M. B. Sreenivasan

Manamadurai Balakrishnan Sreenivasan (19 September 1925 – 9 March 1988), or MBS, was a South Indian music director who worked mainly in the Malayalam and Tamil film industries.

Early and personal life He was born to an orthodox Tamil Brahmin family on 19 September 1925 in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. He was deeply influenced by his paternal uncle, M. R. Venkataraman, who was a pioneer of the communist movement in Tamil Nadu. He had his schooling at P.S. High School, Chennai. He was actively involved with All India Students’ Federation and the Madras Students’ Organisation during his college days at Madras Presidency College. After independence, he worked in Parliament as private secretary to A.K. Gopalan during which he underwent intensive training in Hindustani and Western classical music. He married Zahida Kitchlew, a Kashmiri Muslim, who was the daughter of the freedom fighter Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew. They had a son, Kabir. MBS and Ghosh co-founded the Cine Musicians’ Union, the first trade union for film workers in south India which ensured spot payment for artists. MBS later established the Film Employees Federation of South India. He also served as the chairman of the Indian Performing Right Society, a non-profit copyright society that works to protect the interests of music composers and lyricists under Indian copyright laws.

Discography Malayalam Year Film Notes 1962 Snehadeepam 1962 Puthiya Akasam Puthiya Bhoomi 1962 Laila Majnu Background score only 1962 Kalpadukal 1962 Kannum Karalum 1962 Swargarajyam 1963 Doctor Background score only 1963 Kalayum Kaminiyum 1963 Ammaye Kaanaan Background score only 1964 Althaara 1964 Aadyakiranangal Background score only 1965 Shyamala Chechi Background score only 1966 Puthri 1966 Tharavattamma Background score only 1967 Pareeksha Background score only 1967 Ramanan Background score only 1967 Ollathumathi Background score only 1968 Aparadhini 1968 Kadal 1969 Nurse 1970 Madhuvidhu 1971 Vimochanasamaram 1972 Swayamvaram Background score only 1977 Siva Thandavum 1978 Bandhanam 1978 Onappudava 1978 Ekakini Background score only 1979 Oolkatal 1979 Idavazhiyile Poocha Minda Poocha 1979 Kaivazhikal Piriyumbol Background score only 1980 Mela 1980 Vilkkanundu Swapnangal 1980 Prakriti Manohari Background score only 1980 Greeshmam Background score only 1981 Aarathi 1981 Jalarekha 1981 Manassinte Theerthayathra 1981 Vida Parayum Munpe 1981 Oppol 1981 Venal 1981 Valarthumrugangal 1981 Kolangal Background score only 1982 Idavela 1982 Ilakkangal 1982 Kaattile Paattu Background score only 1982 Uvvu 1982 Sahyante Makan Background score only 1982 Vaarikuzhi Background score only 1983 Oomana Thinkal 1983 Parasparam 1983 Rugma 1983 Saagaram Santham 1983 Prem Nazirine Kanmanilla Background score only 1984 Adaminte Vaariyellu 1988 Indulekha 1988 Mattoral Background score only

Tamil Year Film Notes Ref. 1960 Paadhai Theriyudhu Paar 1972 Dhakam 1975 Edupaar Kai Pillai 1975 Puthu Vellam 1976 Madhana Maligai 1977 Agraharathil Kazhutai Background score only 1983 Nijangal 1989 Marupakkam

Awards Year Award Film(s) 1987 National Film Award – Special Jury Award (feature film) - 1973 Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director Nirmalyam 1978 Bandhanam 1979 Idavazhiyile Poocha Mindappoocha, Ulkkadal 1981 Different Films 1987 Kerala State Film Award – Special Jury Award Swathi Thirunal