Revered music composer and director, MS Viswanathan passes away

Well-known music director and composer, MS Viswanathan died in Chennai on Tuesday early morning.Viswanathan, who was known for his compositions in over 1700 films in not just Tamil, but also Malayalam and Kannada movies, was 87.  He had been admitted in a private hospital a week back for old-age related ailments and breathing trouble. He had however recovered for a while and was ready to be taken back home before his condition deteriorated and had to be rushed to the ICU. Born in Palakkad, Kerala, he later moved to Chennai. He was popularly referred to as “Mellisai Mannar”.Popular for composing music in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam industries, MSV started his career as composer for the 1952 film Tamil "Panam" starring Sivaji Ganeshan. MSV is popular for his collaboration with fellow composer T.K. Ramamoorthy.The duo composed music for 86 Tamil films during their association of over a decade.   Having started composing together in 1952, they split up in 1965. Some of their best films include "Paasamalar", "Sumaithaangi", "Server Sundaram", "Aayirathil Oruvan" and "Enga Veetu Pillai".  Post the separation, MSV went on to become more successful.   Viswanathan's solo hits include "Bama Vijayam", "Galatta Kalyanam", "Deivamagan", "Moondru Dheivangal", "Rickshawkarana, "Bharatha Vilas" and "Ulagam Sutrum Valibana.  Popularly known as 'king of light music' (Mellisai Mannar), Vishwanathan has also worked in Malayalam films such as "Manthrakodi", "Babu Mon", "Ullasa Yathra" and "Amme Anupame".   In Telugu, his compositions include "Tenali Ramakrishna", "Anthuleni Kathaa, "Idhi Katha Kaadu", "Aakali Rajyam" and "Maro Charitra".   MSV and legendary filmmaker K. Balachander combination has produced several evergreen classics.   Viswanathan's wife Janaki died in 2012. A year later, his best friend and composer T.K. Ramamurthy breathed his last. He is a recipient of Kalamamani and several other music awards. With inputs from IANS