T. R. Mahalingam (actor)

Thenkarai Ramakrishna Mahalingam (16 June 1924 - 21 April 1978)[1] born in Sholavandan Thenkarai was an Indian film actor, singer and music composer of the 1940s and 1950s. He was known for his melodious songs mostly based on romantic or devotional themes.

T. R. Mahalingam in 1950s

Early days

Mahalingam's career as an actor and singer began since his childhood. He regularly appeared in stage plays popularly called special dramas. Mahalingam trained as a singer during the time when microphones and amplifiers were rarely present in performance halls. His music training, like those of singers S. G. Kittappa, Krishnan, M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and to a large extent TMS, stressed voice projection and singing loud so as to be audible in large auditoriums. So it was that in 1933, when the prominent singer Kittappa died at the early age of 28, Mahalingam got his first break in films..

Acting

In 1937, at the age of 14, Mahalingam got the chance to appear in the film Nandakumar, the third film produced by AVM. The film was based on the story of Lord Krishna wherein Mahalingam was chosen to play the lead role. The film failed at the box office in all the three languages (Tamil, Hindi and Marathi) in which it was made. Nevertheless, it received great accolades for its songs.

Mahalingam got his big break in the film Sri Valli made at the height of the Second World War, in which he played the part of Lord Murugan. The film did well at the box-office and established Mahalingam's reputation as both an actor and a singer.

Music composers he sang for

Many music directors gave him memorable songs, including S. V. Venkatraman, K. V. Mahadevan, Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, G. Ramanathan, Sharma Brothers, T. A. Kalyanam, C. N. Pandurangan, Lalitha Venkatraman, T. Rajagopala Sarma, C. R. Subburaman, T. G. Lingappa, S. Rajeswara Rao, R. Sudharsanam, and Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan.

Playback singers he sang with

While Mahalingam had many solo hit songs, he also sang with other singers.

He sang the most number of duets with S. Varalakshmi.

He also sang duets with other female singers: P. A. Periyanayaki, T. R. Rajakumari, P. Bhanumathi, T. V. Rathinam, A. P. Komala, Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, T. S. Bagavathi, S. Janaki, P. Leela and P. Suseela.

He was also paired to sing with male singers such as Seerkazhi Govindarajan and S. C. Krishnan.

