Part 2 -B
Continuing my blog on the great duets of TMS with P Susheela from the earlier part, here I conclude the series with some of their memorable duets from the year 1966 onwards.
By this time, MSV had parted ways from his long time associate T K Ramamoorthy , but was ruling the charts in a very big way. Towards the early 70’s and onwards, many new music directors slowly made their mark and although TMS & PS may have sung relatively lesser songs for these new comers, still , whatever they sand turned out to be evergreen hits.
In this concluding part, I am listing out around 25 songs to the best of my ability. The usual caveat always stands good-no listing of songs by such legends can never be comprehensive and my selection may be totally different from any other music lover’s selection.
While looking at the songs , I came across a video of a live concert that was held in the year 2010 , when these two legends were well past their prime-TMS would have been 88 years old and PS, 75 years. They were singing their immortal duet-Malarnthum Malaratha Paathi Malar -one could notice the hands of TMS were shaking as he was holding the microphone , the voice had the age of 88 years and had slowed down a lot , but still the way he sang with that emotion that is his trademark , equally supported by PS , is truly remarkable! I have provided the link to this live performance at the end of this blog along with the original version they sung in 1961.
This particular song has been recreated by numerous singers in social media , but I personally feel no one can even come near the rendition of the evergreen pair of T M Soundararajan and P Susheela. As long as there is music in this world, the name of TMS & PS will always be remembered with reverence.
1.Rajaavin Paarvai-Anbe Vaa-1966-M S Vishwanathan-Vaali
Let me begin with a blockbuster song! The orchestration of MSV is simply out of the world with strings, accordion & the chorus-all creating a masterpiece with majesty in TMS voice, complimented by PS’s sweet vocals.
2. Naan Parthathile Aval Oruthiyaithan-Anbe Vaa-1966-M S Vishwanathan-Vaali
Anbe Vaa film was a musical bonanza and this is one more super hit song. The interludes have the typical stamp of MSV, with TMS taking the lead in the song, joined by PS towards the end in her inimitable style.
3. Kalyana Naal Paarkka-Parakkum Paavai-1966-M S Vishwanathan-Kannadasan
A lilting waltz rhythm , with a superb brass section , MSV came out with a superb western dance number . Note how TMS has sung with a slightly different tone for MGR as compared to his usual style. Not to forget the way PS complements TMS in each line.
4. Innum Parthukondirunthal-Vallaval Oruvan-1966-Vedha-Kannadasan
Music director Vedha was capable of composing original tunes , but somehow the commercial compulsions of the producers confined him to songs inspired from the popular Hindi film songs of those times. But he would recreate them excellently in terms of orchestration . This song was inspired from the well-known music composers Shankar Jaikishan’s Mera Dil Ab Tera O sajna ( Film Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai-1960) , originally sung by Lata Mangeshkar as a solo song only. Vedha converted this as a duet superbly. TMS , whenever he sings for Jaishankar, always had a distinct tone.
5. Naan Malarodu Thaniyaga-Iru Vallavargal-1966-Vedha -Kannadasan
One more inspired song by Vedha . This is from the Shankar-Jaikishan’s super hit Tujhe Pyar Karte Hain song from the film April Fool that was sung by Rafi & Lata was recreated in Tamil by Vedha, and we have our own Rafi & Lata i.e TMS & PS making this equally popular in Tamizh . Note how Kannadasan does a superb job when writing for an already composed song with so meaningful lyrics, without spoiling the song .
6. Chandrodayam Oru Pen Aanatho-Chandrodayam-1966-M S Vishwanathan-Vaali
This duet can easily rank among the top ten by this golden pair. A superb composition by MSV that has an extra-ordinarily long charanam. The way both TMS and PS sang this , is something to be cherished for years .
7. Iraivan Irukkindrana-Avan Pithana-1966-R Parthasarathi-Kannadasan
This may strictly not be a famous duet of TMS & PS. I remembered this rare song after seeing so much destruction in recent war that has only taken a pause-God only knows if peace will ever return permanently in this troubled world. Composed by a composer who has remained unsung-only while digging out songs for my blogs I came across the name of R Parthasarathi-I must admit this could be purely my ignorance -many music lovers must be definitely knowing more about him. Different sources cite the lyricist as Kannadasan/
8. Ninaithen Vanthai Nooru Vayadu-Kaavalkaran-1967-M S Vishwanathan-Vaali
Starting off with an Arabian style tune and merging into a Punjabi bhangra so beautifully can only be done by that legend MSV! TMS & PS give that special touch to those phrases like Oh …ho…ho hoyyya so nicely, adding a unique charm to this evergreen song.
