M. S. Rajeswari

M. S. Rajeswari (; 24 February 1932 – 25 April 2018) was an Indian playback singer who has recorded over 500 songs in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada language films.

Early life She was born on 24 February 1932 to Madurai Satagopan and T. V. Rajasundari who herself was a singer and stage artist. Rajeswari was introduced to film singing by family friend B. R. Panthulu.

Career life She started her career in AVM Studios where she was one of the resident playback singers along with T. S. Bagavathi. Her very first song was Maiyal Migavum Meerudhe in the film Vijayalakshmi produced by Pragathi Pictures, the forerunner to AVM Studios. During the 1940s, she sang for almost all the films produced by AVM before continuing her work independently. In later years, she was a popular voice for child artists.

She rendered songs which consist of solos and duets in all of the AVM Studios early productions such as Nam Iruvar, Rama Rajyam, Vedhala Ulagam, Vazhkai, Jeevitham, Or Iravu, Parasakthi, Gunasagari, Penn and Chella Pillai.

She sang more often in the 1940s and 1950s compared to her work during the 1960s to 1990s. During the later half, she was only sought in songs that voice needed for small children. Films such as Kaveriyin Kanavan, Kaithi Kannayiram and Engal Selvi are the earlier ones where she recorded her voice for child artists. Since 1964 till the 1990s she was only sought for playback for child artists.

She was the first playback singer for Kamal Haasan for the song Ammaavum Neeye Appaavum Neeye in Kalathur Kannamma when she was offered by AVM Studios after a break.

Rajeswari had recorded many songs for Baby Shamili. Her voice suits the best when Shamili was a child artist in Dhurga, Lakshmi Dhurga, Bhairavi, Sendhoora Devi, Sindhoora Devi, Thai Poosam, Sivasangkari, Dheiva Kuzhandhai and Sivarathiri.

Music composers she sang for She started her career in AVM Studios under R. Sudarsanam’s music. Later, many of her songs are under K. V. Mahadevan's music direction. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Shankar–Ganesh engaged her often.

Playback singers she sang with She sang immemorable duets mostly with T. M. Soundararajan. Others include Seerkazhi Govindarajan, A. M. Rajah, Thiruchi Loganathan, V. J. Varma, K. Devanarayanan, V. N. Sundaram, A. L. Raghavan, S. C. Krishnan, M. Satyanarayana, Madhavapeddi Satyam, Ghantasala, K. Appa Rao, K. J. Yesudas, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & Mano.

She also sang duets with female singers, most notably with T. S. Bagavathi. Others are L. R. Eswari, K. Jamuna Rani, P. Susheela, Radha Jayalakshmi, R. Balasaraswathi Devi, A. P. Komala, S. Janaki, K. S. Chithra, Swarnalatha, U. R. Chandra, L. R. Anjali, N. L. Ganasaraswathi, K. Rani, Santha P. Nair & Kalyani.

The singing actors she sang with were K. R. Ramasamy & T. R. Ramachandran.

Death She died on 25 April 2018 at the age of 87 due to ailments related to old age.