Filmography

YearFilmLanguageSongMusicCo-SingerBanner
1938NandhakumarTamilS. V. VenkatramanAVM Productions
1939PrahaladhaTamilSharma BrothersSalem Sankar Films
1940Bhooloka RambaiTamilG. RamanathanSalem Shanmugha Films & Vijaya Maruthi Pictures
1940ParasuramarTamilG. Ramanathan
1940Sathi MuraliTamilCentral Studios
1941DayalanTamilEnake Jayam KidaithathuveModern Theatres
Parimala MihuvanaN. V. Krishnan
1942ManonmaniTamilT. A. Kalyanam & K. V. MahadevanModern Theatres
1943Dhaasippen or Jothi MalarTamilLalitha Venkatraman & S. Rajeswara RaoBhuvaneshwari Pictures
1945Sri ValliTamilKaayadha Kaanagatthe.... Mevaadha MaanT. Rajagopala Sarma & R. SudharsanamAVM Productions
PremayaladheyP. A. Periyanayaki
Na Dhi Dha Dhim
Singaara Rooba AalngaariP. A. Periyanayaki
1947Nam IruvarTamilIga Vaazhvinile AanandhamR. SudharsanamT. S. BagavathiAVM Productions
Solai MalaroliyoT. S. Bagavathi
Jega Meedhile Mei KaadhalthaaneT. S. Bagavathi
Devaamudha Mozhiyaale
Viduthalai Viduthalai Viduthalai
Kodaiyile Ilaipaatrikolla
1948Gnana SoundariTamilKaadhalitthaalum Inbam MelaamS. V. VenkatramanP. A. PeriyanayakiCitadel Films
Mana MohananeP. A. Periyanayaki
Mannile Kadalil
Arunothayaanandhame
Vanithamaniye Mounameno
Jegamel Naan Ini Bhagyavaane
Vaazhvinil En Uyir Vadivaana
1948Vedhala UlagamTamilSenthamizh Naadennum PodhinileR. SudharsanamAVM Productions
Kalviyil Sirandha Thamizh Nadu
Mahaasugitha Rooba Sundhari
Aadhi Paraasakthi
Satthiyam Seidhu Tharuven
Un Manam Kalangaadho
Dhayai Purivai
Sendhazhavum VennilaveT. S. Bagavathi
1948Adhithan KanavuTamilMadhuramaana RusiyullatheG. RamanathanSoolamangalam JayalakshmiModern Theatres
1949PavalakkodiTamilAnnam VaangalaiyoC. R. SubburamanPakshiraja Studios
Arjuna Mahaaraajan
1949MayavathiTamilPennenum Maaya Peyaam Poi MaadharaiG. RamanathanModern Theatres
Maane En Prema RaaniM. L. Vasanthakumari
Manamohiniye Unnai Maravene
Sadhaa Un Haasyamevum
1949InbavalliTamilInbamana Mohini MaaneG. RamanathanP. LeelaShyamala Pictures
Natha En AasaiT. V. Rathnam
Anbe Perum NidhiyeP. A. Periyanayaki
Eno Innum Vara
1950Laila MajnuTamilVaruvaaro Maangkuyile SolS. V. VenkatramanT. S. BagavathiBalaji Pictures
Sanjalak Kadalile.... Yaar Poi Solluvar
Paaril Anaathi Naanallave
Ezhil Vaanil Vilaiyaaduvome
Parandhu Selludhe En Paingkili
Anudhinam SandoshamakaveT. S. Bagavathi
Paingiliye Mano RaaginiT. S. Bagavathi
Vanna Maane Un Ninaivaale
Maadharase Mayile
Paavi Ennai PoloruvarT. S. Bagavathi
1950ParijathamTamilVaan NilaveS. V. Venkatraman & C. R. SubburamanT. V. RathnamLavanya Pictures
Porumaiyae Inbam Tharum
1950Ithaya GeethamTamilVaanulaavum Thaarai NeeS. V. VenkatramanT. R. RajakumariCitadel Films
Odi Vaa Venmugil PoleT. R. Rajakumari
Aaasai Kiliyai Azhaithu Vaaraai Thendrale
Jeyame Ini Mele Bayamillai IniK. Sarangkapani
1950Macha RekaiTamilOdatheC. R. SubburamanS. VaralakshmiSukumar Productions Limited
1950SukumarTamilSukumar Productions Limited
1951Mohana SundaramTamilO Jagamadhil InbamT. G. LingappaS. VaralakshmiSukumar Productions Limited
Pulli MaanaippolaS. Varalakshmi
Kanneer ThaanoS. Varalakshmi
Kanavilum Unnai Maraven
Paattu Venuma Oru Paattu
Ninaivellam Neeya
1952Chinna DuraiTamilNilave Neethan OruT. G. LingappaSukumar Productions Limited
Thiraiye Nee Thoodhu Chellayao
Jegam Yaavum Kaadhal MayameA. G. Rathnamala
1952TheruppaadaganTamilAdivarum ThendralileG. RamanathanSukumar Productions Limited
1952VelaikaranTamilEnadhullam NeeyarindheR. SudharsanamSri Valli Productions
Kaadhalum Poi AagumeS. Varalakshmi
1954Vilayattu BommaiTamilMohathai KonruviduT. G. LingappaSukumar Productions Limited
Theertha Karaiyinile
