Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy

Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy were an Indian music composing duo composed of M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy. They worked together on over 100 films, from 1952's Panam to 1965's Aayirathil Oruvan. After their split, Ramamoorthy worked on 16 films between 1966 and 1986. He and Viswanathan reunited in 1995 for Engirundho Vandhan.^[1]

Early lives

Ramamoorthy

Ramamoorthy, born into a well-known musical family in

C. R. Subburaman's South Indian film-music ensemble and met fellow violinist T. G. Lingappa

.

Viswanathan

Viswanathan, who had acting and singing ambitions, had a few minor stage roles during the 1940s. The famous music composer in the 1950s

harmonium

for C. R. Subburaman and met Ramamoorthy and T. G. Lingappa, another leading violinist. In addition to the harmonium, Viswanathan began playing piano at an early age.

With Subburaman

With

C. R. Subburaman, Viswanathan played the harmonium and Ramamoorthy the violin. Although both considered Subburaman their mentor, Viswanathan was also inspired by the music of S. V. Venkatraman and T. R. Pappa

.

In 1952 Subburaman died unexpectedly, leaving the music for several films unfinished. Ramamoorthy and Viswanathan completed the background music for

Shankar Jaikishan in the north. Initially reluctant, Ramamoorthy agreed.^[2]

First film

Their first film was Panam, written by A. L. Seenivasan and directed by N. S. Krishnan (who supported their partnership).^[2] Their musical training and personalities differed; the shy Ramamoorthy had a Carnatic musical background and Viswanathan, lacking Carnatic training, was a dynamic individual.
Panam was Sivaji Ganesan's second film and his first appearance with Padmini. Although the duo were initially supposed to be billed as Ramamoorthy-Viswanathan, N. S. Krishnan felt having Viswanathan's name first sounded better and told Ramamoorthy, "You are senior to him so you can be behind him, supporting him" and Ramamoorthy assented.^[3]
Composer and singer C. S. Jayaraman commissioned Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy for Ratha Kanneer's background music, writing the songs himself.

Success

Success was slow in coming during a period which featured composers such as
Pendyala Nageswara Rao
. In the wake of Panam's success, however, Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy wrote music for over 100 films from 1952 to 1965 and were the most successful composers from 1957 to 1965.
They had a flair for light, sweet melodies, and 1950s films such as
Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay, copies the duo's Telugu song Teeyani Eenati Reyi (sung by P. Susheela and G. K. Venkatesh
) and was a hit in the north.
During the late 1950s, Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy composed for musical hits such as
Padhi Bhakti and Bhaaga Pirivinai. They enjoyed continued success into the early 1960s with directors T. R. Ramanna and A. Bhimsingh. After a 1961 disagreement with his composer, A. M. Rajah, C. V. Sridhar commissioned Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy for his films and Gemini Studios and AVM Productions later engaged the duo. At this time, they were assisted by R. Govardhanam, G. K. Venkatesh, Shankar–Ganesh and Henry Daniel and used Pattom Sadan
for vocal and sound effects.

Other collaborations

Viswanathan and Ramamoorthy, particularly Viswanathan, are credited with moulding the careers of their regular singers
Seerkazhi Govindarajan and L. R. Eswari. A. L. Raghavan and S. Janaki
sang less often for them.
K. J. Yesudas had his only collaboration with the duo in two songs from Kadhalikka Neramillai (1964): "Nenjathai Alli Alli" with L. R. Eswari and P. Susheela and "Enna Paarvai Undhan Paarvai" with P. Susheela. After the partnership dissolved, he sang with Viswanathan and Ramamoorthy separately.
During their early years, they worked with established male singers such as Thiruchi Loganathan, C. S. Jayaraman, S. C. Krishnan, Ghantasala and V. N. Sundaram. The female singers were P. A. Periyanayaki, M. L. Vasanthakumari, R. Balasaraswathi Devi, P. Leela, Jikki, T. V. Rathnam, T. S. Bagavathi, M. S. Rajeswari, K. Jamuna Rani, K. Rani, A. P. Komala and A. G. Rathnamala.
The singing actors
T. A. Madhuram, V. Nagayya, T. R. Mahalingam, K. R. Ramasamy, J. P. Chandrababu, P. Bhanumathi and S. Varalakshmi also sang for the duo. G. K. Venkatesh
, M. S. Viswanathan's friend and assistant, sang a few songs as well.
T. M. Soundararajan was Viswanathan's favourite singer and
Padhi Bhakti
.
Seerkazhi Govindarajan, Udutha Sarojini, K. Jamuna Rani, M. S. Rajeswari and A. L. Raghavan owe their 1950s and 1960s vocal success primarily to the duo, particularly to Viswanathan. Directors such as B. R. Panthulu, B. S. Ranga, Krishnan–Panju, A. Bhimsingh, P. Madhavan, C. V. Sridhar, T. R. Ramanna and A. C. Tirulokchandar worked with Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy frequently until 1965. K. Balachander
never worked with the duo, preferring to work with Viswanathan alone even before the split.

