T.M.SOUNDARARAJAN - MAN WITH A METALLIC VOICE

Thuguluva Meenatchi Iyengar Sounderarajan (March 24, 1922 - May 25, 2013) was a Playback Singer  in theTamil Film Industry for over six decades. T. M. Soundararajan was born in a Sourashtra community inMadurai.He had been training his voice since he was 7 years old. He first studied carnatic music from Chinnakonda Sarangapani Bhagavathar, a music teacher from Sourashtra High School, Madurai. Later, he learnt carnatic music from Arayakkudi Rajamani Iyengar and started giving stage concerts at the age of 23.He gave his voice to a galaxy of actors and thespians in the South Indian film industry ,Most prominent among them are M.G.Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan,the two Ikons of Tamil Cinema .He is popularly known as TMS.He has sung over 10000 film songs and 3000 devotional songs.
     His voice was initially rejected.He used to follow the footsteps of M.K.Thyagaraja Bagavathar.  In 1946, S.M.Subbiah Naidu gave TMS an opportunity to sing five songs in the style of M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar for the film  Krishna Vijayam. Though the songs were noted since 1946, the film was released only in 1950. One of his songs in  that movie, "Raathey Ennai Vittu Odathedi" became a hit.  In 1954,Maruthakasi recommended TMS to sing in Aruna Pictures Thooku Thookki.

Till then C.S.Jeyaraman used to sing playback for Sivaji Ganesan and Sivaji doubted the suitability of his voice. But TMS offered to sing three songs free. TMS and Sivaji Ganesan were introduced to each other and in the short conversation that followed TMS studied the voice of Sivaji Ganesan. TMS sang "Sundari Soundari" and "Eratha Malaithaniley", closely imitating the voice of Sivaji Ganesan. G.Ramanathan who was the music director for that film was so pleased that he gave TMS the chance to sing all the songs for Sivaji Ganesan in that production. All the songs went on to become great hits launching TMS to stardom. Anybody watching Sivaji's songs will surely feel that he himself is singing the song.T.M.S 's voice suited him in that way.

    

He got a hance to sing the song "Konjum Kiliyana Pennai" in the movie Koondukilli,the only movie in which MGR and Sivaji Ganesan acted together.MGR heard the song and was so impressed that he want TMS to sing for him in his next movie Malaikallan.Then came the famous song,First song TMS sang for MGR 'Ethanai Kaalam Than' .Then there is no looking back for him.
        He is a role model for each and every singer in India.His Tamil pronounciation and Expressions are unbeatable that no one ever and never can beat him.  Legendary north Indian playback singer Mohd Rafi was an ardent fan of TMS. When TMS sang the song "Orayiram Parvalyile" from the film "Vallabhnukku Vallabhan" in a stage show at Bombay,Mohd Rafi embraced TMS and commented:-"You born for singing,your expression and feelings in the song is very effective". Mohd Rafi sang the Hindi version of that song "Sauw Bharu Zanam Denghe" in the film "Ustadonghe Ustad".Indian Government honoured him with PadmaShri in the year 2013.HE LIVES IN OUR HEART,FOREVER....

         Here is a Sincere dedication from our side,A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO THE LEGENDS T.M.Soundararajan and Sivaji Ganesan.Song KAL ELLAM MANICKA KAL AAGUMA From the Movie Aalayamani.Remixed and rendered by Dhivyaraja Mazan.Recorded ,Mixed and Mastered at D STUDIO RECORDING STUDIO IN CHENNAI