Filmography Year Film Language Song Lyrics Music director Co-singer 1946 Vijayalakshmi Tamil Maiyal Migavum Meerudhe G. Govindarajulu Naidu 1947 Nam Iruvar Tamil Mahaan Gaandhiye Mahaane K. P. Kamatchi Sundaram R. Sudarsanam Karunamoorthi Gaandhi Mahaathmaa K. P. Kamatchi Sundaram 1947 Rama Rajyam Tamil Oonjal Oonjal R. Sudarsanam Oh Raani Mahaaraani T. S. Bagavathi Yaavarum Sundharamaaga 1948 Vedhala Ulagam Tamil Odi Vilaiyaadu Paappaa Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathiyar R. Sudarsanam T. S. Bagavathi Vaasam Ulla Poo Parippene T. S. Bagavathi Aadum Mayil Paadum Kuyil Iravile Vandhaan Inba Sugam Thandhu Anandham Aanen Naan Aahaa 1949 Vazhkai Tamil Enni Enni Paarkka Manam Inbam K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam R. Sudarsanam Senthamizhum Suvaiyum Polave K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam T. R. Ramachandran Manamevum Aasai.... Un Kangal Unnai Emaatrinaal K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam Aasai Kollum Meesaiyulla K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam A. G. Rathnamala Uzhuthundu Vaazhvaar.... Paadupattaale Palan Koodum K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam T. S. Bagavathi Senthamizhum Suvaiyum Polave (Short) K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam T. R. Ramachandran & T. S. Bagavathi1950 Jeevitham Telugu Tikku Tikku Takkuladi Toleti Venkata Reddy R. Sudarsanam Mana Manasu Manasu Ekamai Tholeti Venkata Reddy M. Satyanarayana Priyamaina Rajaa.... Nee Kan Ninne Praminchinaa Toleti Venkata Reddy Chakkanaina Boya Rajuni Tholeti Venkata Reddy A. G. Rathnamala Bhoomi Dunnaloy Mana Desam Toleti Venkata Reddy T. S. Bagavathi Nandha Gopala Neetho Ne Aadudhaanoy Toleti Venkata Reddy 1951 Or Iravu Tamil Thunbam Nergaiyil Yaazhedutthu Bharathidasan R. Sudarsanam V. J. Varma Vasandha Mullaiyum Malligaiyum K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam Kottu Murase Kottu Murase Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathiyar K. R. Ramasamy & V. J. Varma Vaazhiya Sendhamizh Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathiyar K. Devanarayanan Padutthurangum Podhu.... Akkam Pakkam Yaarum Illai K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam dialogues by A. Nageswara Rao Arumbu Pol Meesai.... Paartthu Paartthu Kanngal Rendum K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam V. J. Varma & T. S. Bagavathi1952 Murattu Adiyaal Tamil Aahaahaa.... Indru Endhan Nenjil Saki Naushad Izhandhen Unai Anbe 1952 Parasakthi Tamil O Rasikkum Seemaane K. P. Kamatchi Sundaram R. Sudarsanam Pudhu Pennin Manadhai Thottu Ponavare K. P. Kamatchi Sundaram Ellorum Vaazha Vendum Annal Thango T. S. Baghavathi1952 Velaikaran Tamil Idhaya Veenaiyin Narambai Meettiya K. P. Kamatchi Sundaram R. Sudarsanam Aanandame Aahaa Aanandame Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam Maane Marikozhundhe Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam T. S. Bhagavathi, A. G. Rathnamala & Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi1953 