M. S. Viswanathan Biography 
M. S. Viswanathan is the Indian music writer who concentrated in Tamil films. He is affectionately called as Mellisai Mannar. He is working in the music industry for the past five decades in the films of Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam languages.
He was born on 24th June 1928 in Elappully village in Palakkad in Kerala in a Malayali family. His parents are Subramanian and Narayanikutty. His father died when he was just four years old. He was left in utter poverty and sold refreshments in the movie theater to make up his living. He learned music from Neelakanda Bhagavathar. His first performance on stage was in Trivandrum at his age of 13.
He met T. K. Ramamoorthy who is a voilinist and worked with C. R. Subburaman. When C. R. Subburaman died unexpectedly, he worked with Ramamoorthy to complete the songs of the films Devadas and Kadhal. They two formed an alliance and started to work together. The first movie together was Panam.
He and his partner T. K. Ramamoorthy were given the title of Mellisai Mannar on 16th June 1963 by Sivaji Ganesan at the Madras Triplicane Cultural Academy. They both collectively were called as Mellisai Mannargal. After the release of Aayirathil Oruvan on 9th July 1965, they started to work individually. After a time period of 29 years they again joined together in 1995 for the film Engirundho Vanthan for Sathyaraj.
He had worked with many other music directors such as Shankar Ganesh, Gangai Amaran, Ilayaraaja, A. R. Rahman, etc. He worked with Ilayaraaja in the films Mella Thiranthathu Kathavu, Senthamizh Paatu, Vishwa Thulsi and Senthamizh Selvi.
Some of the films that he composed music are Aalayamani, Apoorva Raagangal, Aandavan Kattalai, Bale Pandiya, Bharatha Vilas, Billa, Deivamagan, Enga Veettu Pillai, Galatta Kalyanam, Moondru Mudichu, Mohammed Bin Thuklak, Nan Avan Illai, Ninaithaale Inikkum, Nenjam Marappadhillai, Ooty Varai Uravu, Paadha Kaanikkai, Paar Magale Paar, Paarthal Pasi Theerum, Paasamalar, Pattikkaadaa Pattnama, Pudhiya Paarvai, Poova Thalaiya, Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban, Varumaiyin Niram Sivappu, etc.
He received Kalaimamani Award by Government of Tamil Nadu, Doctorate Degree by Sathyabama University in 2006, Paramacharya Award and many more awards.
Published: N/A
Updated: November 20, 2013
