Music directors Ilayaraja and A.R. Rahman, who once worked with M.S. Viswanathan, explained how the music of late maestro shaped them.
“I could be a music director only by closely watching and listening to the great techniques introduced by M.S. Viswanthan in film music,” Mr Ilayaraja said.
“MSV was among those who created recurring magic in Tamil film music,” said Oscar-winning composer Rahman, who once was the keyboard artiste for MSV.
Mr. Ilayaraja said there was no one who had understood the music talents of MSV. Mr. Ilayaraja first played the organ for MSV in the film ‘Avalukkendru Oru Manam’. The song was Malar Ethu Kankal Than and later he worked with him for composing background music for a few of films.
Mr. Ilayaraja said MSV’s songs created a tremendous impact on the people and he was the manifestation of the impact.
Regretting that politicians failed to acknowledge the contribution of artistes when they were alive, Mr. Ilayaraja said MSV had never sought any recognition from the government.
“But Chief Minister Jayalalithaa personally organised a function to honour MSV and her gesture is highly appreciable,” he said, adding that he had arranged for motcha deepam in Tiruvannamalai for MSV.
Sharing his thoughts on MSV with The Hindu via email, Mr. Rahman said: “MSV and Ramamoothy, Kannadasan, Vaali, P. Susheela, TMS and P.B. Srinivas were all part of the recipe for recurring magic in the songs of 1960s and 1970s. They have done work which is inimitable.”
Special relationship
Observing that they had a keen following till date, he said: “I believe in some places people have still not moved on to other music than this. And stayed in their zone.” Mr. Rahman and MSV shared a very special relationship. He also sang for Mr. Rahman in the films ‘Sangamam’ and ‘Kannathil Muthamittal,’ the latter featuring the haunting number Vidaikodu engal naade . Following MSV’s passing away on Tuesday, Mr. Rahman had tweeted: “MSV took us to deepest core of Tamil & colorful melodies over past 40 yrs. We’ve lost our beloved melodic genius. May almighty bless his soul.”
