T. R. Mahalingam (actor)
Thenkarai Ramakrishna Mahalingam (16 June 1924 - 21 April 1978)[1] born in Sholavandan Thenkarai was an Indian film actor, singer and music composer of the 1940s and 1950s. He was known for his melodious songs mostly based on romantic or devotional themes.
Early days
Mahalingam's career as an actor and singer began since his childhood. He regularly appeared in stage plays popularly called special dramas. Mahalingam trained as a singer during the time when microphones and amplifiers were rarely present in performance halls. His music training, like those of singers S. G. Kittappa, Krishnan, M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and to a large extent TMS, stressed voice projection and singing loud so as to be audible in large auditoriums. So it was that in 1933, when the prominent singer Kittappa died at the early age of 28, Mahalingam got his first break in films..
Acting
In 1937, at the age of 14, Mahalingam got the chance to appear in the film Nandakumar, the third film produced by AVM. The film was based on the story of Lord Krishna wherein Mahalingam was chosen to play the lead role. The film failed at the box office in all the three languages (Tamil, Hindi and Marathi) in which it was made. Nevertheless, it received great accolades for its songs.
Mahalingam got his big break in the film Sri Valli made at the height of the Second World War, in which he played the part of Lord Murugan. The film did well at the box-office and established Mahalingam's reputation as both an actor and a singer.
Music composers he sang for
Many music directors gave him memorable songs, including S. V. Venkatraman, K. V. Mahadevan, Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, G. Ramanathan, Sharma Brothers, T. A. Kalyanam, C. N. Pandurangan, Lalitha Venkatraman, T. Rajagopala Sarma, C. R. Subburaman, T. G. Lingappa, S. Rajeswara Rao, R. Sudharsanam, and Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan.
Playback singers he sang with
While Mahalingam had many solo hit songs, he also sang with other singers.
He sang the most number of duets with S. Varalakshmi.
He also sang duets with other female singers: P. A. Periyanayaki, T. R. Rajakumari, P. Bhanumathi, T. V. Rathinam, A. P. Komala, Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, T. S. Bagavathi, S. Janaki, P. Leela and P. Suseela.
He was also paired to sing with male singers such as Seerkazhi Govindarajan and S. C. Krishnan.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Language | Song | Music | Co-Singer | Banner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | Nandhakumar | Tamil | S. V. Venkatraman | AVM Productions | ||
| 1939 | Prahaladha | Tamil | Sharma Brothers | Salem Sankar Films | ||
| 1940 | Bhooloka Rambai | Tamil | G. Ramanathan | Salem Shanmugha Films & Vijaya Maruthi Pictures | ||
| 1940 | Parasuramar | Tamil | G. Ramanathan | |||
| 1940 | Sathi Murali | Tamil | Central Studios | |||
| 1941 | Dayalan | Tamil | Enake Jayam Kidaithathuve | Modern Theatres | ||
