15th March 1914 -26th May 1979
In the recent past, twice I started writing about this music director who was a pioneer in the Tamil film music world. My own lack of exposure to many of his songs made me procrastinate. A simple, unassuming man, with equally simple music , but many of his songs have a great impact , mainly due to that simplicity! One extra-ordinary aspect of his music was that the powerful lyrics in his songs make them immortal to this day. Who can forget his songs like Ethanai Kalanthan Yematruvar Intha Nattile , Thoongathe Thambi Thoongathe , Kasethan Kadavulappa and many more. Not to forget his one song that would remain etched forever in our memories for its intricate use of the Karakurichi Arunachalam’s Nadaswaram and also giving S Janaki one of her early breaks-Singare Velane Deva in the film Konjum Salangai.
Subburayulu Munuswami Subbaiah Naidu (S M Subbaiah Naidu or just SMS going forward in this article ) was born on 15th March 1914 in Kadayanallur , Tenkasi District of Tamil Nadu. With a caveat that I had to rely extensively on available information in the Internet and after searching for his songs, I am attempting to write about this great composer. He had mentored the legend Mellisai Mannar M S Vishwanathan , who took care of the childless S M Subbaiah Naidu in his later years like how one would take care of a parent. SMS is credited with having composed the first song of the great Kaviarasar Kannadasan -Kalangathiru Manamey Un Kanavellan Nanavagum Oru Dinamey” for Kanniyin Kathali sung by K. V. Janaki in 1949. He had also pioneered playback singing in Tamil films with Tiruchi Loganathan singing along with K.V Janaki , Kattinile Nangal Vazhvade”, picturized on M. N. Nambiar.
In his young days , SMS was drawn towards music and started working in drama troupes of Jagannatha Iyer and Nawab Rajamanickam Pillai. He learned music from masters such as Rajagopala Iyengar and Subramaniya Bagavathar. When the play Baktha Ramadas was made into a movie, SMS worked on the music for the movie. He initially worked jointly with other composers in few movies in the early 1940s. He got his first independent assignment for the movie Rajakumari in 1947 in which MGR played the hero . His association with MGR would later turn out to be most successful and MGR also supported him in many of his film . The decade of 1950’s was most creative for SMS and films like Ezhai Padum Padu (1950), Malaikkallan (1954) , Nadodi Mannan ( 1958) , Thirumanam ( 1958) , Annayin Aanai ( 1958) helped him to consolidate his place as one of the leading composers of that period.
Those days the studio system prevailed and most of the artists were employed on a monthly salary basis. SMS was associated with the Central Sudios, Pakshiraja Studios and Jupiter Pictures. S M Sriramulu Naidu was initially working with the Central Studios partnering with certain prominent industrialists of Coimbatore and later started his own Pakshiraja Studios .Those days Coimbatore was a major hub for film production. Interestingly the names of Sriramulu and Subbaiah seem to be related but I understand they were not relatives. Some sources in the Net mention them as brothers but that is not correct I believe.
My own observation after listening to some of the famous songs of SMS is that he relied more on simple tunes, that brought out the power of the lyrics, used bare minimum orchestration and generally avoided too much of western influence in his music, and depended on our classical raagas or folk tunes and adapted them into the grammar of a film song that would appeal to the layman. One very striking feature of his music was the very prominent percussion arrangement.
Till the mid 60’s he was very active but as trends changed , he slowly faded away. I could not find any information about his later years , but he was well taken care by MSV and had passed away on 26th May 1979.
With my limited knowledge I have tried to list out few excellent songs of SMS . Arranged in chronological order of the year of the film , I have given the song , film , year, lyricist and singer(s) in that sequence.
- Yauvanamae Aahaa Yauvanamae -Ezhai Padum Padu-1950-V A Gopalakrishnan- M. L. Vasanthakumari
A typical song from the early 50’s , melodious with a tune that has intricate movements , with the great M L Vasanthakumari rendering in her inimitable style.
2. Ethanai Kaalanthaan Emaatruvar- Malaikkallan -1954-Thanjai N Ramaiah Das-T. M. Soundararajan
This was the first song that TMS sang for MGR and what a popular one it turned out to be! Till today used by many to create memes with a satire on the political parties, the lyrics by Thanjai N Ramaiah Das sounds so true even after 70 years!
