Great South Indian Music Director MS Vishwanathan (Manayangth Subramanian Viswanathan) passed away this morning at around 4.30 a.m. He was taking treatment at a private hospital in Chennai. As he was suffering from illness and breathing problems since few days, he died at the age of 87. As he had given signs of recovery after treatment and was almost set to be taken back home, his condition deteriorated suddenly.

He is one of the famous and popular composers in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam film Industries. His first stage show was at the age of 13. He started his career as a composer in 1952 in a Tamil film “Panam”. Vishwanathan and his fellow composer TK Ramamurthy would compose together and this collaboration extended until 85 films in a span of 10 years. This duo was very much attractive with their music split in 1965.

Emperor of Light Music

Few best films done by the duo are “Paasamalara, “Sumaithaangi”, “Server Sundaram”, “Aayirathil Oruvan” and “Enga Veetu Pillai”. After their separation, Vishwanathan became more popular and unstoppable. Vishwanathan became star composer by giving music in hit films like “Deivamagan”, “Moondru Dheivangal”, “Galatta Kalyanam”, “Rickshawkaran”, “Bama Vijayam”,”Bharatha Vilas” and “Ulagam Sutrum Valiban”.

He even stepped in Malayalam film industry and composed hit music in films like “Manthrakodi”, “Babu Mon”, “Ullasa Yathra” and “Amme Anupamea”. He has been called as Mellisai Mannar. Vishwanathan became famous in Telugu film industry by composing in films such as “Tenali Ramakrishna”, “Anthuleni Katha”, “Idhi Katha Kaadu”, “Aakali Rajyam” and “Maro Charitra”.

He has composed for a total of 1200 films composing songs in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu languages. He has been working since five decades and his song have loads of fans. MSV is an inspiration for anybody who would like to compose music. He not only composed music but also has acted and sung in a few Tamil films. Present CM of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa conferred the Thirai Isai Chakravarthy (“The Emperor of Cine Music”) title on him in August 2012.

Awards Achieved by MS Vishwanathan:

1. Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award-South (2001).
2. PBS Puraskar Award presented by Aruna Nithya Gopal Foundation awarded on 29 September 2013 at Ravindra Bharati.
3. Honorary doctorate from Tirunelveli-based Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (MSU) on 3 January 2013.
4. Doctorate conferred bySathyabama University in 2006.
5. Paramacharya Award, meaning ‘The Ultimate Guru’ in 2006.
6. Life Time Achievement Award by Sangam Kala group in 2004.
7. Media gave him title “Mellisai Mannar” along with T.K. Rammoorthy, meaning “King of Light Music” or “King of melodies”.
8. ‘Sangeetha Saraswathi’ by Poojya Sri Guruji Viswanath of Manava Seva Kendra.

And many more.