| Parimala Mihuvana | N. V. Krishnan | |||||
| 1942 | Manonmani | Tamil | T. A. Kalyanam & K. V. Mahadevan | Modern Theatres | ||
| 1943 | Dhaasippen or Jothi Malar | Tamil | Lalitha Venkatraman & S. Rajeswara Rao | Bhuvaneshwari Pictures | ||
| 1945 | Sri Valli | Tamil | Kaayadha Kaanagatthe.... Mevaadha Maan | T. Rajagopala Sarma & R. Sudharsanam | AVM Productions | |
| Premayaladhey | P. A. Periyanayaki | |||||
| Na Dhi Dha Dhim | ||||||
| Singaara Rooba Aalngaari | P. A. Periyanayaki | |||||
| 1947 | Nam Iruvar | Tamil | Iga Vaazhvinile Aanandham | R. Sudharsanam | T. S. Bagavathi | AVM Productions |
| Solai Malaroliyo | T. S. Bagavathi | |||||
| Jega Meedhile Mei Kaadhalthaane | T. S. Bagavathi | |||||
| Devaamudha Mozhiyaale | ||||||
| Viduthalai Viduthalai Viduthalai | ||||||
| Kodaiyile Ilaipaatrikolla | ||||||
| 1948 | Gnana Soundari | Tamil | Kaadhalitthaalum Inbam Melaam | S. V. Venkatraman | P. A. Periyanayaki | Citadel Films |
| Mana Mohanane | P. A. Periyanayaki | |||||
| Mannile Kadalil | ||||||
| Arunothayaanandhame | ||||||
| Vanithamaniye Mounameno | ||||||
| Jegamel Naan Ini Bhagyavaane | ||||||
| Vaazhvinil En Uyir Vadivaana | ||||||
| 1948 | Vedhala Ulagam | Tamil | Senthamizh Naadennum Podhinile | R. Sudharsanam | AVM Productions | |
| Kalviyil Sirandha Thamizh Nadu | ||||||
| Mahaasugitha Rooba Sundhari | ||||||
| Aadhi Paraasakthi | ||||||
| Satthiyam Seidhu Tharuven | ||||||
| Un Manam Kalangaadho | ||||||
| Dhayai Purivai | ||||||
| Sendhazhavum Vennilave | T. S. Bagavathi | |||||
| 1948 | Adhithan Kanavu | Tamil | Madhuramaana Rusiyullathe | G. Ramanathan | Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi | Modern Theatres |
| 1949 | Pavalakkodi | Tamil | Annam Vaangalaiyo | C. R. Subburaman | Pakshiraja Studios | |
| Arjuna Mahaaraajan | ||||||
| 1949 | Mayavathi | Tamil | Pennenum Maaya Peyaam Poi Maadharai | G. Ramanathan | Modern Theatres | |
| Maane En Prema Raani | M. L. Vasanthakumari | |||||
| Manamohiniye Unnai Maravene | ||||||
| Sadhaa Un Haasyamevum | ||||||
| 1949 | Inbavalli | Tamil | Inbamana Mohini Maane | G. Ramanathan | P. Leela | Shyamala Pictures |
| Natha En Aasai | T. V. Rathnam | |||||
| Anbe Perum Nidhiye | P. A. Periyanayaki | |||||
| Eno Innum Vara | ||||||
| 1950 | Laila Majnu | Tamil | Varuvaaro Maangkuyile Sol | S. V. Venkatraman | T. S. Bagavathi | Balaji Pictures |
| Sanjalak Kadalile.... Yaar Poi Solluvar | ||||||
| Paaril Anaathi Naanallave | ||||||
| Ezhil Vaanil Vilaiyaaduvome | ||||||
| Parandhu Selludhe En Paingkili | ||||||
| Anudhinam Sandoshamakave | T. S. Bagavathi | |||||
| Paingiliye Mano Raagini | T. S. Bagavathi | |||||
| Vanna Maane Un Ninaivaale | ||||||
| Maadharase Mayile | ||||||
| Paavi Ennai Poloruvar | T. S. Bagavathi | |||||
| 1950 | Parijatham | Tamil | Vaan Nilave | S. V. Venkatraman & C. R. Subburaman | T. V. Rathnam | Lavanya Pictures |
| Porumaiyae Inbam Tharum | ||||||
| 1950 | Ithaya Geetham | Tamil | Vaanulaavum Thaarai Nee | S. V. Venkatraman | T. R. Rajakumari | Citadel Films |
