M. L. Vasanthakumari

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Madras Lalithangi Vasanthakumari மெ���்ராஸ் லலிதாங்கி வசந்தகுமாரி
MLV in late 1940s
Background information
Born	(1928-07-03)3 July 1928 Madras, Madras Presidency, British India
Died	31 October 1990(1990-10-31) (aged 62) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Genres	Carnatic music – Indian Classical Music and Playback singing
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1942 – 1990
Labels	HMV, EMI, RPG, AVM Audio, Inreco, Vani, Amutham Inc, Doordarshan, Super Audio, Geethanjali, Kosmic Music, Charsur Digital Workshop etc.

Madras Lalitangi Vasanthakumari (popularly referred to as MLV) (3 July 1928 – 31 October 1990) was a Carnatic musician and playback singer for film songs in many Indian languages. MLV and her contemporaries D. K. Pattammal and M. S. Subbulakshmi are popularly referred to as the female trinity of Carnatic Music.^[1] A prime disciple of G. N. Balasubramaniam, she was the youngest among the established musicians of that era, and was the youngest female awardee of the Sangita Kalanidhi award.^[2]

As well as being a much sought-after playback singer for films, MLV popularised unfamiliar ragas and her Ragam Thanam Pallavis were considered cerebral.^[3] Additionally, she popularised the compositions of the Haridasas. Her most famous disciples include Srividya (her daughter), Sudha Raghunathan, Charumathi Ramachandran, A. Kanyakumari, , , Rose Muralikrishnan, and .^[4]

Early life[]

MLV was born to a musical family. Her father, Kuthanur Ayya Swamy Iyer, was a noted musician while her mother, Lalithangi, was also a great musician.^[5] When Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das (1870–1925) died in 1925, Lalithangi came out with a beautiful song by way of tribute to his national spirit and patriotism. A rare gramophone record (made in England) of her glorious voice rendering this song is said to be in V. Sundaram's private possession.

MLV's school education was in Madras, in a convent, where all was set to pursue a medical career until the great Carnatic musician G. N. Balasubramaniam came into her life. He became her guru. In her own words: My parents had rendered yeomen service to Carnatic music. They were mainly instrumental in popularising the compositions of Purandara Dasa in South India. They were not keen that I should enter the music field and gave me general education. But in the musical atmosphere of my house, I had ample opportunity of practising vocal music. Once G. N. Balasubramaniam heard me sing and he prevailed upon my parents to place me under his tutelage. It was he who was responsible for the status I occupy in the music world today.

Learning Carnatic music[]

MLV was very privileged to learn Carnatic music from G. N. Balasubramaniam (GNB). She was also GNB's first disciple. Indira Menon said that GNB was a self-taught artiste, his racy style sparkling with brigas and nuances never heard before, revealed a new range of colours on the musician's palette. The brisk tempo unleashed by his powerful and pliable voice found many admirers and imitators among the younger generations, though it raised many an eyebrow among the senior vidwans. Was his music according to Sampradaya (tradition) or not, was the question that was frequently asked?' To answer, GNB was a genius, so much so that what might have seemed like a deviation from tradition was acceptable from him though it might not have been so from a lesser artiste. His personality, bold innovations and technical virtuosity became an inspiration for an entire generation of musicians. After GNB, speed and briga-laden music became the vogue to the extent that to be true to one's self and to sing according to one's vocal capacity required a great deal of courage.

Performing and recording career[]

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In 1940, M L Vasanthakumaari (MLV)'s mother, Lalithaangi, gave a recital in Shimla and it was then that, by accompanying her mother, M L Vasanthakumaari (MLV), then only 12 years old, made her debut. Two years later, MLV gave a solo recital in Bengaluru. She also cut her first 78 rpm disc, which many music lovers of that period recall vividly because it created a sensation. From then on, her career took on a geometric progression, as a stage artiste, and by 1950 she had established herself as a front-ranker. A learned music critic has said that MLV brought the struggle of women in the world of music to a successful culmination. Her music had more male characteristics than that of any other female musician.

Her own musical style and genius[]

MLV imbibed much of GNB's style, but did not make a fetish of speed and struck out on her own, evolving an inimitable style of her own.^[6] Endowed with a fluid voice and rich imagination, the initials MLV could be an acronym for Melody, Laya and Vidwat, the watchwords of her rare musical artistry that were an aural feast to both the lay person and to the cognoscenti.^[6] Her leisurely, exploratory and adventurous manner of handling the ragas deserves special mention.^{[citation needed]}

While MLV was known more for her cerebral style, rather than her emotional one, this was compensated for by her rich and original manodharma. Similar to GNB, she was a genius in her tricky, instantaneous brilliant manodharma. Indira Menon comments MLV did adopt her Guru's idea of a quick impressionistic sketch of the raga covering the two octaves at the start, but settled down to a reposeful elaboration, unfolding it gradually with her virtuosity in the form of BRIGA - CASCADES appearing only where necessary. She was careful not to carry to an excess what her versatile voice was capable of.

