15th June 1944 – 20th February 2011
The decade of 1970’s in Tamizh film music was very eventful. The new generation of music directors, lyricists and singers were gradually entering the scene and even the way films were made was changing, shifting from the studio-dominated , drama-style presentation to a more realistic story-telling based on life in villages of Tamil Nadu. The directors were also of a younger generation, more open to experimentation .
It was the time when male playback singers K J Yesudas and S P Balasubrahmanyam stormed the industry , with the maestro Ilayaraja firing on all cylinders with a creativity that was to dominate the music scene for decades to come. Female playback singers S Janaki, Vani Jayaram were getting established ( of course S Janaki was there for a long time-it was only during that time she got a great second innings) , and the veteran P Susheela , was still holding on to her own space despite tough competition. The legend, T M Soundararajan was active till the end of 70’s and early 80’s , having ruled like a king for more than two decades and whose songs till today remain as fresh as they were around 50 years back. Personally I keep listening to TMS ‘s songs daily and keep discovering many gems and wonder at his versatility.
In the midst of all this , especially when KJY and SPB were going so strong, there were two male playback singers who created a niche for themselves. One was P Jayachandran about whom I had already written in this blogsite around a year ago. The other singer was Vasudevan Nair, popularly known as Malaysia Vasudevan. His voice somewhat resembles that of TMS but does have a unique, earthy timbre.
Songs that required deep , classical touch went to KJY, SPB was there for almost all genres , excelling in the romantic ones , peppy and jazzy tunes . Jayachandran , with a velvety voice close to KJY , could render many melodious songs and classical ones equally well. MV ( as I shall call Malaysia Vasudevan in this blog for simplicity) was utilized for those songs that needed a heavy folksy touch and in the early years of superstar Rajinikanth, one can say he was the de-facto voice of the superstar .
Malaysia Vasudevan was born to Chattu Nair of Ottappalam and Ammalu of Polpulli, on 15th June in the town of Kuala Selangor in the Federated Malay States (present day Malaysia). His parents were basically from Palakkad and had migrated to the British Malaya in search of a livelihood. Vasudevan was born on 15 June 1944 as their eighth and youngest child.
MV did not have any formal training in music and was more of an intuitive singer. He started singing on stage when he was eight and was also interested in acting. He joined some Tamil drama troupes in Malaysia as an actor and singer. He even sang a song for a locally produced Tamil film in Malaysia, Rathha Paei, and veteran music director G. K. Venkatesh, scored the music and MV had sung for this film.
It was for the 1972 film Delhi To Madras tha MV had his first major song , in fact a comedy song “Paalu Vikkira Padma Un Paalu Romba Suthhama?”, for the music director V. Kumar. Later on, he joined the Pavalar Brothers troupe which was run by Ilaiyaraaja and his brothers. This group used to perform on stage , many of them during political events. During one such stage performance , veteran music director M. S. Viswanathan heard MV and gave him a small piece of a song in Bharatha Vilas (he sang the Hindi lines Suno Suno Bhai Suno Suno in the song “Indhiya Naadu En Veedu”) and then a song in Thalai Prasavam. One of the memorable songs from his very early career was “Kaalam Seyyum Vilaiyattu” in Gumasthavin Magal, composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan. It was the producer of this film , A. P. Nagarajan , who christened him Malaysia Vasudevan.
Later on , with Ilaiyaraaja entering the Tamil film industry with Annakili, followed by Bharatiraja’s debut directorial venture 16 Vayathinile, MV got to sing the famous “Aattukutti Muttai Ittu” which gave him the necessary break . Ilaiyaraaja would go on to provide him all the support to make MV a star singer.
Like T. M. Soundararajan, MV was also content with singing mostly in Tamil and did not sing much in other languages. He has sung for almost all the main music directors of his times like Ilayaraja , for whom he sang the most , MS Vishwanathan, Shankar-Ganesh, Vidyasagar and A R Rehman to name a few. On screen, his voice was utilized maximum for Rajinikanth and later on for Sivaji Ganesan also. The songs he sang for Sivaji in the film Mudal Mariyadai are popular to this day.
MV also ventured into acting and did many character and negative roles and this was a unique achievement as many singers had not become successful in acting. He also scored music for few films, wrote a collection of poems titled Ennam Thondriyathu Ezhutha Thoondiyathu in 2010. He had also directed a film Nee Sirithal Deepavali in 1990.
