Part 1-Some of his excellent duets with “other singers”
It was more than four years back , in Jan 2022 , as my second blog, I had written about one of the greatest male playback singers of our country, T.M Soundararajan. In the initial days, I was not sure of embedding songs in my blogs and so it was a simple write up about 20 greats songs of TMS , randomly picked up by me. I had also confessed in that blog about how from being a person who was never fascinated by his songs in my younger days, I got transformed into a great fan of TMS , now placing him among my most favourite singers!
The versatility, emotive content , his absolutely flawless Tamizh diction, ability to mould the voice according to the actor on whom the song is picturized-all make him a great playback singer and definitely I have to write many more blogs on him.
In this blog I will try to showcase some of his excellent duets as my earlier blog focused only on his solo songs ( with exception of only one duet-Malarndum Malarada with P Susheela). I will list out his duets covering all main female and male playback singers with whom TMS had sung . This blog will be in two parts as the duets that he rendered with P Susheela deserves a separate one. In fact it is impossible to cover his fabulous duets with PS in one blog as the pair of TMS & PS gave some of the evergreen songs in Tamil films. In fact Part 2 , his duets with P Susheela may have to be multiple blogs Part 2 -A, B ,C etc as their association gave the best songs of the golden era of Tamizh film music.
If there has been a pair of playback singers who might have sung the maximum number of duet songs in films, it must be TMS and P Susheela. Though I do not have any authentic statistics, it may run into some 700-800 songs . This could be followed by those he sang with L R Eashwari, P Leela, Jikki, K Jamuna Rani , S Janaki , and many other singers with whom the numbers may be less like M L Vasanthakumari, A.P Komala, Radha Jayalakshmi , Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi, Vani Jayaram etc.
Apart from female playback singers , TMS also rendered many memorable male duet songs with P B Sreenivas , Seerkazhi Govindarajan , K J Yesudas, S P Balasubrahmanyam and A L Raghavan.
Although the duets of TMS with singers other than P Susheela are relatively less in numbers and maybe not known to all , barring the few he rendered with L R Eashwari, when we dig deep, definitely there are many gems to be discovered.
I will try my best to provide a representative list covering some of his memorable songs with these singers , though including everyone may not be possible.
His duets with female playback singers other than P Susheela
M S Rajeshwari
Kanvizhi Pugunthu Karuthinil-Thooku Thooki-1954-G Ramanathan-A Maruthakasi
Before M S Rajeshwari got stereotyped into singing for child actors in films , she had sung for heroines . It was only in her later part of her career, somehow the film industry, that gets into a stereotyping mode most of the time, gave her only those songs that were to be sung in a child-like voice. This duet from the early career of TMS is a nice melody.
- P Bhanumati
Masila Nilave Nam Kadalili Magizhvodu-Ambikapathy-1957-G Ramanathan-Kannadasan
In the early era most of the actors were good singers also and P Bhanumati was not only an actor-singer, but even produced and directed films. With a very unique and distinct voice she had rendered many great songs. This duet with TMS is one of her most popular ones. G Ramanathan was well-known for his epic songs that were ragamalikas and this is one of those great masterpieces from that genius composer, that has been created with different raagas but also a “ thalamalika” i.e with different rhythm patterns.
- Jikki
Kannil Vandhu Minnal Pol-Nadodi Mannan-1958-S M Subbaiha Naidu-Suratha
Jikki was an accomplished singer , known for her crystal-clear voice and very versatile singing. Though her duets with TMS may have been few in numbers, this is a very well-known song from the famous film of MGR-Nadodi Mannan.
- R Balasaraswathy
Eliyorai Thazhthi Valiyorai Vazthum-Thai Piranthal Vazhi Pirakkum-1958-K V Mahadevan-K S Krishnamoorthy
Very recently, i.e Oct 2025 , the unlucky singer R Balasaraswathy passed away at the age of 97. She started singing in late 30’s and went on to sing even till the 60’s , mainly in Tamil and Telugu films , but never got the recognition she deserved. Only while writing my blogs, I came across this forgotten singer-her most famous song was Neela Vanna Kanna Vada in the film Mangayar Thilagam( 1955) composed by S Dakshinamurthy. This rare duet with TMS is a soulful melody, sung with pathos equally well by both the singers.
- P Leela
Thazhaiyaam Poo Mudichu-Baga Pirivanai-1959- Vishwanathan -Ramamoorthy-Kannadasan
Composed brilliantly by the Mellisai Mannargal Vishwanathan and Ramamoorthy with a folk tune makes this song one of the greatest ever in that genre. As the cliché goes, the greatest things in this world are the simplest! With minimum orchestration , it is TMS & P Leela behind the screen and Sivaji Ganesan and Saroja Devi on screen who elevate this song to its lofty heights.