Gunasagari Kannada Daari Thoro Prabo Shankara R. Sudarsanam 1953 Jatagam Tamil Kuzhavum Yaazhilsaiye Kannan T. K. Sundara Vathiyar R. Govardhanam Maadugal Meitthidum Paiyan T. K. Sundara Vathiyar Manadhil Pudhuvidha Inbam Kaanudhe T. K. Sundara Vathiyar Eliyor Seiyum Izhivaana Thozhilai T. K. Sundara Vathiyar P. Susheela 1953 Jathaka Phala Kannada Lalane R. Govardhanam P. Susheela 1953 Manithan Tamil Penne Ulagin Kanne Kanagasurabhi S. V. Venkatraman 1953 Nalla Pillai Tamil Joraaka Paadi Anbaaga Aadi C. Ramchandra T. M. Soundararajan Thozhi Un Kann Edhire Kodi T. M. Soundararajan 1953 Prapancham Telugu Naa Premaraani Jeevanavaaṇi Sri Sri M. S. Gnanamani & Poornanandha A. M. Rajah1953 Ratna Deepam Tamil Kaanamenum Thanam Kandaen Vijayakumar Robin Chatterjee Kaadhal Endraale Mana Thunbam Vijayakumar 1953 Sathya Sodhanai Tamil Kaadhal Vaanil Nee Chandrodhayam V. Seetharaman R. Sudarsanam Odi Vaa Odi Vaa Velli Mulaichi V. Seetharaman 1953 Ulagam Tamil Premaiyin Raani M. S. Gnanamani A. M. Rajah1954 Penn Tamil Ettaadha Kilaiyil Kittaadha R. Sudarsanam Sonna Sollai Marandhidalaamo T. S. Bagavathi Bhaaratha Nattukkinai Bhaaratha Naade Vaal Munaiyin Sakthiyinaal Ulagai Aaluvom T. S. Bagavathi & P. Susheela Agila Bhaaradha Penngal 1954 Sorgavasal Tamil Maasillaatha Maamani Manonmani Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy K. R. Ramasamy1954 Thookku Thookki Tamil Inba Nilai Kaana Innum En A. Maruthakasi G. Ramanathan Kanvazhi Pugundhu Karutthinil Kalandha A. Maruthakasi T. M. Soundararajan Piyare Nimbal Mele Udumalai Narayana Kavi V. N. Sundaram 1955 Chella Pillai Tamil Naadu Nadakkira Nadaiyile R. Sudarsanam T. M. Soundararajan1955 Pennarasi Tamil Inbam Enggum Ingge A. Maruthakasi K. V. Mahadevan Thiruchi Loganathan Chandhiran Madhiyam.... Paadhaiyin Mele Vizhiyaai Vaitthu Thiruchi Loganathan, S. C. Krishnan & U. R. Chandra1955 Town Bus Tamil Chittukkuruvi Chittukkuruvi Seidhi Theriyumaa Ka. Mu. Sheriff K. V. Mahadevan Chittukkuruvi Chittukkuruvi Seidhi Theriyumaa (Pathos) Ka. Mu. Sheriff Ponnaana Vaazhve Mannaagi Poma Ka. Mu. Sheriff Thiruchi Loganathan & Radha Jayalakshmi 1956 Maya Mohini Tamil Ulagil Ullor Vaazha Nee K. Devanarayanan T. Chalapathi Rao T. M. Soundarajan 1956 Naan Petra Selvam Tamil Aiyaave Vaarunga Inge Vaarunga Ka. Mu. Sheriff G. Ramanathan 1956 Ondre Kulam Tamil Mangkilai Maele Poonguyil Kooviyadhu Surabhi S. V. Venkatraman & M. Ranga Rao V. N. Sundaram, N. L. Ganasaraswathi, K. Rani & Kalyani1957 Mahadhevi Tamil Kaakkaa Kaakkaa Maikondaa A. Maruthakasi Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy Singaara Punnagai Kannaara Kandaale Kannadasan R. Balasaraswathi Devi Sevai Seivadhe Aanandham Kannadasan T. M. Soundararajan 1958 Maalaiyitta Mangai Tamil Mazhai Kooda Oru Naalum Thenaagalaam Kannadasan Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy 1958 Mudhalali Tamil Engirundho Vandhaan En Idhayam Kavarndhaan Ka. Mu. Sheriff K. V. Mahadevan Aasai Kalyaanam Nalla Anbu Kalyaanam Ka. Mu. Sheriff 1Kunguma