On his personal front, Malaysia Vasudevan had married Annaporani, also known as Usha Vasudevan, on 26 January 1976 and had three children Yugendran, Prashanthini and Pavithra. Yugendran has acted and sung in some films in Tamil and other languages. Prashanthini is a playback singer. His daughter Pavithra is married and resides in Malaysia.
Tamil Nadu government had accorded the Kalaimamani award to him and he also got the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback twice.
Malaysia Vasudevan was a chronic diabetic and hypertension patient, and unfortunately had a stroke in 2003, that slowed down his mobility. He passed away due to gangrene on 20 February 2011 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
I have listed 25 songs of Malaysia Vasudevan, in chronological order of the film’s release , with song, film, year, music director, lyricist and co-singer mentioned in that sequence.
- Kaalam Seiyyum Vilayattu-Gumastavin Magal-1974-Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan-Poovai Senguttavan
Many would not be aware about this song that can be considered as one among his very early songs. Even I heard it for the first time , while working on this blog!
2. Attukkutti Muttayittu-16 Vayathinile-1977-Ilayaraja-Kannadasan–With S Janaki
In many ways the film 16 Vayathinile gave a great career boost for Rajinikanth, Kamal Hassan, Sreedevi, Ilayaraja and also Malaysia Vasudevan. His skill in modulating his voice was good in this song.
3. Kovil Mani Oosai Thannai-Kizhakke Pogum Rail-1978-Ilayaraja-Kannadasan–With S Janaki
In the early days of his career, MV had a very good association with Ilayaraja and Bharati Raja, director , in whose films he must have sung his best songs. This one is a very melodious and MV showed that he was capable of singing romantic duets also.
4. Aazhakkadali Thediya Muthu-Sattam En Kaiyil-1978-Ilayaraja-Kannadasan-With S Janaki
I do not know the reason why this song was not included in the film, but it is definitely a pleasant melody to listen to. Though MV comes at the last charanam of the song, his voice is so nice to hear.
5. Aaagaya Gangai-Dharma Yuddam-1979-Ilayaraja-M G Vallabhan -With S Janaki
Among the duets of MV , this stands tall with his best ever rendition along with S Janaki, no doubt immensely enriched by the scintillating orchestration of Ilayaraja.
6. Oru Thanga Radathil -Dharma Yuddam-1979-Ilayaraja-Kannadasan
From the same film , Dharma Yuddam, this one is Rajini singing for his sister. This song proved to the listeners , that MV is equally capable of singing an emotional song for a sister as well as how he used to sing the rustic, folk songs.
7. Kadal Vadiruchu Aasaiyil Odi Vanden-Kalyanaraman-1979-Ilayaraja-Panchu Arunachalam
Folk and Comedy were two genres, that seem to be tailor-made for MV. This song became a rage during its times.
8. Pothuvaga En Manasu-Murattu Kaalai-1980-Ilayaraja-Panchu Arunachalam
In the early days of Rajinikanth, this movie and this song brought him phenomenal fame! One can say with this song, MV became the “voice of Superstar” with his rustic delivery matching the on-screen swagger of Rajinikanth.
9. Ponmaana Thedi Naanum Poovodu-Enga Oor Raasathi-1980-Gangai Amaran- Muthulingam-With S P Shailaja
Gangai Amaran, the younger brother of Ilayaraja , is a multi-talented artist-Music composer, lyricist, director, actor, singer etc. This song is generally wrongly attributed to Ilayaraja but was actually composed by Gangai Amaran. One more very popular song of MV that used to be heard almost daily across Tamil Nadu in the 80’s.
10. Aathu mettula Oru Paattu Kekkuthu-Giramaththu Athiyayam-1980-Ilayaraja- Gangai Amaran-with S Janaki
Ilayaraja could create a folk tune with a modern touch and who else to render that so beautifully than MV & SJ!
11. Sugam Sugame Thoda Thodathane-Naan Potta Savaal-1980-Ilayaraja-Puratchi Dasan-With Vani Jayaram
One more superb melody from IR during his initial years , when his creativity was at its peak. MV and Vani Jayaram sang comparatively lesser duets but most of their songs were hits.
12. Alli Thandha Bhoomi-Nandu-1981-Ilayaraja-Madhukoor Kannan
A fine melody by Ilayaraja , beautifully executed by MV. Remains one of MV’s most memorable songs to this day. The film failed commercially , with the story set in Lucknow and lot of dialogues in Hindi that the audience could not understand ( those were the days of no sub titles!) , but the songs were good.