3. Thoongathey Thambi -Nadodi Mannan-1958-Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram-TMS
Nadodi Mannan was a turning point in the career of MGR and SMS’ music , coupled with the hard-hitting lyrics of Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram helped in the immense success of the film. The simple rhythm used by SMS is typical of his style.
4. Kannil Vanthu Minnal Pol-Nadodi mannan-1958-Suratha-TMS & Jikki
Note the unique percussion arrangement at the beginning of the song-typical SMS style. SMS uses the instruments like mandolin, flute only at those places required , letting TMS & Jikki to take us through the song with their sheer vocal skills.
5. Summa Kidantha-Nadodi Mannan-1958- Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram-TMS & P Bhanumathi
A superb folk style song set in a tremendous pace , enacted brilliantly on screen by MGR and Bhanumati, SMS proves that one needs to keep things as simple as possible to create great music. The entire song consists of questions and answers and Pattukottaiyar conveys the emotions of farmers toiling their entire life time with his typical socialistic message.
6. Yennamellam Or Edathaye -Thirumanam-1958-Suradha-TMS
I was fortunate to know about this song while searching for SMS’ top songs and understood that this was set in the Sahana raagam and is supposed to be a classic example of this raagam. And what a great rendition by TMS, especially at those high octaves that he glides through with a mastery for which he is well-known.
7. Thanga Nilavil – Thirumanam-1958-( With T.G. Lingappa)- Kannadasan-AM Rajah & Jikki
I found both SMS and T G Lingappa are credited for this song. A nice melody , rendered by the legendary husband-wife team of A M Rajah and Jikki.
8. Kanavin Maaya Logathile – Annayin Aanai-1958- Ku Ma Balasubramaniam-T M S & P Susheela
A very popular song that used to be played in radio when I was growing up in Chennai. The fast-paced tabla , use of guitar, flute and clarinet by SMS , coupled with superb singing by the evergreen pair TMS and P Susheela and not to miss the graceful enactment on screen by Sivaji and Savithri-all create an timeless classic.
9. Neeye Gathi Eashwari- Annayin Aanai-1958-A Maruthakasi-P Leela
I had included this song in my blog on P Leela, but would definitely like to repeat it here also . One of the most soulful songs of SMS , rendered so well by Ganamani P Leela Amma, set in Charukesi raagam.
10. Annaiyai Pol Oru Deivamillai -Annaiyin Aanai -1958-Ka Mu Sharif-TMS
In any album or playlist that has songs about Mother, this song will always have a place. Written with passion by Ka Mu Sharif and as usual rendered so soulfully well by TMS , this song would move anyone with the sheer intensity of its emotion.
11. Kunguma Poove – Maragatham- 1959-Ku Ma Balasubramaniam- J. P Chandrababu & Jamuna Rani
There is an interesting story about this song. T G Lingappa was the original composer of this tune for the film Sabash Meena; but due to some reason it was not used in that film. Later the comedian-singer J P Chandrababu ( who was supposed to have originally sung in Sabash Meena) conveyed this tune to SMS while working on the film Maragatham and SMS , who never knew the background agreed and completed the orchestration and recording of this song. It became a super hit and even today , the way Chandrababu and Jamuna Rani rendered this song is appreciated by everyone! Many years later T G Lingappa revealed the story behind this-SMS , obviously was so apologetic , as most of the legendary artists of those days were so humble.
Even if the tune was not his own, SMS did embellish the song with a unique orchestration and could be considered one among his super hit songs .
12. Maalai Mayangukindra Neram -Maragadham-1959-Shuddhananda Bharati- Radha Jayalakshmi
For me songs like this are truly eye-openers as I have not heard this in so many years and only my hunt for songs of a particular artist revealed such gems. I am sure this song must be based on a classical raagam or even a raagamalikai. I am not sure about that but it is definitely a very pleasing melody.