Pottukkaaraa Kona Kiraappukkaaraa Ka. Mu. Sheriff T. M. Soundararajan1958 Sampoorna Ramayanam Tamil Pogaadhe Machan Pogaadhe A. Maruthakasi K. V. Mahadevan Paakkraan Summa Paakraan A. Maruthakasi 1958 Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum Tamil Mannukku Maram Baaramaa K. Muthuswamy K. V. Mahadevan 1959 Kaveriyin Kanavan Tamil Maapillai Vandhaan Maapillai Vandhaan Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass K. V. Mahadevan L. R. Eswari Maapillai Vandhaan Maapillai Vandhaan Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass 1959 Madhavi Tamil Thottakkaara Chinna Maamaa Ka. Mu. Sheriff K. V. Mahadevan Seerkazhi Govindarajan 1959 Paththarai Maathu Thangam Tamil Aniyaayam Adukkumaa Ku. Sa. Krishnamoorthy G. Govindarajulu Naidu & Tiruvenkadu Selvarathinam 1960 Engal Selvi Tamil Ambuli Maamaa Varuvaaye Kuyilan K. V. Mahadevan A. L. Raghavan 1960 Ivan Avanethan Tamil Edhu Nijam Edhu Poi M. S. Subramaniam M. Ranga Rao S. C. Krishnan 1960 Kaithi Kannayiram Tamil Sundelikkum Sundelikkum Thirumanamaam A. Maruthakasi K. V. Mahadevan 1960 Kalathur Kannamma Tamil Ammaavum Neeye Appaavum Neeye T. K. Sundara Vathiyar R. Sudarsanam Ammaavum Neeye Appaavum Neeye (Pathos) T. K. Sundara Vathiyar Unnai Kandu Mayangaadha Mirugamundo Kothamangalam Subbu S. C. Krishnan, T. M. Soundararajan & A. P. Komala1960 Mavoori Ammayi Telugu Kanipenchu Talli Kaapaadu Taṇḍri R. Sudarsanam Kanipenchu Talli Kaapaadu Taṇḍri (Pathos) Ee Byooṭīlo Nanu Minnche Mr̥gamundaa Madhavapeddi Satyam, Ghantasala, K. Apparao & A. P. Komala 1960 Mahalakshmi Tamil Chinnanchiru Kannan Andha Singaara Vannan A. Maruthakasi K. V. Mahadevan L. R. Eswari 1960 Padikkadha Medhai Tamil Paditthadhanal Arivu Petror Kannadasan K. V. Mahadevan 1960 Thangam Manasu Thangam Tamil Chinnan Chiru Veedu Onnu A. Maruthakasi K. V. Mahadevan K. Jamuna Rani & L. R. Eswari 1961 Intiki Deepam Illale Telugu Kapupupanta Kodukulani Acharya Aatreya Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy 1961 Kumudham Tamil Miyaaw Miyaaw Poonai Kutti A. Maruthakasi K. V. Mahadevan 1962 Kavitha Tamil Oor Irundhum Veedu Illai A. Maruthakasi K. V. Mahadevan 1962 Sengamala Theevu Tamil Pesiyadhu Naan Illai Kanngal Thaane Chennai Ekalaivan K. V. Mahadevan 1963 Naan Vanangum Dheivam Tamil Naan Maraven Murali Gopala K. V. Mahadevan 1963 Kaithiyin Kathali Tamil Udhaya Sooriyan Malarnthadhaal Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass K. V. Mahadevan 1964 Amma Enge Tamil Ammaa Ammaa Enge Pone Panchu Arunachalam Vedha 1964 School Master Malayalam Kilukilukkumi Kilukilukkumi Vayalar Ramavarma G. Devarajan 1965 Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum Tamil Kozhi Oru Koottile Seval Oru Koottile M. S. Viswanathan 1966 Enga Pappa Tamil Oru Maratthil Kudi Irukkum Kannadasan M. S. Viswanathan T. M. Soundararajan 1966 Iru Vallavargal Tamil Kuvaa Kuvaa Paappaa Kannadasan Vedha 1967 Bhagyamudra Malayalam Mannaankattayum Kariyilayum P. Bhaskaran Pukazhenthi 1967 Ponnana Vazhvu Tamil Kadhai Kadhaiyaam Kadhai