13. Kodai Kaala Kaatre-Panneer Pushpangal-1981-Ilayaraja-Gangai Amaran
Similar to the song from Nandu-allithantha Bhoomi, this is an even more famous , soft melody of MV and remains my personal favourite. Of course the tune, orchestration of IR was equally great and made this an evergreen favourite for all.
14. Enni Irundhadhu-Andha 7 Naatkal-1981-M S Vishwanathan-Vairamuthu-With Vani Jayaram
MV singing for MSV was somewhat rare , although one of his earliest breaks was given by MSV in his “ Indiya Nadu Yen Veedu” song way back in 1973. In MSV’s music, the inherent strength of the tune was always more prominent than orchestration , although he was never shy of using brilliant orchestration whenever required. MV teams up with Vani Jayaram for one more memorable duet.
15. Poove Ilaya Poove Varamtharum -Kozhi Koovuthu-1982-Ilayaraja-Vairamuthu
One of the most famous songs of MV , this was a super hit during its release. MV proves his classical strength without having any elaborate training in classical music.
16. Thanga Changili-Thooral Ninnu Pochchu-1982-Ilayaraja-Vairamuthu-With S Janaki
If we look at the repertoire of MV , we find so many lilting duets with S Janaki , in the music direction of Ilayaraja. One more popular duet from this team.
17. Ananda Then Sinthum Pooncholayil -Mann Vasanai-1983-Ilayaraja-Panchu Arunachalam-With S Janaki
The pair of MV and SJ gave so many hits with the team of Ilayaraja & Bharatiraja.
18. Vetti Veru Vaasam-Mudhal Mariyathai-1985-Ilayaraja-Vairamuthu-With S Janaki
Mudal Mariyadai was a milestone film for MV ,as the songs he did for the thespian Sivaji Ganesan became super hits. For many deacdes, TMS was the voice the legendary actor and in this film MV’s voice perfectly fitted him. Ilayaraja came out with some of his best compositions , that are remembered to this day.
19. Poongatru Thirumbuma – Mudhal Mariyathai-1985-Ilayaraja-Vairamuthu-With S Janaki
In Vetti Veru Vasam and Poongatru Thirumbuma, S Janaki also gave her best and together , MV & SJ created wonders. The percussion used by IR is simply out of the world.
20. Mamavukku Kuduma Kuduma-Punnagai Mannan-1986-Ilayaraja-Vairamuthu
Comedy was a favourite genre for MV right from his ‘ Aatukutti Muttai Ittu” song in 1977. This one is no exception!
21. Enna Ma Kannu-Mr. Bharath- 1986-Ilayaraja-With S.P.Balasubramaniam
What happens when two legend come together to come out with a rocking number?! Both SPB and MV behind the screen and Rajnikanth and Satyaraj on screen complement each other so well in this delightful male duet.
22. Malaiyoram Mayile-Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam-1988-Ilayaraja-Ponnadiyan-With K S Chitra
IR might have used the rhythm pattern similar to the one in this song on so many occasions and was , what we can call as a sort of ‘signature style’. MV once again proves his mettle in melodious duets.
23. Ooru Vittu Ooru Vandu-Karagatakkaran-1989-Ilayaraja-Gangai Amaran-With Gangai Amaran
Karagattakaran was a musical bonanza , with Maanguyile Poonguyile , Intha Maan Unthan Sontha Maan becoming super hits. Ooruvittu Ooru Vanthu has that typical folk style , with MV singing full of energy.
24. Eh Rasathi Rosappoo-En Uyir Thozhan-1990-Ilayaraja-Gangai Amaran-With Arunmozhi
For a very long time , I was under the impression that Ilayaraja had used superb recording technique to sound as if there were two tracks of MV’s voice, with a slight lag . I had to refer to some Internet sources and also one of my close friends , who is a music connoisseur to get it verified that one Arunmozhi also lent his voice along with MV. For me this is THE BEST song of MV. A brilliant tune, orchestration , coupled with MV’s amazing rendition.
25. Per Vechalum Vekkama-Michael Madana Kamarajan-1991-Ilayaraja-Vaali-With S Janaki
One of the best comedy films , Michael Madan Kamarajan must have been seen most film lovers multiple times including yours truly. This duet has that typical IR beat , with MV singing for Kamal Hassan -relatively rare.
My knowledge on songs after the 90’s in Tamil films is very limited and though MV sang for few more years, I have not included his songs after 1991. The impact of AI was seen in Tamil film music when MV’s voice was “ re-created” artificially for the song “ Manasilayo” for the 2024 Rajinikanth starrer-Vettaiyan.
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
- A close friend who gave some inputs and also suggested few songs for inclusion.
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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