MLV's mastery over vocal techniques was comprehensive and complete. She could effortlessly render several difficult ragas, with her alapana and kalpana swaras, suitably embellished with shruthi-bheda. Her listeners had the same ecstatic experience when she sang and more particularly when in a lightning manner she shifted gracefully from the melodic world of one raga in one pitch to another raga in another pitch. In this context, one has to refer to raga combinations like Shanmukhapriya-Sankarabharanam, Bhairavi-Kamas, Abhogi-Valaji to illustrate this point.

In GNB's own words,"Vasanthi typifies real discipleship – she absorbs all, but presents her own glorious creations."^[7]

Purandaradasa Tradition[]

Lalithangi, MLV's mother, had a vast repertoire of Purandaradasa kritis. She passed on this tradition to her daughter, MLV. As a result, like T. Brinda who brought Kshetrayya Padams to the public platform and M. S. Subbalakshmi who brought Annamacharya kritis to the public arena, MLV popularized the Devaranamas of Purandaradasa.

Sindhubhairavi[]

She popularized the composition 'Kalyana Gopalam', composed by Narayana Teertha, in raga Sindhubhairavi. She also popularized the composition, 'Venkatachala Nilayam' by Purandaradasa in the same raga. Hindustani maestro Bade Ghulam Ali Khan was generous in his praise for her music. Sudha Ragunathan mentions, "MLV Amma has told me that it was Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Saab who taught her the nuances of Sindhu Bhairavi in the Hindustani style."^[3]

Ragam Thanam Pallavi[]

MLV's forte was Ragam Tanam Pallavi, where she not only maintained the great tradition brought to the stage by D. K. Pattammal, but enriched it in her own unique way. A. Kanyakumari who had accompanied MLV on violin for almost two decades says, "MLV akka had a sharp mind and good memory and I have never seen her practice a song or a ragam or for that matter a ragam-tanam-pallavi also before a concert." Sudha Ragunathan, a prime disciple of MLV, remarked that "In all my twelve years of learning under her, I had never seen Amma practicing at home. But, to my great surprise, she would compose a Pallavi in the car on the way to the concert!"^[3]

Playback Singing[]

By 1946, MLV was also a playback singer.^[3] Her first big hit was in the 1951 film Manamagal, where she sang the song Ellam Inbamayam in Ragamalika, and Subramania Bharathiyar's evergreen composition, Chinnanchiru Kiliyae. In the 1960 film Raja Desingu, MLV also sang another Ragamalika, Parkadal Alaimele, which was well received, and later became popular in Bharatha Natyam recitals. In later years, MLV would also sing these songs towards the end of her Carnatic music concerts, and today, many musicians often include them in their repertoire.^[8]

MLV also sang Ayya Saami in the 1951 film, Or Iravu. This song was based on the song Gore Gore from the film Samaadhi, which was in turn based on the Latin American song Chico Chico from Puerto Rico, from the film Cuban Pete. In the 1952 film Thayullam, MLV sang Konjum Purave which was based on the famous Hindi song, Thandi Havayen.^[8]

Other songs MLV sang include Adisayam Vanathu Arivumayam, Senthamarai Kannanae, Vanna Tamizh and Adum Arul Jothi in the films Vikramadithian, Vairamalai and Sornakili. Incidentally, each of these songs contained the raga Kalyani and were also well received.^[8]

MLV sang melodiously the Dashaavataara song for like Munneeta Pavalinchu Naagashayana, while Kamala Kumari danced in a classical way.^[9] She sang for films till 1970.

Personality[]

As one of the top ranking stage artistes, MLV was noted for her charm, grace, warmth, self-restraint and humility. Her self-restraint as an artiste can be understood from her own words: Brigas in fast tempo should adhere to the shruthi and above all, true music must touch the listener's heart. MLV however maintained a philosophy: A concert is a daily test of the caliber of a musician. A slight lapse may let the musician down and a constant vigil is essential.

Accompanists[]

Mridangam maestro Palghat Mani Iyer, in a rare gesture, accompanied her in concerts. MLV helped others including Mannargudi Easwaran, Srimushnam V. Raja Rao, Seerkazhi J. Skandaprasad, Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam, R. Ramesh, Karaikudi Krishnamurthy, G. Harishankar (kanjira) and more, establishing them by encouraging them and giving them opportunities to accompany her in concerts.