Mellisai Mannargal

On 16 June 1963, Viswanathan and Ramamoorthy were given the title of Mellisai Mannargal (Tamil: மெல்லிசை மன்னர்கள், Kings of Light Music) by Sivaji Ganesan at a Madras Triplicane Cultural Academy ceremony sponsored by T. M. Ramachandran, director C. V. Sridhar and Chitralaya Gobu of the Hindu Group of Publications.^[4]

Split

Viswanathan and Ramamoorthy split up after the release of Aayirathil Oruvan on 9 July 1965. They composed for films separately, with the assistants remaining with Viswanathan. Although producer-directors T. R. Ramanna and A. Bhimsingh were saddened by the development, they worked with both men individually.
The split was the result of interpersonal issues. In 1964,
A. V. Meiyappa Chettiar
; Ramamoorthy could not appear, and after completing Aayirathil Oruvan the duo announced their split.
In his solo career, Viswanathan composed music for over 700 films from 1965 to 2015. Ramamoorthy was less successful, composing for 19 films from 1966 to 1986. Viswanathan, the highest-paid music director from 1965 to 1985 but faced competition from next generation music composers like Ilayaraja in 1980s and AR Rahman in 1990s but ^{[citation needed]} continued to compose until 1998 in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu films. After a period he started composing devotional songs. He continued doing live orchestras from 1960s to 2015. He restarted composing songs for albums and films from 2000 until 2015.

Reunion

Viswanathan and Ramamoorthy briefly reunited in 1995 for the unsuccessful Tamil film
Sathyabama University in September 2006.^[5]

Thirai Isai Chakravarthy

J.Jayalalithaa gave Viswanathan and Ramamoorthy the title of Thirai Isai Chakravarthy (Tamil: திரை இசை சக்ரவர்த்தி, Emperors of Cine Music) in August 2012.^[6]^[7]^[8]

Deaths

Ramamoorthy died in a Chennai hospital after a brief illness on 17 April 2013 at age 91.^[9]
On 27 June 2015, Viswanathan was admitted to Fortis Malar Hospital in Chennai with respiratory difficulty^[10] and died there at 4:15 a.m. on 14 July.^[11]

