MS Viswanathan, a popular music composer of South Indian cinema passed away on 14 July 2015 in Chennai. He was 87.
He was being treated for geriatric disorders i.e. old-age related ailments. Also he had lost his memory. He was somewhat recovering but from past few days his situation was not good.
M S Viswanathan (fondly called MSV) was born in Palakkad in Kerala and composed songs for more than 1,200 films in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu. He was popularly known as ‘king of light music’ (Mellisai Mannar). “Sonnathu Needhana” (Nenjil Oru Alayam), “Viswanathan Velai Vendum” (Kadalikka Neram Illai), “Kettavarellam Padalam” (Thangai) are among MSV’s all time favourites that are still popular in Tamil Nadu.
He composed music for 86 Tamil films with fellow composer T K Ramamurthy. He also worked with legendary filmmaker K Balachander and produced hit music for his films.
He also worked in some Malayalam films. But he could not make a good career in acting.
He has received many music awards including Kakamamani award and the Thirai Isai Chakravarthy (Tamil for “The Emperor of Cine Music”) by Tamil Nadu Government.
His wife died in 2012 and he is survived by four sons and three daughters.
The Tamil cinema industry has described MSV’s death as an irreparable loss.