Family[]

MLV married the Late Kalaimamani Vikatam R.Krishnamurthy in the year 1951. They had a son, late K. Shankarraman and late Srividya.

Disciples[]

MLV taught her daughter K.Srividya, who at the age of ten was ready to perform and sang very much like MLV. Srividya however, wanted to pursue a career in the film industry, and went on to become a notable actress in Indian films.

MLV trained several other students, and many of them are the top-ranking musicians today. Some of the notable musicians who have studied under MLV include Sudha Ragunathan, A. Kanyakumari, Trichur V. Ramachandran, , Charumathi Ramachandran, Rose Muralikrishnan, V. Kaveri, Vanaja Narayanan, T. M. Prabhavathi, Meena Subramaniam, Jayanthi Sridharan, Jayanthi Mohan, Bama Visveswaran and Nirmala Srinivasan . She also taught music at Rishi Valley School started by Jiddu Krishnamurti and who was a government scholar from Malaysia went under the gurukulavasam system to her for two entire years, she was also more like an own daughter to her.

Saraswathy Srinivasan is the first disciple of MLV till the late 1960s. After marriage also Saraswathy Srinivasan jointly with MLV gave some concerts.^{[citation needed]}

Awards[]

Year	Award	Award by
1970	Sangeet Natak Akademi Award	Sangeet Natak Akademi, India
1976	doctorate degree for her work with regards to Purandaradasa's contributions to music	Mysore University
1977	Padma Bhushan	Government of India
1987	Sangeetha Kalasikhamani	Indian Fine Arts Society, Chennai

Death[]

She died in 1990 at the age of 62.

Playback singer[]

She was a much sought after playback singer from the late 1940s till the mid 1960s.

Music composers she sang for[]

She worked under C. R. Subburaman, S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, G. Ramanathan, S. Dakshinamurthi, K. V. Mahadevan, Vedha, Chittor V. Nagaiah, Pendyala Nageshwara Rao, T. Chalapathi Rao, Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, S. Rajeswara Rao, R. Sudarsanam, R. Govardhanam, T. R. Pappa, S. V. Venkatraman, Kunnakudi Venkatrama Iyer, G. Aswathama, T. A. Kalyanam, M. S. Gnanamani, C. N. Pandurangan, C. S. Jayaraman, G. Govindarajulu Naidu, T. G. Lingappa, K. G. Moorthy, Ghantasala, Master Venu, , V. Dakshinamoorthy, G. Devarajan, K. Raghavan and Shankar-Jaikishan.

Playback singers she sang with[]

She sang immemorable duets mostly with Thiruchi Loganathan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan and A. M. Rajah. Others are M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, V. N. Sundaram, T. R. Mahalingam, T. A. Mothi, C. R. Subburaman, C. S. Jayaraman, Ghantasala, G. K. Venkatesh, T. M. Soundararajan, P. B. Sreenivas, K. S. George, V. Dakshinamoorthy and K. J. Yesudas.

She also sang duets with female singers with most notably with P. Leela & N. L. Ganasaraswathi. Others are A. P. Komala, T. S. Bagavathi, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, Jikki, T. V. Rathnam, Radha Jayalakshmi, P. A. Periyanayaki, P. Bhanumathi, K. Jamuna Rani and A. G. Rathnamala.

