MSV Times | The Official Website of M.S.Viswanathan

PEERAKAM (THRISSUR), MARCH 23. The veteran music composer M. S. Viswanathan has expressed concern over the declining standards of Tamil lyrics.
He was here today to receive the Parvati Padmam Puraskaram, instituted by the Ayinipully Sree Parvathy temple.

Mr. Viswanathan, who has composed music for 1,870 films, setting a record, told The Hindu that the vulgarity of lyrics for current Tamil film songs was disturbing.
"This happens in a genre that was enriched by poets such as Kannadasan. Having worked with such greats, I find it difficult to stomach the current state of things,'' he says.

Mr. Viswanathan is overcome with emotion as he speaks of Kannadasan. "He was my alter ego. My grief was unbearable when three persons died - my mother, actor and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. G. Ramachandran and Kannadasan,'' the 76-year-old composer says.

Mr. Viswanathan attributes his success to deep understanding of the relationship between music (sangeeta) and literature (sahitya), dedication, and ability to derive the best out of instrumentalists and singers.

Strength and weekness

"I've composed songs, comprehending the strength and weakness of each singer. Hence, I could bring the best out of the likes of Trichy Loganathan, M. M. Mariappa, Ghantasala, Shamshad Begum, Talat Mehmood, Lata Mangeshkar, T. M. Soundarajan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, Balamuralikrishna, K. J. Jesudas, S. P. Balasubramaniam and P. Susheela. Save the case of semi-classical songs, I never have a raga in mind when I compose. The tune simply takes shape. Once the sthayi (basic piece of melody) is ready, the antara (improvised phrases) falls into place. There have been occasions when I took long to create a piece of melody. I worked hard for five months to get the right tune for "Nenjam Marappathille,'' Mr. Viswanathan says.

Good melodies

He is all praise for the work of Ilaiyaraja and A. R. Rahman. "Ilaiyaraja is a genius. I also admire Rahman. Both of them have worked with me. Every era witnesses good melodies and composers. If a song fulfils basic principles such as shruthi and laya, it can be termed good,'' Mr. Viswanathan says.

In what manner did the Viswanathan-Ramamurthy duo share work? "Sometimes, I would do the melody and he would work on the instrumentation. On other occasions, he would create the melody. After doing some 700 films, we thought we would work independently. I owe all I have today to Ramamurthy. I was a peon and assistant to composers at Jupiter Pictures, earning Rs. 3 a month, when Ramamurthy got an assignment for me. I told him we would work together,'' Mr. Viswanathan says.

Interested in acting

Does he miss composing being an actor now? "I've always been interested in acting. It has helped me infuse drama into my songs and create the right mood. In fact, I came to Madras as a child to be an actor. My only asset then was the music I learnt from Neelakanta Bhagavathar at Kannur, where my grandfather was the jail warden,'' Mr. Viswanathan says.

In his forthcoming film, Mr. Viswanathan will team up with veteran Nagesh. Musical projects are also on the anvil. The composer plans to bring out an album of instrumental music.

By K. Santhosh