Filmography

Year Film Language Director Banner Note

1952 Panam
Tamil N. S. Krishnan Madras Pictures

1953 Ammalakkalu
Telugu D. Yoganand Krishna Pictures Along with C. R. Subbaraman

1953 Marumagal Tamil D. Yoganand Krishna Pictures Along with C. R. Subbaraman

1953 Devadasu Telugu Vedantam Raghavayya Vinodha Pictures Background Score

1953 Devadas Tamil Vedantam Raghavayya Vinodha Pictures Background Score

1954 Sorgavasal Tamil A. Kasilingam Parimalam Pictures

1954 Praja Rajyam Telugu A. Kasilingam Parimalam Pictures

1954 Sugam Enge Tamil K. Ramnoth Modern Theatres

1954 Maa Gopi Telugu B. S. Ranga Vikram Productions

1954 Vaira Maalai Tamil N. Jagannath Vaidhya Films

1954 Ratha Kanneer Tamil Krishnan–Panju National Pictures Background Score

1955 Kaveri Tamil D. Yoganand Krishna Pictures Co-music director G. Ramanathan

1955 Jaya Gopi Tamil B. S. Ranga Vikram Productions

1955 Porter Kandan Tamil K. Vembu Narasu Studios

1955 Vijaya Gauri Telugu D. Yoganand Krishna Pictures Co-music director G. Ramanathan

1955 Gulebakavali Tamil T. R. Ramanna R. R. Pictures

1955 Needhipathi Tamil A. S. A. Sami Vijaya Films

1955 Santhosham Telugu C. P. Dixit Jupiter Pictures

1956 Paasavalai
Tamil A. S. Nagarajan Modern Theatres

1956 Tenali Ramakrishna Telugu B. S. Ranga Vikram Productions

1956 Tenali Raman Tamil B. S. Ranga Vikram Productions

1957 Bhaktha Markandeya Tamil B. S. Ranga Vikram Productions

1957 Bhaktha Markandeya Telugu B. S. Ranga Vikram Productions

1957 Bhaktha Markandeya Kannada B. S. Ranga Vikram Productions

1957 Mahadhevi
Tamil Sundar Rao Nadkarni Sri Ganesh Movietone

1957 Pathini Deivam Tamil Ch. Narayana Murthy VRV Productions

1957 Pudhaiyal Tamil Krishnan–Panju Kamal Brothers

1957 Kudumba Gouravam Tamil B. S. Ranga Vikram Productions

1957 Kutumba Gowravam Telugu B. S. Ranga Vikram Productions

1958 Maalaiyitta Mangai Tamil G. R. Nathan Kannadasan Films

1958 Mahadhevi
Telugu Sundar Rao Nadkarni Sri Ganesh Movietone co-music director A. M. Rajah

1958 Padhi Bhakti
Tamil
A. Bhim Singh
Buddha Pictures

1958 Padhi Bhakti
Telugu
A. Bhim Singh
Buddha Pictures co-music director T. Chalapathi Rao

1958 Petra Maganai Vitra Annai Tamil T. R. Sundaram Modern Theatres

1958 Lilly Malayalam F. Nagoor HT Pictures

1959 Amudhavalli Tamil A. K. Sekhar Jupiter Pictures

1959 Bhaaga Pirivinai Tamil
A. Bhim Singh
Saravana Films

1959 Raja Malaiya Simman Tamil B. S. Ranga Vikram Productions

1959 Raja Malaya Simha Telugu B. S. Ranga Vikram Productions

1959 Sivagangai Seemai Tamil K. Shankar Kannadasan Films

1959 Thalai Koduthaan Thambi Tamil T. R. Sundaram Modern Theatres

1959 Thanga Padhumai Tamil A. S. A. Samy Jupiter Pictures

1960 Aalukkoru Veedu Tamil M. Krishnan Subash Movies

1960 Kavalai Illaadha Manithan Tamil K. Shankar Kannadasan Productions

1960 Mannadhi Mannan
Tamil M. Natesan Natesh Art Pictures

1960 Ondrupattal Undu Vazhvu Tamil T. R. Ramanna Ranga Pictures

1960 Rathinapuri Ilavarasi Tamil T. R. Ramanna Sri Vinayaga Pictures

1961 Bhagyalakshmi
Tamil K. V. Sreenivasan Kanaka Films

1961 Manapanthal Tamil T. R. Ramanna RR Pictures

1961 Palum Pazhamum Tamil
A. Bhim Singh
Saravana Films

1961 Pasamalar Tamil
A. Bhim Singh
Rajamani Films

1961 Intiki Deepam Illale Telugu T. R. Ramanna RR Pictures

1961 Pava Mannippu
Tamil
A. Bhim Singh
Buddha Pictures

1961 Vijayanagarada Veeraputra
Kannada R. Nagendra Rao RNR Pictures

1962 Alayamani
Tamil K. Shankar PSV Pictures

1962 Bale Pandiya Tamil B. R. Panthulu Padmini Pictures

1962 Bandha Pasam Tamil
A. Bhim Singh
Santhi Films

1962 Kaathiruntha Kangal
Tamil T. Prakash Rao Vasumathi Pictures

1962 Aasha Jeevulu Telugu B. S. Ranga Vikram Productions

1962 Thendral Veesum Tamil B. S. Ranga Vikram Productions