| Odi Vaa Venmugil Pole | T. R. Rajakumari | |||||
| Aaasai Kiliyai Azhaithu Vaaraai Thendrale | ||||||
| Jeyame Ini Mele Bayamillai Ini | K. Sarangkapani | |||||
| 1950 | Macha Rekai | Tamil | Odathe | C. R. Subburaman | S. Varalakshmi | Sukumar Productions Limited |
| 1950 | Sukumar | Tamil | Sukumar Productions Limited | |||
| 1951 | Mohana Sundaram | Tamil | O Jagamadhil Inbam | T. G. Lingappa | S. Varalakshmi | Sukumar Productions Limited |
| Pulli Maanaippola | S. Varalakshmi | |||||
| Kanneer Thaano | S. Varalakshmi | |||||
| Kanavilum Unnai Maraven | ||||||
| Paattu Venuma Oru Paattu | ||||||
| Ninaivellam Neeya | ||||||
| 1952 | Chinna Durai | Tamil | Nilave Neethan Oru | T. G. Lingappa | Sukumar Productions Limited | |
| Thiraiye Nee Thoodhu Chellayao | ||||||
| Jegam Yaavum Kaadhal Mayame | A. G. Rathnamala | |||||
| 1952 | Theruppaadagan | Tamil | Adivarum Thendralile | G. Ramanathan | Sukumar Productions Limited | |
| 1952 | Velaikaran | Tamil | Enadhullam Neeyarindhe | R. Sudharsanam | Sri Valli Productions | |
| Kaadhalum Poi Aagume | S. Varalakshmi | |||||
| 1954 | Vilayattu Bommai | Tamil | Mohathai Konruvidu | T. G. Lingappa | Sukumar Productions Limited | |
| Theertha Karaiyinile | ||||||
| Inba Vaanil Ulaavum | Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi | |||||
| Mullaimalar Kodiyin Nizhalile | ||||||
| Vidhikku Manidhane | ||||||
| 1958 | Maalaiyitta Mangai | Tamil | Vengiyum Kumari…. Engal Draavida Ponnaadu | Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy | Kannadasan Films | |
| Sillendru Pootha.... Senthamizh Thenmozhiyaal | ||||||
| Naanandri Yaar Varuvaar | A. P. Komala | |||||
| Thingal Mudi Soodum | ||||||
| 1959 | Manimekalai | Tamil | Kanngalin Vennilave | G. Ramanathan | P. Bhanumathi | Shekhar Art Film |
| Aandavan Thamizhanada | ||||||
| Unnai Kaana Engum | ||||||
| Aanndavan Padaippinile Naan Kannda | ||||||
| 1959 | Abalai Anjugam | Tamil | Ilaiya Kanniyin Azhagiya Vadhanam | K. V. Mahadevan | S. Janaki | Parthiban Productions |
| Vennile Kudai Pidikka | P. Susheela | |||||
| Pirapokkum Ellaa Uyirkum | ||||||
| Ikkaraikku Akkarai Pachai | ||||||
| Thoondil Poattu Izhutha | ||||||
| Pazhikaara Ulagamadaa Idhu | ||||||
| Nal Vazhiye Nadandhu | ||||||
| 1959 | Amudhavalli | Tamil | Aadai Katti Vandha Nilavo | Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy | P. Susheela | Jupiter Pictures |
| Kannirandum Ondrai Ondru | ||||||
| Aadalama Nalam Aadalama | P. Leela | |||||
| Pitham Theliya Marundhondru | ||||||
| Paasaththaal Enai Eendra | ||||||
| Iyal Isai Naadaga Kalaiyaale | S. C. Krishnan | |||||
| Kaalam Enum Oru Aazha Kadalinil | P. Susheela | |||||
| 1960 | Aadavantha Deivam | Tamil | Aasai Kondaen Amudhamae | K. V. Mahadevan | Majestic Studios | |
| Kodi Kodi Inbam Peravae | ||||||
| Sangam Muzhangivarum Singaara | P. Susheela | |||||
| Sottu Sottunu Sottudhu Paaru | P. Susheela | |||||
| Kodi Kodi Inbam Peravae | P. Susheela | |||||
| 1960 | Kavalai Illaadha Manithan | Tamil | Naan Deivama Illai Nee Deivama | Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy | Kannadasan Films | |