Year	Film	Language	Song	Music	Co-singer
1948	Krishna Bakthi	Tamil	Raadhaa Samedhaa Krishnaa	S. V. Venkatraman & Kunnakudi Venkatrama Iyer
			Endha Vedugo O Raagavaa
1948	Raja Mukthi	Tamil	Kulakkodi Thazhaikka	C. R. Subburaman
			Aaraaro Nee Aaraaro
			Ingum Angum Engum Inbame		M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
			Enna Aanandham		M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
			Sandhoshamaai Anbar Varuvaaradi		P. Bhanumathi
1949	Kanniyin Kaadhali	Tamil	Puvi Raajaa	S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & C. R. Subburaman	Thiruchi Loganathan
			Kaanbana Yaavum Kaaviyam Pole
1949	Mayavathi	Tamil	Maane En Prema Raani	G. Ramanathan	T. R. Mahalingam
			Vaaraai En Inba Vaazhve
			Aahaa Thanimai Tharum Inbam
			Alli Malaraayirundhen
			Varuvano Madhivadhanan
			Jeyame En Vaazhvile
1949	Nallathambi	Tamil	Gaanalolan Madhanagopaalan	S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & C. R. Subburaman
1949	Nam Naadu	Tamil	Mosam Pogadhe Nee	G. Govindarajulu Naidu & Purushotham
			Enthan Mana Ullaasam
			Enadhu Ennam Veene
			Vedhanai Ilaa Logam
			Maname Enna Pedhamai
1949	Pavalakodi	Tamil	Kandeepan Maithunaa	C. R. Subburaman
			Naane Vendinen
			Ini Nammodellaam
			Unathu Pugazh Paaduven
1949	Vazhkai	Tamil	Gopaalanodu Naan Aaduvene	R. Sudarsanam
1950	Beedala Patlu	Telugu	Yauvaname Aahaa Yauvaname	S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
			Sarasaku Raade Aane
1950	Ezhai Padum Padu	Tamil	Yauvaname Aahaa Yauvaname	S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
			Kannan Mana Nilaiye
			Vaanamudhe Ondraai		Thiruchi Loganathan & P. A. Periyanayaki
1950	Manthiri Kumari	Tamil	Isai Kalaiye Inidhaana	G. Ramanathan
			Kaadhal Baliyaagi
			Manam Pola Vaazhvu Peruvome		Jikki
			Aahaahaahaa Vaazhvile
			Ennum Pozhuthil Inbam
1950	Parijatham	Tamil	Niyaayam Alladi Bhaamaa	S. V. Venkatraman & C. R. Subburaman
			Piraana Naathanae
			Anbinil Yaavume.... Thulasi Jegan Maathaa
1950	Prasanna	Malayalam	Kalaanikethe Keralamaathe
			Gaanamohana Hare
			Jaathivairam Neethirahitham
			Thakarukayo Sakalamen
1950	Vijayakumari	Tamil	Geethaanandham Perinbam	C. R. Subburaman	P. Leela
1951	Manamagal	Tamil	Chinnanciru Kiliye Kannammaa	C. R. Subburaman	V. N. Sundaram
			Ellaam Inbamayam		P. Leela
			Aayirathu Tholaayirathu		P. Leela
			Paaviyinum Padu Paavi		V. N. Sundaram
			Iru Kaadhalar Magizhndhe		C. R. Subburaman
1951	Mayamalai	Tamil		P. Adinarayana Rao
1951	Navvithe Navaratnalu	Telugu	Marubal Kavadhe Meera	G. Aswathama
			Uyyaala Loogena O Manasam
			Telirekhalu Virise Thurupudisa
			Saanthiye Ledhaa Naaku
			Srī Rajarajesvari Sritajanavandita
1951	Or Iravu	Tamil	Ayyaa Saami Avoji Saami	R. Sudarsanam
			Boologam Thanai Kaana Varuveer		T. S. Bagavathi
1951	Pelli Kooturu	Telugu	Veera Jaajula Valape	C. R. Subburaman	C. R. Subburaman
			Anta Premamayam		P. Leela
			1950 Ki 60 Ki Ento Teda		A. P. Komala
			Paapula Loka Dupaapi		C. R. Subburaman
					C. R. Subburaman
1951	Rajambal	Tamil	Vaazhvu Uyara Vendum	M. S. Gnanamani
			Ahaa Haa Manaiviyaaven
			Theeraadha Thunbam Thaanaa
1951	Saudamini	Tamil	Anbe En Sivame Aandarulvaaye	S. V. Venkatraman
			Maara Sundara Maadhu Ivale