9. Muthakkalo Kangal-Nenjirukkum Varai-1967-M S Vishwanathan-Kannadasan
Only the picturization is austere, as the director C V Sridhar wanted-the lead actors Sivaji Ganesan and K R Vijaya acted in this film without any make-up. The music , orchestration and singing were so rich! This song is one of the topmost among the evergreen duets of this golden pair.
10. Poomalaiyil Or Malligai-Ooty Varai Uravu-1967-M S Vishwanthan-Kannadasan
By this time most of the ardent music lovers would have heard the anecdote behind this song’s creation as narrated by the master MSV himself. Taking inspiration from a brief flute prelude that appeared in the Hindi song composed by MSV’s ‘manaseega guru’ Naushad -Tu Mera Chand Mein Teri Chandidni, if MSV had not revealed this fact himself, no one could have ever guessed. That is how genius composers are made! The banjos that start off the rhythm after the line ‘ poomalayil’ is pure MSV signature!
11. Antha Sivagami maganidam -Pattanathil Bootham-1967-R Govarthanam-Kannadasan
I have consciously avoided writing much about the lyrical beauty in all these songs because if I start writing about Kaviarasar, then the blog’s theme would totally shift ! Making a brief exception, in this song I have to mention this story. It seems Kannadasan wanted to convey a subtle message on his political activities and the famous CM of T amil Nadi Kamarajar’s mother’s name was Sivagami. Using the theme of the film song , he did a master stroke of starting the song with the line ‘ antha Sivagami maganidam seithi solladi, yennai serum naal parka solladi’. Subtle touches like these make the songs of yore so interesting . No doubt, in all the talk about the story behind the song, we cannot forget the way in which TMS & PS rendered this.
12. Kuyilaga Naan Irunthenna-Selva Magal-1967-M S Vishwanathan-Vaali
Whenever TMS sang for the actor Jaishankar, he had a slightly different tone and most of the songs, like the ones he sang for the other top heroes-MGR & Sivaji- were also great hits. One more signature composition of the Mellisai Mannar, superbly rendered by TMS& PS.
13. Mannika Vendugiren Unthan Aasaiyai-Iru Malargal-1967-M S Vishwanathan-Vaali
When TMS starts the charanam with his inimitable style ‘ thithikkum idai unakku, enedrendum athu yenakku’ , we are elevated to the seventh heaven. Not to be left behind, OS always provides the equal counter to his singing and that is why one never tires of listening to this golden pair.
14. Pothumo Intha Idam-Naan-1967- T K Ramamoorthy-Kannadasan
After the immortal pair MSV & TKR parted their ways, MSV became a hugely successful independent composer. But unfortunately TK Ramamoorthy could get only few films , but he did compose some memorable songs-this one being one among them. Note the beautiful use of guitar and an innovative humming by both TMS & PS in the second charanam.
15. Vellikinnan Than Thanga Kaigalil-Uyarntha Manithan-1968-M S Vishwanathan-Vaali
There are very few songs in which PS joins in with only a humming. And what a great humming in this-it is as good as a normal duet.
This is without any doubt one of the evergreen duets of TMS & PS.
16. En Kelvikkenna Badil-Uyarntha Manithan-1968-M S Vishwanathan-Vaali
In the same film Uyarntha Manithan, if we had Vellikinnanthan picturised on the lead actors, this was on the second rung actors, but the song remains equally classic! TMS does more emoting than the actor on screen through his voice modulations!
17. Aadaludan Paadalai Kettu-Kudiyiruntha Kovil-1968-M S Vishwanathan-Alangudi Somu
With a terrific tempo , an unusual peppy style of singing by both the legends as compared to many of their very sober ones, this song proves that the veterans of those days can perform any genre. It was , in my personal opinion , their personal choice that they restricted themselves to a particular style.
