T. K. Ramamoorthy
Encyclopedia
T. K. Ramamurthy, Tiruchirapalli
Krishnaswamy Ramamurthy, is a popular South Indian Tamil music composer and violin
ist. He hails from the from a family of violinists. He is popularly known as Mellisai Mannar (Tamil
, for "The King of Light Music"). His major works are in Tamil
, Malayalam and Telugu films. Along with M. S. Viswanathan
, as the duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, he dominated film music composing in the South Indian film industry during the 1950s and 1960s and composed scores for over 700 films, revitalising Chennai film music. The duo parted in 1965 and since then he composed for films individually. They rejoined in 1995 after 29 years of separation, for Engirundho Vanthan.
where he met T. K. Ramamoorthy. M. S. Viswanathan was handling the harmonium while T. K. Ramamoorthy was handling the violin for C. R. Subburaman.
In 1952, C. R. Subburaman passed away unexpectedly while in the midst of completing songs for the films which he was assigned to compose music. M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy took the lead to complete the remaining songs for those affected films such as Devadas and Kadhal
. At that point of time both M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy were not official partners yet but they had just worked together. Then M. S. Viswanathan suggested to T. K. Ramamoorthy an alliance in the south by both of them teaming up such as Shankar and Jaikishen who were known as Shankar Jaikishan
in the north. At first, T. K. Ramamoorthy who had been reluctant that he was already contented with the income he was receiving from being a violinist but agreed to pair on the insistence of M. S. Viswanathan.
Their first movie was Panam, a movie by A. L. Seenivasan and directed by N. S. Krishnan
. It was the secound film for Sivaji Ganesan
and for first time their names appeared as Viswanathan-Ramamurthy. T. K. Ramamoorthy is elder to M. S. Viswanathan by seven years, but the placing of their names as Viswanathan-Ramamurthy was agreed upon by both parties on the advice of N. S. Krishnan
. That was the beginning where since then both composed several hundred songs together.
On 16 June 1963, at a special function M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy were each given the title of Mellisai Mannar. It was granted by Sivaji Ganesan
at the Madras Triplicane Cultural Academy. The function was supported and facilitated by the Hindu Group of Publications, especially Mr. T. M. Ramachandran, Director C. V. Sridhar
and Chitralaya Gobu. Collectively they were called Mellisai Mannargal (Kings Of The Light Music).
The end of the partnership between M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy was marked by the release of Aayirathil Oruvan
on 9 July 1965. They subsequently both composed for films individually. After 29 years, they were reunited in 1995 for the Sathyaraj
starrer Tamil
film Engirundho Vanthan.
He was awarded a honorary doctorate along with M.S.Viswanathan by the Sathyabama Deemed University in September 2006.
Tiruchirapalli
Tiruchirappalli ) , also called Tiruchi or Trichy , is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Tiruchirappalli District. It is the fourth largest municipal corporation in Tamil Nadu and also the fourth largest urban agglomeration in the state...
Krishnaswamy Ramamurthy, is a popular South Indian Tamil music composer and violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist. He hails from the from a family of violinists. He is popularly known as Mellisai Mannar (Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
, for "The King of Light Music"). His major works are in Tamil
Kollywood
Kollywood is a word referring two different movie industries in India and Nepal, derived from the word Hollywood and their local movie centers.* Tamil cinema, the Tamil language film industry based on Kodambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu,...
, Malayalam and Telugu films. Along with M. S. Viswanathan
M. S. Viswanathan
Manayangath Subramanian Viswanathan , is a Tamil music director. He is popularly known as "Mellisai Mannar" . His major works over the past five decades have been in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films...
, as the duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, he dominated film music composing in the South Indian film industry during the 1950s and 1960s and composed scores for over 700 films, revitalising Chennai film music. The duo parted in 1965 and since then he composed for films individually. They rejoined in 1995 after 29 years of separation, for Engirundho Vanthan.
Viswanathan Ramamoorthy
Since young, T. K. Ramamoorthy is a violinist. M. S. Viswanathan had always wanted to become an actor and singer where he had done roles in stage dramas before joining S. M. Subbaiah Naidu. Then he moved to C. R. SubburamanC. R. Subburaman
C. R. Subburaman also known as C. S. Ram was a famous South Indian film music composer and producer. He was born to Ramasamy Iyer at Chintamani village in Thirunelveli, in present-day Tamil Nadu. Music director Shankar of Shankar Ganesh duo is his younger brother...
where he met T. K. Ramamoorthy. M. S. Viswanathan was handling the harmonium while T. K. Ramamoorthy was handling the violin for C. R. Subburaman.
