The singing legend of Tamil film world is no more. Born Thouguluva Meenakshi Iyengar Soundararajan in Madurai on March 24, 1923, he breathed his last in Chennai on Saturday after a brief illness. Here, TMS, as he was popularly known, is seen with his wife at a function. Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam.
The 'Evergreen' singer recorded a song with P. Susheela and music director M.S. Viswanathan after many years at the Kothandapani Studio in Chennai in December 2008. The duo sang together for innumerable films for many years. Photo: S.S. Kumar
A hallmark of the singer was his easy adaptibility to suit the voices of Thespian Sivaji Ganesan and the inimitable MGR, so much so that he was the undisputed king of playback singing for years together. In this April 2007 photo, TMS teams up with music director M.S.Viswanathan for an 'Old Melodies' programme organised by AIR in Chennai. Photo: S.S. Kumar.
Voice modulation being his forte, the veteran has sung for more than one artiste in a particular song in films such as “Bama Vijayam”. In this September 2011 photo, TMS graces the Film Fans Association's 60th Annual Awards function in Chennai with his wife. Actor Anjali Devi and director 'Chitralaya' Gopu are with him. Photo: R. Shivaji Rao
His first song for Sivaji Ganesan was Thookku Thookki in 1954 with the hit number 'Pengalai nambathey, kangale pengalai nambathey ...' In this December 2003 photo, TMS is felicitated by Naushad Ali, at a function of the Indian Performing Rights Society in Chennai. Also seen are music director T.K. Ramamurthy and actor Khusboo. Photo: R. Raghu.
TMS also sang for actors such as Jaishankar, Vijayakanth and Rajnikanth. His song 'Iravum varum, pagalum varum, ulagam ondrudhan...' became a huge hit with the masses. In this October 2005 photo, Dasari Narayana Rao (second from right) Minister for Coal & Mines, presents the Sivaji Ganesan Memorial Award to the singer in Chennai. Others in the picture are (L to R) Ramkumar, Vijay, Prabu, Rajinikanth and P.Vasu. Photo: R. Raghu.
A household name in the State, T.M. Sounderarajan was a recipient of Padma Shri in 2003. Here TMS is seen in the company of Music directors Vidyasagar and M.S. Viswanathan. Photo: K. V. Srinivasan
Among the several awards that came his way was the Tamil Nadu Government’s ’Kalaimamani’ award. Here, TMS recieves a trophy and a gold coin from Raj T.V. Directors to mark the "Tamil Cinema 75" function in the city in June 2006. Photo: R.Shivaji Rao
TMS was unrivalled in Tamil playback singing till 1968. He has even sung two songs with actor-turned Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. In this April 2009 photo, M S Viswanathan, TMS, Balamurali Krishna, T. K. Ramamurthi and Mu Ka Mu Arivunidhi gather for the Padmavathy Ammaiyar Charitable & Educational Trust inauguration in Chennai. Photo: M. Karunakaran.
TMS got his first break in playback singing with Krishnavijayam in 1950. He was also known for his soul-stirring devotional songs, especially on Lord Muruga, with his most famous ‘Ullam uruguthayya’ (The heart melts) instantly evoking devotion even today. Photo: S.S. Kumar.
Not many know that T.M. Soundararajan played the lead in the 1964 mythology film 'Arunagirinathar'. The film is remembered for the brilliant music, particularly the tongue-twisting hymn ‘Muthai Tharu…’. He created history by recording it in a single ‘take’! The song is one of the immortal melodies of Tamil Cinema.
TMS captured the hearts of Tamil cineastes for many decades with his mellifluous voice and continues to attract many new listeners through his ever green songs. Photo: R. Shivaji Rao