18. Kannoru Pakkam Nenjoru Pakkam-Niraikudam-1969-V Kumar-Kannadasan
I have been guilty of bias towards MSV-TKR or independent MSV composed songs-no once can avoid that as they had given the maximum hits for TMS-PS. I have tried to include many other composers also-V Kumar is one highly under-rated but extraordinarily talented composer. I have already written about his exclusively in my blogs. The charanam is vintage V Kumar -intricate yet sounding so melodious.
19. Azhagiya Tamizh Magan Ivan-Rickshawkaran-1971-M S Vishwanathan-Vaali
Normally our film songs are around 3-4 minutes , but this one is a 6 minute song. But one can never get bored due to the excellent orchestration, singing and picturization of the song. The chorus is vintage MSV. Not to forget the ease with which both TMS & PS traverse through the high octaves so effortlessly!
20. Mayakemenna Intha Mounam-Vasantha Maaligai-1972-K V Mahadevan-Kannadasan
A film that ran successfully for almost 2 years during the first release, also went on to be as successful in digitally re-mastered versions twice-in 2013 and 2019. All the songs from this film became super hits and Mayakemmenna is a classic that is liked even today by music lovers. One more 6 minute song, but due to the excellent tune and rendition by the great pair, one can never get bored of the length.
21. Unathu Vizhiyil Enathu Paarvai-Naan Yen Piranthen-1972-Shankar Ganesh-Pulamaipithan
Shankar -Ganesh had a lucky break when they got this assignment to work an MGR film. Everyone knows MGR had an excellent music sense and almost all the songs of his films were great hits. This is one of the pleasing melodies from Shankar-Ganesh.
22. Iravukkum Pagalukkum-Engal Thanga Raja-1973-K V Mahadevan-Kannadasan
A typical KVM composition , with a fast tempo and sung so nicely by the duo. KVM had that ability to use minimum orchestration but the tunes were always so catchy. TMS’s adds his typical style while singing the last line ‘ kavignar sonnathu konjam inimel kanapovathu manjam’
23. Madhanamaligayil Manthira Maalagalam-Rajapart Rangadurai-1973-M S Vishwanathan-Kannadasan
One can never believe TMS was 51 years when this song was recorded. His voice had the same verve and energy of a singer in 20’s. The majestic way he starts off the song-the film was about a stage artist and so the style of the song was typical of the old stage songs. Equally youthful is a 40 year old P Susheela. Their voices never aged! Actually MSV had thought of two different tunes and ultimately merged them so beautifully based on the suggestion from an office boy supplying tea who happened to hear both the tunes! Genius at its best!
24. Aagaya Panthalile Ponnunjal-Ponnunjal-1973-M S Vishwanathan-Kannadasan
MSV used a grand orchestration with many wind, string instruments , complemented so beautifully with that master wordsmith Kaviarasar Kannadasan and to top them all-what a rendition by the golden pair!
25.Neramithu Neramithi Nenjil -Rishimoolam-1980-Ilayaraja-Kannadasan
One really wished the Isaignani could have composed few more songs with this golden pair. However music style had a sea-change with his advent and that is a separate world with its own charm. From the very limited few songs that TMS & PS together rendered for this mastro, this is a memorable duet. This could have been one of the last hit songs of this immortal pair.
I conclude my blog on the evergreen singing pair- T M Soundararajan and P Susheela . I know there can be so many other songs that I have missed , but hope this was a representative sample , covered in two parts.
Coupled with the first part in which I covered the duets of TMS with other singers, I feel happy that I could write about so many gems of the ‘ simmha kural’ TMS ayya.
In the beginning of this blog I mentioned about a live performance of the song Malarnthum Malaratha sung by this pair at a very advanced age. Here I am providing links to that and the original one. As long as music lives in this earth, this song will continue to move us emotionally.
TMS @ 88 years and PS @ 75 years….
And this one when they were at their prime….
Acknowledgements and Disclaimer:
I sincerely thank the publishers of following Internet sources for the information that I could gather for this article:
- You Tube
- Wikipedia
- Ragamalika TV-QFR series
The songs mentioned are from the popular, public domain and have been embedded here only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. The photograph is taken from the internet, duly recognizing the full copyrights for the same to the original creator or the site where they were originally displayed .This blog does not claim any copyright over them, which rests with the respective owners of the rights.
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