T. R. Mahalingam (actor)

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T. R. Mahalingam in 1950s

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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. Sudarsanam, and Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan.

Playback singers he sang with[edit]

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[edit]

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. Sudarsanam AVM Productions
Premayaladhey P. A. Periyanayaki
Na Dhi Dha Dhim
Singaara Rooba Aalngaari P. A. Periyanayaki
1947 Nam Iruvar Tamil Iga Vaazhvinile Aanandham R. Sudarsanam 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. Sudarsanam 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. Sudarsanam 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[edit]

  1. "Thanthaiyin Kadanai Adaiththa Magal!". The Hindu (Tamil). 19 June 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
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