- M L Vasanthakumari
Aadatha Manamum Undo -Mannathi Mannan-1960-Vishwanathan -Ramamoorthy-A Maruthakasi
One of the greatest classical duets composed in Tamil films, Vishwanathan Ramamoorthy used the classical Lalithangi raagam for this song. TMS , in his typical style breezes through the higher notes with the characteristic flair for which he was well-known. And paired with him, we have the legend from the Carnatic classical world-M L Vasanthakumari . When such giants sing together , the result is a song that will remain etched in our memories forever!
- Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Ore Oru Oorile-Padikkatha Methai-1960-K V Mahadevan-Kannadasan
The Soolamangalam sisters-Rajalakshmi and Jayalakshmi were more renowned for their devotional songs and the most popular Kanda Shashti Kavacham-a hymn in praise of Lord Muruga. Both the sisters also performed many classical concerts. Their film songs were relatively lesser in numbers but many of them were hits. This duet from the film Padikkatha Methai is one of her most popular ones with TMS.
- K Jamuna Rani
Mama Mama Mama-Kumudam-1961-K V Mahadevan- A Maruthakasi
If a single song could lead to a music director being accorded a nick name, this was it! The popularity of this song made everyone call K V Mahadevan as “ Mama” endearingly. An infectious tempo and rhythm make this an evergreen song, no doubt made even more memorable by the stunning rendition by TMS & Jamuna Rani. Jamuna Rani had sung in many languages like Tamil, Sinhala, Telugu , Kannada etc and was active during right from 40’s to 50’s . After a long hiatus , she rendered a song for Ilayaraja in the film Nayakan in 1987-Naan Sirithal Deepavali
- L R Eashwari
1.Pavazhakodiyile Muthukkal Poothal-Panam Padaithavan-1965-Vishwanathan Ramamoorthy-Vaali
After P Susheela, TMS must have sung the maximum number of duets with L R Eashwari. LRE was knows for her versatility, the natural vibrato in her voice made her unique. Film world generally typecasts a singer into a particular genre-she was preferred more for peppy , cabaret songs though she was equally good singing pathos, romantic and even devotional songs.
A song in which one singer only does humming may not be strictly called a duet , but I included this masterpiece by LR Eashwari not only for TMS’ brilliant rendition , but equally for the haunting humming by LRE. A superb Arabian style composition by mellisai mannargal.
2. Muthu Kulikka Vareegala Anubavi Raja Anubavi-1967-M S Vishwanthan -Kannadasan
MSV created a fusion of folk, a middle-eastern music and even some elements of a classical raagam in this very popular and peppy number. Written by the Kaviarasar in the regional dialect of Tirunelveli-Thoothukudi , this is an absolute gem of a song. TMS & LRE create the perfect vocals for the on-screen antics of the veterans Nagesh & Manorama.
Trivia:the catchy rhythm had even inspired the music director in North, R D Burman, himself a master of rhythms, to re-create this song for the Hindi film Do Phool in 1973 ( that was also a remake of the Tamil film Anubavi Raja Anubavi).
3. Thulluvatho Ilamai-Kudiyiruntha Kovil-1968-M S Vishwanathan-Vaali
Personally , I would rate this as the best ever duet of TMS & LRE. Once again , MSV comes out with a scintillating composition and orchestration . The initial part of the song is fully dominated by LRE and then in the second charanam, TMS makes a grand entry . The energy in this song is unbeatable. Observe the way TMS adds an extra stress on the word “ Ilamai”-brilliant!
4. Naam Oruvarai Oruvar-Kumari Kottam-1971-M S Vishwanathan-Vaali
One more popular duet of TMS & LRE-the vibrato that LRE is so famous for comes out so prominently at the end of each charanam.
S Janaki
- Kathalin Pon Veediyil -Pookkari-1973-M S Vishwanathan-Panchu Arunachalam
Of course , the best duet of TMS with S Janaki was in an old film -Kungumam made in 1963-Chinnanchiriya Vanna Paravai composed by K V Mahadevan. Since I had mentioned in detail about this song in my blogs on K V Mahadevan and S Janaki, I had to skip that here.
The number duets that TMS had with S Janaki may be less but most of them are great songs. Both are well-known for the ease in which they travel the higher notes and so when they sing together it is sheer magic.
2. Anthapurathil Oru Maharaja-Deepam-1977-Ilayaraja-Pulamaipithan
Ilayaraja and TMS worked only during the former’s early days. Music taste had changed , the main actors for whom TMS sang-MGR & Sivaji were also acting in lesser films , with former entering into politics in a big way and becoming the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. It was the era of young singers SPB & KJY –TMS had started taking bow after 1980 after a long innings of around 25 years. In those 25 years , he had truly dominated the Tamil film music , like a colossus.
This memorable duet with S Janaki is definitely the best from Ilayaraja for TMS.
Vani Jayaram
Andavan Illa Ulagamethu-Oru Oothappoo Kanchimittugirathu-1976-V Dakshinamurthy-Ra Pazhanisami
With Vani Jayaram, TMS’ duets may be in single digits . Composed by the great music director V Dakshinamurthy , this was for an off-beat film and hence may not have topped the charts.