1962 Nenjil Or Aalayam Tamil C. V. Sridhar Chithralaya

1962 Nichaya Thaamboolam
Tamil B. S. Ranga Vikram Productions

1962 Pelli Thambulam Telugu B. S. Ranga Vikram Productions

1962 Paadha Kannikkai
Tamil K. Shankar Saravana Films

1962 Padithaal Mattum Podhuma
Tamil
A. Bhim Singh
Ranganathan Pictures

1962 Paarthaal Pasi Theerum
Tamil
A. Bhim Singh
AVM Productions

1962 Pavitra Prema
Telugu
A. Bhim Singh
AVM Productions co-music director R. Sudarsanam

1962 Paasam Tamil T. R. Ramanna RR Pictures

1962 Policekaran Magal Tamil C. V. Sridhar Chithrakala Pictures

1962 Prayaschittam Telugu A. Bhimsingh Saravana Films co-music director G. K. Venkatesh

1962 Senthamarai Tamil
A. Bhim Singh
ALS Productions

1962 Sumaithaangi Tamil C. V. Sridhar Visalakshi Productions

1962 Veerathirumagan
Tamil A. C. Tirulokchandar Murugan Brothers

1962 Prajasakthi
Telugu A. C. Tirulokchandar Murugan Brothers

1963 Anandha Jodhi Tamil V. N. Reddy & A. S. A. Samy PSV Pictures

1963 Idhayathil Nee Tamil
Mukta V. Srinivasan
Muktha Films

1963 Idhu Sathiyam Tamil K. Shankar Saravana Films

1963 Karpagam Tamil K. S. Gopalakrishnan Amarjothi Movies

1963 Mani Osai Tamil P. Madhavan ALS Productions

1963 Nenjam Marappathillai Tamil C. V. Sridhar Manohar Pictures

1963 Paar Magale Paar
Tamil
A. Bhim Singh
Kasthuri Films

1963 Panathottam Tamil K. Shankar Saravana Films

1963 Periya Idathu Penn Tamil T. R. Ramanna RR Pictures

1963 Manchi Chedu Telugu T. R. Ramanna RR Pictures

1963 Vijayanagara Veeraputhruni Katha
Telugu R. Nagendra Rao RNR Pictures co-music director G. K. Venkatesh

1964 Andavan Kattalai Tamil K. Shankar PSV Pictures

1964 Dheiva Thaai
Tamil P. Madhavan Sathya Movies

1964 En Kadamai Tamil M. Natesan Natesh Art Pictures

1964 Kai Koduttha Dheivam
Tamil K. S. Gopalakrishnan Sri Ponni Productions

1964 Kalai Kovil Tamil C. V. Sridhar Bhagyalakshmi Pictures

1964 Karnan Tamil B. R. Panthulu Padmini Pictures

1964 Karuppu Panam Tamil G. R. Nathan Visalakshi Films

1964 Kavala Pillalu
Telugu
A. Bhim Singh
Kasthuri Films

1964 Kaadhalikka Neramillai
Tamil C. V. Sridhar Chithralaya

1964 Pachai Vilakku
Tamil
A. Bhim Singh
Vel Pictures

1964 Padagotti Tamil T. Prakash Rao Saravana Films

1964 Panakkara Kudumbam Tamil T. R. Ramanna RR Pictures

1964 Puthiya Paravai Tamil Dada Mirasi Sivaji Productions

1964 Server Sundaram Tamil Krishnan–Panju AVM Productions

1964 Vazhkai Vazhvatharke Tamil Krishnan–Panju Kamal Brothers

1965 Aada Brathuku Telugu Vedantam Raghavayya Gemini Studios

1965 Panchavarna Kili Tamil K. Shankar Saravana Films

1965 Enga Veettu Pillai Tamil Chanakya Vijaya Productions

1965 Hello Mister Zamindar Tamil K. J. Mahadevan Sudharsanam Pictures

1965 Panam Padaithavan Tamil T. R. Ramanna RR Pictures

1965 Pazhani Tamil
A. Bhim Singh
Bharatha Matha Pictures

1965 Poojaikku Vandha Malar Tamil
Mukta V. Srinivasan
Muktha Films

1965 Santhi Tamil
A. Bhim Singh
ALS Productions

1965 Vaazhkai Padagu Tamil S. S. Vasan Gemini Studios

1965 Vennira Aadai Tamil C. V. Sridhar Chithralaya

1965 Maganey Kel Tamil
Mukta V. Srinivasan
Naaval Films

1965 Singapore CID Telugu Dada Mirasi
Sivaji Films
co-music director Pamarthi

1965 Aayirathil Oruvan Tamil B. R. Panthulu Padmini Pictures

1966 Server Sundaram Telugu Krishnan–Panju AVM Productions co-music director Pamarthi

1995 Engirundho Vandhan Tamil Santhana Bharathi VSR Pictures

References

^ Rangaraj, R. (11 February 2022). "King of melody who went on to rule Tamil films with MSV". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Ramachandran, T. M. (17 August 1963). "Kings of Light Melody". Sport and Pastime. Vol. 17. p. 43. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.