1951	Soudamini	Telugu	Elukkona Ra	S. V. Venkatraman
1951	Tilottama	Telugu		P. Adinarayana Rao
1952	Andhaman Kaidhi	Tamil	Kaani Nilam Vendum Paraasakthi	G. Govindarajulu Naidu	C. S. Jayaraman
1952	En Thangai	Tamil	Dheena Dhayaabari Thaaye	C. N. Pandurangan
1952	Kanchana	Tamil	Maye Thvam Yaahi	S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
			Shivakameshwari Chintaye
1952	Kanchana	Tamil	Maye Thvam Yaahi	S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
			Shivakameshwari Chintaye
1952	Kanjana	Malayalam	Maye Thvam Yaahi	S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
			Shivakameshwari Chintaye
1952	Moondru Pillaigal	Tamil	Antha Raama Sowndharyam	P. S. Anantharaman & M. D. Parthasarathy	A. P. Komala
1952	Mr. Sampat	Hindi	Manchi Dinamu Nede	& Emani Sankara Sastry
1952	Mugguru Kodukkulu	Telugu	Aaraaghu Ra Muni	K. G. Moorthy	N. L. Ganasaraswathi
1952	Panam	Tamil	Ezhai Nin Kovilai	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy	G. K. Venkatesh
			Kudumbatthin Vilakku
1952	Parasakthi	Tamil	Vaazhga Vaazhgave Vaazhgave	R. Sudarsanam
1952	Penn Manam	Tamil	Kanavilum Maraven	Kunnakudi Venkatarama Iyer
			Vazhvile Vaazhvile		Madhavapeddi Satyam
			Sugamedhu Vaazhvile		Madhavapeddi Satyam
1952	Puratchi Veeran	Tamil	Kaaranam Theriyaamal	Shankar-Jaikishan
1952	Shyamala	Tamil	Ambaa Aadhi Sakthi Jegadhaambaa	G. Ramanathan, T. V. Raju & S. B. Dinakar Rao
1952	Thai Ullam	Tamil	Konjum Puraave	G. Ramanathan
			Vellai Thamarai Poovil
			Kovil Muzhuthum Kanden
			Kathayai Kelada
1952	Velaikari Magal	Tamil	Anbe Endhan Aaruyire Azhaadhe	C. R. Subburaman & S. Dakshinamurthi
			Mudinthathe En Vazhvu
			Pagalellam Velai Seithe		K. Devanarayanan
1953	Aasai Magan	Tamil	Kalaigal Migundha Engal	V. Dakshinamoorthy	P. Leela
			Neeye Arul Velavane
1953	Aashadeepam	Malayalam	Janani Jayikka Neenal	V. Dakshinamoorthy	P. Leela
			Sharanam Mayilvaahanaa
1953	Ammalakkalu	Telugu	Nee Kosam	C. R. Subburaman	Pithapuram Nageswara Rao
1953	Anbu	Tamil	Adavare Naattile	T. R. Pappa	A. M. Rajah
			Isaippaadi
1953	En Veedu	Tamil	Konjum Mozhi Maindharkale	Chittor V. Nagaiah & A. Rama Rao	T. A. Mothi
			Konjum Mozhi Maindharkale		Radha Jayalakshmi
1953	Gumastha	Tamil	Aiyavin Penndattikku	G. Ramanathan, Chittor V. Nagaiah & C. N. Pandurangan	K. R. Chellamuthu
			Dance Baby Dance
1953	Inspector	Tamil	Varuvaai Mana Mohanaa	G. Ramanathan	V. N. Sundaram
			Madhana Singaara Neelaa
			Moodiyirundha En Vizhiyinul
1953	Inspector	Telugu	Marupayena Mohana	G. Ramanathan
			Mara Sukumara
			Moodapa Dhinana Muddulaveena
1953	Jatagam	Tamil	Velan Varuvaanodi	R. Govardhanam
1953	Kangal	Tamil	Inba Veenaiyai Meettudhu	S. V. Venkatraman
			Kann Kanda Deivame
			Annai Karamena Nammai
			Varungkaala Thalaivan Neeye
1953	Kodarikam	Telugu	Illalu Illalu	C. N. Pandurangan
			Mahaa Ganapathi Gajaananaa
1953	Mamiyar	Tamil	Penn Ivale Miga	C. N. Pandurangan
			Mahaa Ganapathi Gajaananaa
1953	Manam Pola Mangalyam	Tamil	Solai Naduve Odi	A. Rama Rao
1953	Manidhanum Mirugamum	Tamil	Inbakuyil Kuralinimai	G. Govindarajulu Naidu	A. M. Rajah
			Imayamalai Chaaralile
1953	Manithan	Tamil	Kuyile Unakku	G. Ramanathan
1953	Marumagal	Tamil	Nianikkira Maaadhiri Ellaam	C. R. Subburaman	T. R. Ramachandran