In 1952, C. R. Subburaman passed away unexpectedly while in the midst of completing songs for the films which he was assigned to compose music. M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy took the lead to complete the remaining songs for those affected films such as Devadas and Kadhal
Prema (film)
Prema is a 1952 Telugu drama film produced and directed by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao of Bharani Pictures and starring A. Nageswara Rao and P. Bhanumathi. Bhanumathi wrote the story for the first time. It is simultaneously made into Tamil language entitled Kadhal.-The plot:Mothi is a poor Lambadi...
. At that point of time both M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy were not official partners yet but they had just worked together. Then M. S. Viswanathan suggested to T. K. Ramamoorthy an alliance in the south by both of them teaming up such as Shankar and Jaikishen who were known as Shankar Jaikishan
Shankar Jaikishan
Shankar Jaikishan , also known as S/J, is an Indian music composer duo in the Hindi film industry, working together from 1949–1971....
in the north. At first, T. K. Ramamoorthy who had been reluctant that he was already contented with the income he was receiving from being a violinist but agreed to pair on the insistence of M. S. Viswanathan.
Their first movie was Panam, a movie by A. L. Seenivasan and directed by N. S. Krishnan
N. S. Krishnan
Nagerkoyil Sudalaimuthu Krishnan , popularly known as Kalaivanar and also as 'NSK' was a leading Tamil film comedian, drama artist, playback singer and writer in the early stages of the Tamil film industry - in the 1940s and 1950s....
. It was the secound film for Sivaji Ganesan
Sivaji Ganesan
Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan Manrayar , commonly known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan , was an Indian stage and film actor active during the latter half of the 20th century. He is one of the most respected film actors in India. He is well known for his versatility and acting skills with...
and for first time their names appeared as Viswanathan-Ramamurthy. T. K. Ramamoorthy is elder to M. S. Viswanathan by seven years, but the placing of their names as Viswanathan-Ramamurthy was agreed upon by both parties on the advice of N. S. Krishnan
N. S. Krishnan
Nagerkoyil Sudalaimuthu Krishnan , popularly known as Kalaivanar and also as 'NSK' was a leading Tamil film comedian, drama artist, playback singer and writer in the early stages of the Tamil film industry - in the 1940s and 1950s....
. That was the beginning where since then both composed several hundred songs together.
On 16 June 1963, at a special function M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy were each given the title of Mellisai Mannar. It was granted by Sivaji Ganesan
Sivaji Ganesan
Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan Manrayar , commonly known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan , was an Indian stage and film actor active during the latter half of the 20th century. He is one of the most respected film actors in India. He is well known for his versatility and acting skills with...
at the Madras Triplicane Cultural Academy. The function was supported and facilitated by the Hindu Group of Publications, especially Mr. T. M. Ramachandran, Director C. V. Sridhar
C. V. Sridhar
C Sridhar was a South Indian screenwriter and film director. Sridhar hailed from Chitthamur, a village near Madurantakam, Tamil Nadu. He studied at St. Joseph's Higher Secondary School , where he began writing and staging plays while he was in Grade 7. He entered films as a dialogue writer when...
and Chitralaya Gobu. Collectively they were called Mellisai Mannargal (Kings Of The Light Music).
The end of the partnership between M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy was marked by the release of Aayirathil Oruvan
Aayirathil Oruvan (1965 film)
Aayirathil Oruvan is a 1965 swashbuckling action-adventure film in Tamil directed by B.R. Panthulu. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and Jayalalitha in the lead roles. The film further stars other widely known actors such as M. N. Nambiar, R. S. Manohar, Nagesh and L. Vijayalakshmi...
on 9 July 1965. They subsequently both composed for films individually. After 29 years, they were reunited in 1995 for the Sathyaraj
Sathyaraj
Sathyaraj is a Tamil film actor and media personality in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. A Tamil activist and a political influence, he has acted in over 150 films, ranging from action and drama to comedy. In 2007, he played the role of Periyar E. V. Ramasamy in the Tamil Nadu government-sponsored...
starrer Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
film Engirundho Vanthan.
He was awarded a honorary doctorate along with M.S.Viswanathan by the Sathyabama Deemed University in September 2006.
Filmography
Since the partition, T.K. Ramamoorthy had composed music for 19 Tamil films.- Sadhu Mirandaal (1966)
- Thenmazhai (1966)
- Madras To Pondicherry (1966)
- Marakka Mudiyuma (1966)
- Alayam (1966)
- Enggalukkum Kalam Varum (1967)
- Pattatthu Rani (1967)
- Naan (1967)
- Moondrezhutthu (1968)
- Soappu Seeppu Kannadi (1968)
- Neelagiri Express (1968)
- Thanga Surangam (1969)
- Kathal Jothi (1970)
- Sangamam (1970)
- Sakthi Leelai (1972)
- Praarthanai (1973)
- Avalukku Ayiram Kangal (1975)
- Antha June 16 (1984)
- Ival Oru Pournami (1986)