T. G. Lingappa

T.G. Lingappa was the second son and had learned music from his father G. Govindarajulu Naidu. His family stayed in Thiruchi. This is where M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar (MKT) used to sing in their house and G. Govindarajulu Naidu introduced MKT to his children. G. Govindarajulu was a harmonium player in special dramas, but was also known as the one who taught music for K. B. Sundarambal. He also sold musical instruments and gramophone in Thiruchi, but the business was not doing very well. T. G. Lingappa had learned to play several musical instruments. In 1940, G. Govindarajulu Naidu took his family to Madras to look for greener pasture there.

At the age of 14, Lingappa tried to act in the film Kamathenu which was produced by Visvanathan. Instead Visvanathan had asked Lingappa to sing and to remain with him for sometime to given chance. He stayed a few months and when it is not fruitful and then moved on. Since he is able to play musical instruments, he then joined the Mayoora Film Orchestra and played harmonium, mandoline and guitar. This orchestra used to play music for films and gramophone. It sis to be noted that Lingappa played instruments for Ashok Kumar (1941) and he was earning salary of ₹30 monthly .

In the same year Lingappa approached Gemini Studios to try his luck. C. Ramchandra was working there with other older artistes. But Lingappa was rejected due to his young age. Not giving up, Lingappa proceeded to Salem to try his chance in Modern Theatres when music director T. A. Kalyanam invited him. There Lingappa met T. R. Pappa and K. V. Mahadevan. It was the time during the 1940s where everyone was circumambulating all available studios for opportunities.

In 1945, Lingappa returned to Madras and worked under R. Sudarsanam in the Pragathy Studios and he played instruments in the film Sri Valli (1945). Lingappa went to Karakkudi to play musical instruments when AVM Productions made Nam Iruvar (1947). In 1948, he returned to Madras and worked under C. R. Subburaman. All these experience under different renowned music directors had sparked an idea to be a freelance musician. He went on to purchase modern instruments from abroad, especially London where he bought the electric guitar. Lingappa was well capable of playing the guitar. Music directors G. Ramanathan, S. V. Venkatraman and K. V. Mahadevan had used Lingappa for several of their songs. From then on Lingappa was playing many instruments under all the leading music directors.

He worked with singers like T. M. Soundararajan, A. M. Rajah, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, V. N. Sundaram, S. C. Krishnan, M. L. Vasanthakumari, P. Leela, Jikki, T. V. Rathinam, A. P. Komala, Radha Jayalakshmi, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, K. Jamuna Rani, P. Susheela, K. Rani and S. Janaki.

The singing actors M. M. Dandapani Desikar, T. R. Mahalingam, K. R. Ramaswamy, U. R. Jeevarathinam, N. S. Krishnan, T. A. Madhuram and J. P. Chandrababu also sang memorable songs under his compositions.

Vaazhviley Oru Naal (1956) produced by T. S. Venkataswami who is the husband of U. R. Jeevarathinam. In this movie Lingappa there is a duet Thendrale Varaayo Inba Sugam Tharayo by T. M. Soundararajan and U. R. Jeevarathinam.

It is said by Lingappa himself that there are at least two songs that he composed, but came to be used by other music directors. One is Kunguma Poove which J. P. Chandrababu learnt under Lingappa and sang for S. M. Subbaiah Naidu in Maragatham (1959). The other is the song Putham Puthu Meni by Balamurali Krishna and P. Susheela in Subathinam.

Some compositions of T. G. Lingappa:

• Oh.. Jegamathil Inbam Thaan Varuvathu Ethanaale from Mohanasundaram by T. R. Mahalingam and S. Varalakshmi
• Paattu Venumaa from Mohanasundaram by T. R. Mahalingam
• Amuthai Pozhiyum Nilavey from Thangamalai Ragasiyam by P. Susheela
• Thendrale Varaayo Inba Sugam Tharayo from Vaazhviley Oru Naal by T. M. Soundararajan and U. R. Jeevarathinam
• Onnuley Irunthu 20 Varaikkum Kondattam from Mudhal Thethi by N. S. Krishnan
• Thunbam Varumbothu Nagaithiduvaai from Mudhal Thethi by M. M. Dandapani Desikar
• Vennilaavum Vaanum Pol from Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachaari by Radha Jayalakshmi
• Kaviyin Kanavil Vaazhum Oviyame from Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachaari by V. N. Sundaram
• Athimadhura Anuraga from Engal Kudumbam Perisu by A. M. Rajah and K. Jamuna Rani
• Radha Madhava Vinodha Radha from Engal Kudumbam Perisu by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela
• Chithitram Pesuthadi from Shabash Meena by Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
• En Arumai Kathalikku Vennilave from Ellorum Innattu Mannar by T. M. Soundararajan
• Asaiyil Oonjalil Adiduvom from Kuzhandaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu by Jikki and A. P. Komala
• Kadhal Ullam Kavarntha Neeye from Sangilithevan by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Leela

• Vijaya Bhaskar
• M. Ranga Rao
• G. K. Venkatesh
• Rajan-Nagendra
• Upendra Kumar

• Tamil article on T. G. Lingappa
• Myriad Music Composers of the Last Century in My Movie Minutes