IANS/Chennai
Southern music composer M S Viswanathan, who has over 750 films to his credit, died at a private hospital in Chennai yesterday. He was 87.
MSV, as he was fondly called by the members of Tamil film industry, was undergoing treatment at Fortis Malar hospital for old-age related ailments and breathing problem.
“He passed away around 4.30am,” a family source said.
MSV, popular for composing music in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films, started his career as a composer for the 1952 film Tamil Panam starring Sivaji Ganeshan.
He was popular for his collaboration with fellow composer T K Ramamurthy. The duo composed music for 86 Tamil films during their association of over a decade.
They started composing together in 1952, but split in 1965. Some of their best films include Paasamalara, Sumaithaangi, Server Sundaram, Aayirathil Oruvan and Enga Veetu Pillai.
After the separation, MSV went on to become more successful.
Viswanathan’s solo hits include Bama Vijayam, Galatta Kalyanam, Deivamagan, Moondru Dheivangal, Rickshawkaran, Bharatha Vilas and Ulagam Sutrum Valiban.
Popularly known as the ‘king of light music’ (Mellisai Mannar), Vishwanathan has also worked in Malayalam films such as Manthrakodi, Babu Mon, Ullasa Yathra and Amme Anupamea.
In Telugu, his compositions include Tenali Ramakrishna, Anthuleni Katha, Idhi Katha Kaadu, Aakali Rajyam and Maro Charitra.
MSV and legendary filmmaker K Balachander combined to produce several evergreen classics.
Viswanathan’s wife Janaki died in 2012. A year later, his best friend and composer Ramamurthy too died.
He is a recipient of Kalamamani and several other music awards.