| 1960 | Rathinapuri Ilavarasi | Tamil | Padikka Padikka Nenjil Inikkum | Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy | S. Janaki | Sri Vinayaga Pictures |
| Kaadhalukku Naanku Kanngal | ||||||
| En Endru Ketkave Aalillai | ||||||
| 1960 | Thanthaikku Pin Thamaiyan | Tamil | Inbam Malarum Anbile | K. V. Mahadevan | Surya Films | |
| Kaaviriyin Neeraadi Kalai Valarkkum | ||||||
| Yeru Pondra Thamizh Magane | ||||||
| Otrumaiyaal Vetriyelaam | ||||||
| Kulungi Vizhum Maaligaiyil | ||||||
| 1961 | Ennai Paar | Tamil | Kaatchiyum Neethan Karpaniyum Neethan | T. G. Lingappa | S. Janaki | Pazhaniyappa Productions |
| Edhirkondu Varaverkkudhe | S. Janaki | |||||
| Dhasaradha Raaja Kumaaraa Alangaaraa | ||||||
| 1961 | Sri Valli | Tamil | Karpaga Cholaiyile | G. Ramanathan | RR Pictures | |
| Thandhaikku Annaalil Mandhiratthai | ||||||
| Mogana Punnagaiyil Enakkoru Mogam | ||||||
| Gnana Pazhame Mei Gnana Pazhame | ||||||
| Unakkagave Pirandha Azhagan | ||||||
| 1963 | Pannaiyar Magan (Unreleased) | Tamil | Kalaivaani Kalyaani Unmeni | G. Ramanathan | P. Susheela | RA Pictures |
| Tamil Naattu Palagaaram | ||||||
| 1965 | Thiruvilayadal | Tamil | Illaadhathondrillai Eellaamum Nee | K. V. Mahadevan | Sri Vijayalakshmi Pictures | |
| Isai Thamizh Nee Seidha | ||||||
| 1971 | Agathiyar | Tamil | Aandavan Dharisaname Mei Adiyar | Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan | Sri Vijayalakshmi Pictures | |
| Isaiyai Thamizhai Iruppavane | Seerkazhi Govindarajan | |||||
| Malainindra Thirukumaraa | ||||||
| Muzhu Mudhar Porule | ||||||
| Namachivaya Ena | Seerkazhi Govindarajan | |||||
| 1971 | Ilangeswaran | Tamil | Dhasaradha Raajakumaaraa | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | Shashti Pictures | |
| 1971 | Kannan Karunai | Tamil | Eno Unakkindha Maayajaalam | S. V. Venkatraman | P. Susheela | |
| Inbavalli Vaazh Vidharba Naattai | T. M. Soundararajan | |||||
| Thaamarai Idhazh Kannan | P. Susheela | |||||
| 1972 | Thiruneelakandar | Tamil | Nattiya Kalai | C. N. Pandurangan | Sudarkodi Films | |
| Ambalavaananai Nambiya | ||||||
| Kadalil Vizhuntha Or Kakkai | ||||||
| Thaayae Thandhaiyae | ||||||
| Etthanai Per Unnakku | ||||||
| Sivaleelai En Veettila | ||||||
| Aandavan Thaan Vanthu | ||||||
| Pantha Pasa Kattukulle | S. Janaki | |||||
| 1973 | Rajaraja Cholan | Tamil | Thanjai Periya Koyil | Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan | Seerkazhi Govindarajan & S. Varalakshmi | Sri Vijayalakshmi Pictures |
| Thendralodu Udanpiranthaal | Sivaji Ganesan (dialogues) | |||||
| 1973 | Thirumalai Deivam | Tamil | Thiruvarul Tharum Dheivam | Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan | Shanthi Combines | |
| 1977 | Sri Krishna Leela | Tamil | Naaranane Unadhu | S. V. Venkatraman | Venus – Vahini Studios |
- Nandanaar
References
- "Thanthaiyin Kadanai Adaiththa Magal!". The Hindu (Tamil). 19 June 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2019.