13. Kannukkulle Unnai Paaru -Maragadham -1959-Ra. Balu-TMS & Radha Jayalakshmi
One more hidden gem-a delightful duet by TMS and Radha Jayalakshmi. Actually Jayalakshmi was her name and she used to sing in stage concerts with her cousin Radha and somehow the combined name Radha Jayalakshmi stuck to her! Both were accomplished classical singers and had even trained many students .
14, Thirudathey Paappa – Thirudathe-1961- Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram-TMS
MGR had, on becoming the chief minister of Tamil Nadu , had famously said that one of the four legs on which he was seated in power was the powerful lyrics of Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram. Simple words that a laymen could easily understand with SMS respecting the words, composed many such songs with bare minimum orchestration and maximum emphasis to the words and the singer’s vocal skills.
15. Singaara Velane -Konjum Salangai-1962-Ku Ma Balasubramaniam- S Janaki
One more song that I am repeating, having covered this in my blog on S Janaki. A masterpiece in Tamil film industry, with a recording technique that was innovatively done for those times. The noted Nadaswara vidwan Karakurichi Arunachalam could not travel to Mumbai due to some reason and all the songs of this film were recorded there only. So, S Janaki’s vocal part was recorded separately and the Nadaswaram part was recorded in Chennai . A recording engineer called Raju had brilliantly edited these and made it into the single song that has been evergreen since 1962! The film producer M V Raman did many more innovative things in this film like the first Tamil film in Technicolor, dubbing into multiple languages with sub titles in English as this was shown in many film festivals.
With so many challenges , the basic idea of SMS to create a song that had, for the first time a voice and Nadaswaram together, got completed and what a masterpiece it turned out to be. Sadly many would not be knowing the name of music director of this song , although the song itself is iconic.
Unfortunately I am unable to get the YouTube link that has both visuals and audio of good quality and hence providing the link to the audio version only.
16. Enathu Raja Sabayile – Kalyaniyin Kanavan-1963-Kannadasan-TMS & P Susheela
SMS uses an innovative idea of providing a brief pause after each line in the Pallavi. Not only that, he uses that pause so effectively throughout the song, and with his typical simplicity , creates a lilting tune.
17. Ethanai Selvangal Vandhaalume ( Thayin Madiyil Thalai Vaithirunthal) Thaayin Madiyil-Vaali- 1964- TMS
If the song Annaiyai Pol Oru Deivam Illai was for Sivaji, this one for MGR is an equally soulful one . TMS starts off in a pitch that is his trademark and then renders the entire song with a passion that he is well-known for.
18. Ethanai Periya Manithanukku -Aasai Mugam-1965-Vaali-TMS
One of these days , I have to write about the lyricist Vaali. Many-a-times his songs are mistaken for those written by his illustrious peer-Kaviarasar Kannadasan. As I had mentioned earlier , SMS had the uncanny ability to bring out the best lyrics in his songs . If one can observe closely the interlude music in this song , could have inspired MSV to compose his “ Ranga Rangayya Enge Ponalum” song for the 1980 film Varumayin Niram Sivappu.
19. Kasethan Kadavulappa -Chakkaram-1968-Vaali-TMS
I think SMS may have the record for creating so many songs that have become philosophical statements! I was pleasantly to note this song has around 2.5 crore views !
20. Vennila Vaanil Varum – Mannipu-1969-Vaali-TMS & P Susheela
SMS was not only known for his philosophical songs , but for such light, romantic ones too. TMS, when he sings for Jaishankar, had a different tone as compared to that he used for MGR & Sivaji Ganesan.
21. Nee Engey En Ninaivugalangey from Mannippu -1969- Vaali- TMS
From the same film Mannippu, this is one more famous song of SMS from his later years. Note how SMS has changed his orchestration style with a western touch , but at the same time retaining his core simplicity and melody.
22. Kuyilosayai Vellum – Mannipu-1969-Vaali- P. Suseela & A. P. Komala
I conclude my selection of 22 songs with one more hidden gem that I came across only while searching for the sweet songs of SMS. A very rare duet of Susheela with the yesteryear singer A P Komala who must have sung this after a long gap in Tamil.
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. This blog does not claim any copyright over them, which rests with the respective owners of the rights 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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