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His duets with other male playback singers
When it comes to male-male duets, these are as such rarer as compared to male-female duets and in case of TMS , many would remember only his duets with Seerkazhi Govindarajan and P B Sreenivas. To my surprise, I could discover some rare ones he sung with other male singers apart from these two and I have tried to list few songs here.
Tiruchi Loganathan
Maanamellam Pona Pin-Aaravalli-G Ramanathan-1957-A Maruthakasi
There must be only a handful of songs by TMS & Tiruchi Loganathan. In this film , Tiruchi Loganathan had around seven songs , with his Chinna kutii Nathana Sillaraya Mathina being a popular one. TMS had only one song in this film -those were the days when TMS was just making his career and Tiruchi Loganathan was already an established singer. The charm of the music from golden era lies in the fact that even obscure songs, rarely heard are so nice!
- J P Chandrababu
Aathukku Palam Avasiyam-Pathini Deivam-1957-Vishwanathan Ramamoorthy-Thanjai N Ramaiha Das
I had never heard this song earlier and never knew that TMS and Chandrababu had sung together. A rare song but a simple , delightful tune from the early days of Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy.
- A L Raghavan
Kayame Idhu Poyyada-Kumudam-1961-K V Mahadevan
I could not believe TMS singing for M R Radha -what a superb voice modulation . In between the song there are few dialogues by M R Radha and then immediately TMS continues the song and everyone knows what a distinct voice M R Radha had-TMS modulates his voice so well. A playback singer’s main strength is to get into the actor’s tone and TMS was a true master in that. A L Raghavan sings for an actor A Rama Rao and both have done an extra-ordinary job. It is a pity that songs like this have completely faded away from the popular domain.
- Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Kasikku Pogum Sanyasi-Chandrodayam-1966-M S Vishwanathan-Vaali
I had written about the epic TMS-Seerkazhi duet “ Vendriduven Unnai Vendriduven “ from the film Agastiyar in two of my blogs earlier and hence did not want to repeat it here. There cannot be any doubt at all that it is one of the masterpieces by them. Here is a light-hearted one picturized on MGR and Nagesh.
- P B Sreenivas
- Pon Ondru Kanden-Padithal Mattum Pothuma-1962-Vishwanathan Ramamoorthy-Kannadasan
To this day, this song is being recreated by many singers in various events / social media channels. The popularity of immortal songs like this can never fade away. Beautiful , meaningful lyrics, a pleasing , catchy tune with that typical shehnai of V-R , combined with a superb rendition by the two great legends-TMS & PBS-what more do we need?
2. Nallavan Enakku Naane Nallavan-Padithaal Mattum Pothuma-1962-Vishwanathan Ramamoorthy-Kannadasan
From the same film , this is relatively less heard, maybe due to the immense popularity of “ Pon Ondru Kanden” song. Interspersed with a folksy touch in between ( I could not find out who had sung that portion), this song has a different flavour as compared to Pon Ondru Kanden.
3. Vazhndu Parkavendum-Shanti-1965-Vishwanathan Ramamoorthy-Kannadasan
The TMS solo song from the move Shanti-Yaar Antha Nilavu is a masterpiece . Here is a delightful duet by TMS & PBS from the same film that may be lesser-known but is nice to hear even after decades.
4. Kannan Vanthan Yengal-Ramu-1966- M S Vishwanathan-Kannadasan
TMS makes an entry only towards the last charanam , but both the legendary singers , whenever they sing together, elevate the song to a different level.
5. Paadinal Oru Paatu-Oru Thai Makkal-1971- M S Vishwanathan-Vaali
Muthuraman had acted with MGR in very few films-this is one of them. Typical MSV’s orchestration , with the delightful contrast in voices of TMS & PBS.
S P Balasubrahmanyam
Naalai Namathe-Naalai Namathe-1975-M S Vishwanathan-Vaali
Whenever MSV had to re-create a song from a hit Hindi film , it is said that he used to feel a bit uncomfortable. But the greatness in him was that he never copied the tune and made his own innovations in a such manner that the overall feel was the same , but in a completely different tune. A true genius! This is the Tamil version of the famous Yaadon Ki Baraat Nikli Hai Aaj from the Hindi film Yaadon Ki Baraat .
SPB and K J Yesudas were gradually taking over the top position in Tamizh film music from the veteran TMS …but the spark in TMS was still alive and glowing as brilliantly as ever.
K J Yesudas
Imathotta Manivizhi Irandukkum-Unakkaga Naan-1976-M S Vishwanathan-Kannadasan
Once again a remake film, this one from the Amitab Bachchan -Rajesh Khanna starrer Namak Haram. The Hindi film did not have any male-male duet song and this was an innovation in the Tamizh version-thankfully we got to hear TMS & KJY together -could be their only duet.
Acknowledgements and Disclaimer:
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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