1953	Naa Illu	Telugu	Adigadigo Gagana Seema	Chittor V. Nagaiah & A. Rama Rao	T. A. Mothi
			Raara Maa Intidaka
1953	Naalvar	Tamil	Irul Soozhum Vaanil	K. V. Mahadevan
			Inbam Kolludhe
			Vaana Veedhiyil Parandhiduvom		Thiruchi Loganathan
1953	Naam	Tamil		C. S. Jayaraman
1953	Prapancham	Telugu		M. S. Gnanamani & T. Poornananda	A. M. Rajah
			Kalaye Navakalaye
1953	Ulagam	Tamil	Un Kaadhalaal En Anbellaam	M. S. Gnanamani	A. M. Rajah
			En Jeevanile
1953	Vazha Pirandhaval	Tamil	Indhiya Naadu Nam Indhiya Naadu	S. Rajeswara Rao & G. Ramanathan
1954	Ammaiyappan	Tamil		T. R. Pappa
1954	Bedara Kannappa	Kannada	Daari Kaadu Naa Balu Nonde	R. Sudarsanam
1954	Kanavu	Tamil	Kannaana Thaai Naadae	G. Ramanathan & V. Dakshinamoorthy
			Eliyorku Suga Vaazhvu Edhu
			Engume Thai Pongal
1954	Kudumbam	Tamil	Pandigai Dhinamithadah	Pendyala Nageswara Rao
1954	Menarikam	Telugu		Pendyala Nageswara Rao
1954	Pudhu Yugam	Tamil	Kalaiye Puviyaarai Kavarum	G. Ramanathan
1954	Ratha Kanneer	Tamil	Kadhavai Saathadi	C. S. Jayaraman
			Aalaiyin Sangge Nee Oothaayo
1954	Ratha Paasam	Tamil	Nilaiyaana Inbam Manavaalan Anbe	M. K. Athmanathan & A. V. Natarajan
1954	Kalahasti Mahatyam	Telugu	Choochi Choochi	R. Sudarsanam
			Chaalu Chaalu Naa Mohana
1954	Thookku Thookki	Tamil	Vaaranam Aayiram Soozha Valam Seidhu	G. Ramanathan	P. Leela
1954	Thuli Visham	Tamil	Nandraaga Vaazha Vendum	K. N. Dandayudhapani Pillai
1954	Vaira Malai	Tamil	Vanjamidho Vaanchaiyidho	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy	Thiruchi Loganathan
			Koovaamal Koovum Kogilam		Thiruchi Loganathan
			Unnai Ennum Podhe
			Senthamarai Kannane
1955		Telugu	Parameshane Shiraverida	R. Sudarsanam & R. Govardhanam
1955	Kalvanin Kadhali	Tamil	Tamil Thirunaadu Thannai Petra	G. Govindarajulu Naidu	N. L. Ganasaraswathi
1955	Kaveri	Tamil	Manjal Veyyil Maalaiyile	G. Ramanathan	C. S. Jayaraman
1955	Kaveri	Tamil	Manadhinile Naan Konda	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
1955	Koteeswaran	Tamil	Ennudalum Ullak Kaadhalum Unakke	S. V. Venkatraman
1955	Maheswari	Tamil	Andha NaaLum Endha NaaLo	G. Ramanathan
1955	Ulagam Palavitham	Tamil	Adimaiyendre Ennathe Penne	N. S. Balakrishnan
1955	Valliyin Selvan	Tamil	Kannin Maniye Vaa	Parur S. Anantharaman
			Vilaiyaadum Dheivamadi		T. V. Rathnam
1955	Vijaya Gauri	Telugu	Andala Sandadilo	G. Ramanathan	A. M. Rajah
1954	Vedan Kannappa	Tamil	Thedi Thedi Naan Manam Nondhen	R. Sudarsanam
1956	Amara Deepam	Tamil	Enge Maraindhanayo	T. Chalapathi Rao & G. Ramanathan
1956	Chori Chori	Hindi	Theem Theem	Shankar-Jaikishan
1956	Kaalam Maari Pochu	Tamil	Ennamadhellaam Neeye Niraindhu	Master Venu
1956	Kannin Manigal	Tamil	Nalla Veenai Idhe Mannile	S. V. Venkatraman
			Velli Nilavinile
			Aaraaro Aasai Kanmaniye
			Anbin Dheepamidhe
1956	Koodappirappu	Malayalam	Alarsharaparithaapam	K. Raghavan
			Manivarnane Innu Njan
1956	Kula Dheivam	Tamil	Thaaye Yasodha Undhan	R. Sudarsanam
1956	Madurai Veeran	Tamil	Aadal Kaaneero	G. Ramanathan
			Senthamizhaa Ezhundhu
1956	Naga Devathai	Tamil		Ghantasala
1956	Nagula Chavithi	Telugu	Marubal Kavadhe Meera	Ghantasala
1956	Ondre Kulam	Tamil	Anda Pagiranda Akilandeswari	S. V. Venkatraman & M. V. Ranga Rao