^ Rangarajan, Malathi (8 November 2012). "Ninety, and bowing away!". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 3 April 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2018.

^ Ramachandran, T. M. (6 July 1963). "Music Maestros Honoured". Sport and Pastime. Vol. 17. p. 42. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.

^ "Honorary doctorates for seven eminent personalities". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 4 September 2006. Archived from the original on 3 December 2007. Retrieved 6 March 2012.

^ "Amma confers title of Thiraiyisai Chakravarthy on legendary MSV". Chennai Online. 30 August 2012. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2013.

^ "CM confers Thirai Isai Chakravarthy on MSV". The New Indian Express. 30 August 2012. Archived from the original on 6 August 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2013.

^ "After Padma snub, Jaya says one day Centre will listen". The Indian Express. 31 August 2012. Archived from the original on 28 May 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2013.

^ "TK Ramamurthy, noted music composer, passes away". The Times of India. 17 April 2013. Archived from the original on 26 April 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2023.

^ "M S Viswanathan Death". Telangana News Paper. 14 July 2015. Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

^ "King of Film Music MS Viswanathan Passes Away". The New Indian Express. 14 July 2015. Archived from the original on 19 July 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2015.

External links

M. S. Viswanathan at
IMDb

T. K. Ramamoorthy at
IMDb

List of movies composed music by Viswanathan Ramamoorthy

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy&oldid=1218212781"

[1] Rangaraj, R. (11 February 2022). "King of melody who went on to rule Tamil films with MSV". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.

[sp-2] Ramachandran, T. M. (17 August 1963). "Kings of Light Melody". Sport and Pastime. Vol. 17. p. 43. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.

[3] Rangarajan, Malathi (8 November 2012). "Ninety, and bowing away!". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 3 April 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2018.

[4] Ramachandran, T. M. (6 July 1963). "Music Maestros Honoured". Sport and Pastime. Vol. 17. p. 42. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.

[5] "Honorary doctorates for seven eminent personalities". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 4 September 2006. Archived from the original on 3 December 2007. Retrieved 6 March 2012.

[6] "Amma confers title of Thiraiyisai Chakravarthy on legendary MSV". Chennai Online. 30 August 2012. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2013.

[7] "CM confers Thirai Isai Chakravarthy on MSV". The New Indian Express. 30 August 2012. Archived from the original on 6 August 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2013.

[8] "After Padma snub, Jaya says one day Centre will listen". The Indian Express. 31 August 2012. Archived from the original on 28 May 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2013.

[death-9] "TK Ramamurthy, noted music composer, passes away". The Times of India. 17 April 2013. Archived from the original on 26 April 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2023.

[10] "M S Viswanathan Death". Telangana News Paper. 14 July 2015. Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

[11] "King of Film Music MS Viswanathan Passes Away". The New Indian Express. 14 July 2015. Archived from the original on 19 July 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2015.

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