Inba Vaanil UlaavumSoolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Mullaimalar Kodiyin Nizhalile
Vidhikku Manidhane
1958Maalaiyitta MangaiTamilVengiyum Kumari…. Engal Draavida PonnaaduViswanathan-RamamoorthyKannadasan Films
Sillendru Pootha.... Senthamizh Thenmozhiyaal
Naanandri Yaar VaruvaarA. P. Komala
Thingal Mudi Soodum
1959ManimekalaiTamilKanngalin VennilaveG. RamanathanP. BhanumathiShekhar Art Film
Aandavan Thamizhanada
Unnai Kaana Engum
Aanndavan Padaippinile Naan Kannda
1959Abalai AnjugamTamilIlaiya Kanniyin Azhagiya VadhanamK. V. MahadevanS. JanakiParthiban Productions
Vennile Kudai PidikkaP. Susheela
Pirapokkum Ellaa Uyirkum
Ikkaraikku Akkarai Pachai
Thoondil Poattu Izhutha
Pazhikaara Ulagamadaa Idhu
Nal Vazhiye Nadandhu
1959AmudhavalliTamilAadai Katti Vandha NilavoViswanathan-RamamoorthyP. SusheelaJupiter Pictures
Kannirandum Ondrai Ondru
Aadalama Nalam AadalamaP. Leela
Pitham Theliya Marundhondru
Paasaththaal Enai Eendra
Iyal Isai Naadaga KalaiyaaleS. C. Krishnan
Kaalam Enum Oru Aazha KadalinilP. Susheela
1960Aadavantha DeivamTamilAasai Kondaen AmudhamaeK. V. MahadevanMajestic Studios
Kodi Kodi Inbam Peravae
Sangam Muzhangivarum SingaaraP. Susheela
Sottu Sottunu Sottudhu PaaruP. Susheela
Kodi Kodi Inbam PeravaeP. Susheela
1960Kavalai Illaadha ManithanTamilNaan Deivama Illai Nee DeivamaViswanathan-RamamoorthyKannadasan Films
1960Rathinapuri IlavarasiTamilPadikka Padikka Nenjil InikkumViswanathan-RamamoorthyS. JanakiSri Vinayaga Pictures
Kaadhalukku Naanku Kanngal
En Endru Ketkave Aalillai
1960Thanthaikku Pin ThamaiyanTamilInbam Malarum AnbileK. V. MahadevanSurya Films
Kaaviriyin Neeraadi Kalai Valarkkum
Yeru Pondra Thamizh Magane
Otrumaiyaal Vetriyelaam
Kulungi Vizhum Maaligaiyil
1961Ennai PaarTamilKaatchiyum Neethan Karpaniyum NeethanT. G. LingappaS. JanakiPazhaniyappa Productions
Edhirkondu VaraverkkudheS. Janaki
Dhasaradha Raaja Kumaaraa Alangaaraa
1961Sri ValliTamilKarpaga CholaiyileG. RamanathanRR Pictures
Thandhaikku Annaalil Mandhiratthai
Mogana Punnagaiyil Enakkoru Mogam
Gnana Pazhame Mei Gnana Pazhame
Unakkagave Pirandha Azhagan
1963Pannaiyar Magan
(Unreleased)
TamilKalaivaani Kalyaani UnmeniG. RamanathanP. SusheelaRA Pictures
Tamil Naattu Palagaaram
1965ThiruvilayadalTamilIllaadhathondrillai Eellaamum NeeK. V. MahadevanSri Vijayalakshmi Pictures
Isai Thamizh Nee Seidha
1971AgathiyarTamilAandavan Dharisaname Mei AdiyarKunnakkudi VaidyanathanSri Vijayalakshmi Pictures
Isaiyai Thamizhai IruppavaneSeerkazhi Govindarajan
Malainindra Thirukumaraa
Muzhu Mudhar Porule
Namachivaya EnaSeerkazhi Govindarajan
1971IlangeswaranTamilDhasaradha RaajakumaaraaS. M. Subbaiah NaiduShashti Pictures
1971Kannan KarunaiTamilEno Unakkindha MaayajaalamS. V. VenkatramanP. Susheela
Inbavalli Vaazh Vidharba NaattaiT. M. Soundararajan
Thaamarai Idhazh KannanP. Susheela
1972ThiruneelakandarTamilNattiya KalaiC. N. PanduranganSudarkodi Films
Ambalavaananai Nambiya
Kadalil Vizhuntha Or Kakkai
Thaayae Thandhaiyae
Etthanai Per Unnakku
Sivaleelai En Veettila
Aandavan Thaan Vanthu
Pantha Pasa KattukulleS. Janaki
1973Rajaraja CholanTamilThanjai Periya KoyilKunnakkudi VaidyanathanSeerkazhi Govindarajan & S. VaralakshmiSri Vijayalakshmi Pictures
Thendralodu UdanpiranthaalSivaji Ganesan (dialogues)
1973Thirumalai DeivamTamilThiruvarul Tharum DheivamKunnakkudi VaidyanathanShanthi Combines
1977Sri Krishna LeelaTamilNaaranane UnadhuS. V. VenkatramanVenus – Vahini Studios
  • Nandanaar

References

  1. "Thanthaiyin Kadanai Adaiththa Magal!". The Hindu (Tamil). 19 June 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
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