			Thiruvarul Purivaai Jaganmaathaa
1956	Sahasra Veerudu	Telugu	Aatal Kanalero Maa Aatal Kanalero	G. Ramanathan
			Andhamula Rashi Neevoyi
1956	Punniyavathi	Tamil	Kani Voorum Amudhaana Idhayam	V. Dakshinamoorthy
1956	Raja Rani	Tamil	Vaanga Vaanga ... Indriravu Miga Nandriravu	T. R. Pappa	S. V. Ponnusamy
			Manippuraa Pudhu Manippuraa
			Inba Nan Naalidhe
1956	Thaaikkuppin Thaaram	Tamil	Naadu Sezhithida NaaLum Uzhaithida	K. V. Mahadevan
1957	Bhale Ammayilu	Telugu	Gopaala Jaagela Raa	S. Rajeswara Rao & S. Hanumantha Rao	P. Leela
			Theem Thaam Thirana (Thillana)		T. V. Rathnam
1957	Chakravarthi Thirumagal	Tamil	Enthan Ullam Kollai Kolla	G. Ramanathan
1957	Iru Sagodharigal	Tamil	Thaaye Un Seyalallavo	S. Rajeswara Rao	P. Leela
			Theem Thaam Thirana (Thillana)		T. V. Rathnam
1957	Karpukkarasi	Tamil	Kaniyo Paago Karkando	G. Ramanathan	P. B. Sreenivas
			Vizhiyodu Vilaiyaadum		P. Leela
1957	Manamagan Thevai	Tamil	Vanthaal Varattum Podi	G. Ramanathan
1957	Maya Bajaar	Tamil	Chellamudan Devarkalum Nallaasi	Ghantasala & S. Rajeswara Rao
1957	Mayabazar	Kannada	Srisuraru Thamadhalu	Ghantasala & S. Rajeswara Rao
1957	Mayabazar	Telugu	Srikarulu Devathalu	Ghantasala & S. Rajeswara Rao
1957	Nala Damayanthi	Telugu	Jaali Chpppavadelara	B. Gopalam
1957	Rajaputhri Rahasyamu	Telugu	Sreeramu Meedhane Perasha	G. Ramanathan
1957	Rani Lalithangi	Tamil	Kannaale Mannaadhi Mannarum	G. Ramanathan
1957	Sati Anasuya	Telugu	Maa Roopa Nava Shobana	Ghantasala
1957	Soubhagyavathi	Tamil	Matha Maragadha Shyaamaa	Pendyala Nageswara Rao
1957	Soubhagyavathi	Telugu	Matha Maragadha Shyaamaa	Pendyala Nageswara Rao
1957	Thalavanchani Veerudu	Telugu	Raa Raa Raa	G. Ramanathan
1957	Vanangamudi	Tamil	Siramathil.... Vaa Vaa Vaa	G. Ramanathan
1957	Varudu Kavali	Telugu	Nandasuthudu Andam Chandam	G. Ramanathan
1958	Baktha Ravana	Tamil	Dheva Mahadheva	R. Sudarsanam & R. Govardhanam
1958	Bhookailas	Telugu	Dheva Mahadheva	R. Sudarsanam & R. Govardhanam
			Munneeta Pavalinchu
1958	Bhookailas	Kannada	Dheva Mahadheva	R. Sudarsanam & R. Govardhanam
			Ksheeraabdhi Varadhaama Naga Sayana
1958	Kanniyin Sabatham	Tamil	Attatthil Sirandhadhu Pitthalaattam	T. G. Lingappa	Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
			Solla Theriyaamal
1958	Mangalya Bhagyam	Tamil	Nenjathile Achcham Illaadhavar	G. Ramanathan	P. Leela
			Anusooya Kadhaakaalatchebam		Seerkazhi Govindarajan, A. P. Komala, K. Jamuna Rani & A. G. Rathnamala
			Annaiye Paraasakthi
1958	Sati Anasuya	Tamil	Maa Roopa Nava Shobana	Ghantasala
1958	Uthama Illalu	Telugu	Veyinola Koniyaru Rasakalpame	G. Ramanathan & M. S. Raju	P. Leela
1959	Chathurangamm	Malayalam	Kaatte Va Kadale	G. Devarajan
			Odakkuzhalum
			Kaatte Va Kadale Va
1959	Jayabheri	Telugu	Neeventa Nerajaa Navauraa	Pendyala Nageswara Rao
1959	Kalaivaanan	Tamil	Kaadhal Silai Aadudhe	Pendyala Nageswara Rao
1959	Kalyanikku Kalyanam	Tamil	Aanandham Indru Aarambam	G. Ramanathan	P. Leela
1959	Kaveriyin Kanavan	Tamil	Vannatamizh Sornakili	K. V. Mahadevan
1959		Telugu	Thaalalenuraa Thaginadaanaraa	S. Dakshinamurthi
1959	Mamiyar Mechina Marumagal	Tamil	Pathu Viral Modhiram	R. Sudarsanam
			Ranga Ranga Ranga		Seerkazhi Govindarajan
