and Tamil literature would have been so colourful sans their shining contribution.
king:thalaiva u r great....our heartly wishes to u....
A beautiful insight into the relationship of the legends. Really great and kudos for the efforts.
ReplyDeletePlease allow me to comment on one forgotten factor. From the years 1952 to 1965 Viswanathan and Ramamurthy churned out gems which still rings in our ears. However, it was not the same after the duo separated although some will insist that MSV performed better than TKR. It was true to a certain extent only.
What I fail to understand is that in interviews with MSV when commenting on songs composed during the partnership no credit whatsoever is given to TKR. Many do not know that TKR was responsible towards giving tune whilst MSV was in charge of orchestration and arrangements. Listen to any songs and you will find TKR's violin playing along with the playback singer or singers very lightly. This in itself is proof of his contributions. On the other hand in rare interviews with the media TKR never failed to acknowledge the greatness of MSV.
It is an universal fact that all the compositions involving Kaviarasar Kannadhasan and Viswanathan Ramamurthy are still resonating with life. After all it was Kaviarasar Kannadhasan who bestowed the 'mellisai mannargal' on the both, isn't it?