			Maithunare Maithunare		A. P. Komala
			Kanna Vaa Vaa
			Inge Irupadhaa
			Ilavu Kaaththa Kili Pol
1959	Manimekalai	Tamil	PazhangkAla Thamizharin Vaazhkai Murai	G. Ramanathan	N. L. Ganasaraswathi
1959	Minnal Veeran	Tamil	Manamirunthaal	Vedha	P. Leela
1959	Orey Vazhi	Tamil	Kalvi Kalvi Endru Paadu	R. Govardhanam	P. Leela
1959	Pennkulathin Ponvilakku	Tamil	Kadavul Padaikkavillai	Master Venu	P. Leela
1959	President Panchatcharam	Tamil	Oli Padaitha Kanninaayi	G. Ramanathan	Radha Jayalakshmi
1959	Thanga Padhumai	Tamil	Varugiraal Unnai Thedi	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy	Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
1959	Vachina Kodalu Nachindi	Telugu	Pahimam Jayajaya	S. Dakshinamurthi
			Pahimam Saranantimamma		Ghantasala & Jikki
1960	Mannadhi Mannan	Tamil	Kalaiyodu Kalandhadhu Unmai	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
			Aadadha Manamum Undo		T. M. Soundararajan
1960	Meenda Sorgam	Tamil	Aadum Arul Jothi	T. Chalapathi Rao	Seerkazhi Govindarajan
1960	Parthiban Kanavu	Tamil	Andhi Mayanguthadi	Vedha
			Vadiveru Thirisoolam Thondrum
			Munnam Avanudaya Naamam Kettaal
1960	Petra Manam	Tamil	Sindhanai Seiyadaa	S. Rajeswara Rao	Sivaji Ganesan (dialogues)
1960	Raja Bakthi	Tamil	Karka Kasadara Katraapin	G. Govindarajulu Naidu
1960	Raja Desingu	Tamil	Paakkadal Alai Mele	G. Ramanathan
1960	Seetha	Malayalam	Kanne Nukaru Swargasukham	V. Dakshinamoorthy
1960	Thilakam	Tamil	Kaathirundha Kannukku	R. Sudarsanam
			Manasukkulle Maraichu Vaikka		Seerkazhi Govindarajan
			Ezhaikkum Vaazhvukkum		Seerkazhi Govindarajan & T. S. Bagavathi
1961	Desinguraju Katha	Telugu	Pala Kadali Meedha	Pamarthi
1961	Sri Kanyaka Parameswari Mahatmyam	Telugu	Virahini Ninu Kore	R. Sudarsanam	Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
1961	Kongunattu Thangam	Tamil	Irundhum Illaadhavare	K. V. Mahadevan
1961	Krishna Kuchela	Malayalam	Varnippathengine	K. Raghavan	P. Leela
1961	Malliyam Mangalam	Tamil	Avarindri Naanillai Kanne	T. A. Kalyanam
1961	Sthree Hrudayam	Telugu	Neeve Jagajyothi	Nityanand	Seerkazhi Govindarajan
1961	Ummini Thanka	Malayalam	Geethopadesham	V. Dakshinamoorthy	V. Dakshinamoorthy & P. Leela
1962	Ekaika Veerudu	Telugu	Nanukora Thagadidi Vinumaa	S. P. Kodandapani
			Hrdayamulu Pulakinnchavo		Seerkazhi Govindarajan
1962	Vikramaadhithan	Tamil	Adhisayam Ivanadhu	S. Rajeswara Rao
1963	Susheela	Malayalam	Thaalolam Thankam Thaalolam	V. Dakshinamoorthy
1964		Tamil	Angamellam Sornthu Vaada	Vedha	P. Leela & K. J. Yesudas
1965	Maganey Kel	Tamil	Kalai Manggai Uruvam Kandu	Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy	Seerkazhi Govindarajan
1965	Pinchuhridhayam	Malayalam	Gaanavum Layavum Neeyalle	V. Dakshinamoorthy	P. Leela
1965	Shakunthala	Malayalam	Kaamavardhiniyaam	K. Raghavan	P. Leela
			Kaalil Chilanka		K. J. Yesudas
			Guru Brahma
1966	Rangula Ratnam	Telugu	Chepa Rupamuna	S. Rajeswara Rao & B. Gopalam	A. P. Komala
1967	Sri Purandara Dasaru	Kannada	Aadidano Ranga	C. N. Pandurangan

References[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to M. L. Vasanthakumari.

External links[]

• The first singing star of Tamil films - Article in Tamil by Vamanan