Kadhaiyaam Kaaranamaam K. V. Mahadevan Enge.... Kunguma Chimizhe Gopura Vilakke A. Maruthakasi T. M. Soundararajan 1968 Dheiveega Uravu Tamil Sindhaama Sirippaa Singaara Paappaa K. V. Mahadevan 1968 Kalisina Manasulu Telugu Ammavamtidi Amta Mamchidi Master Venu 1968 Siritha Mugam Tamil Raajaatthi Koondhalukku Rojapoo Vaangi Vandhu Shankar–Ganesh L. R. Anjali 1969 Chella Penn Tamil Amma Sonnadhu Pole Kovai Kumaradevan B. A. Chidambaranath 1972 Dhikku Theriyatha Kaattil Tamil Poo Poova Parandhu Pogum Vaali M. S. Viswanathan 1972 Naan Yen Pirandhen Tamil Thambikku Oru Paattu Avinasi Mani Shankar–Ganesh L. R. Anjali 1972 Shakthi Leelai Tamil Thannai Vendravan Yaarum Kannadasan T. K. Ramamoorthy 1974 Amma Appa Tamil Paappaa Vandhene Paadugindrene Shyam 1974 Devi Sri Karumari Amman Tamil Amma Thaaye Karumaari Shankar–Ganesh Velli Manam Un Kovil 1974 Samarpanam Tamil Vetkkapada Vendum Ovvoru Pattukottai Dhandayuthapani Shankar–Ganesh 1977 Vidarunna Mottukal Malayalam Kaattiloru Malarkkulam Sreekumaran Thampi G. Devarajan Santha P. Nair 1978 Iravu 12 Mani Tamil Amma Akka Appa Shankar-Ganesh 1979 Kadamai Nenjam Tamil Thulli Thulli Sellum Alangudi Somu N. S. Thiyagarajan 1982 Thaai Mookaambikai Tamil Isai Arasi Ennalum Vaali Ilaiyaraaja S. Janaki][P. Susheela 1984 Vengaiyin Maindhan Tamil Kannaa Vaa Kannaa Vaa Shankar–Ganesh 1987 Nayakan Tamil Naan Siritthaal Deepavali Pulamaipithan Ilaiyaraaja K. Jamuna Rani 1988 Paatti Sollai Thattathe Tamil Car Car Super Car Vairamuthu Chandrabose 1988 Thaimel Aanai Tamil Endha Kadhai Solla Vairamuthu Chandrabose K. J. Yesudas & S. P. Balasubrahmanyam 1989 Paasa Mazhai Tamil Oru Paattu Un Manasai Vaali Ilaiyaraaja S. Janaki & Mano 1990 Aadi Velli Tamil Sonna Pecha Kekkanum Vaali Shankar–Ganesh 1990 Dhurga Tamil Paappaa Paadum Paattu Vaali Shankar–Ganesh 1990 Lakshmi Dhurga Telugu Paappaa Paade Paattaa Shankar–Ganesh 1991 Aadi Viratham Tamil Ettadukku Maaligaiyil Vataamidum Vaali Shankar–Ganesh K. S. Chithra Aadi Velli Puthukku Vaali K. S. Chithra & Swarnalatha1991 Naagamma Telugu Chakkanaina Neralonaa Vijaya Ratnam Gona Shankar–Ganesh Swarnalatha Naagula Panchami Vijaya Ratnam Gona K. S. Chithra & Swarnalatha1991 Bhairavi Kannada Haadona Baa Shankar–Ganesh Yaho Yahu 1991 Sendhoora Devi Tamil Yakkaa Yakkaa Yakkaa Yakkaa Elakkaa Vaali Shankar–Ganesh 1991 Sindhoora Devi Telugu Gajavadhanaa Devaraa Shankar–Ganesh 1991 Thai Poosam Tamil Anne Anne Anbu Anne Naagaraajane Vaali Shankar–Ganesh 1991 Sravana Masam Telugu Anna Anna Manchi Anna Shankar–Ganesh 1992 Dheiva Kuzhandhai Tamil Aana Maamaa Aana Maamaa Vaali Shankar–Ganesh Aanaavum Aavanaavum Solli Thandheenga Vaali 1992 Sivasangkari Tamil Mama Mama Naanthane Nagamma Vaali Shankar–Ganesh Swarnalatha Amaadi Abiraami Nalla Vazhi Nee Kaami Vaali Swarnalatha1992 Naga Bala Telugu Mama Mama Nenega Naagamma Shankar–Ganesh Swarnalatha Swarnalatha1993 Sivarathiri Tamil Naadhar Mudi Mel Irukkum Vaali Shankar-Ganesh Thenaali Raamaa Nee Vaali 1993 Sivarathiri Telugu Nataraaju Haaraani Naagaraaju Shankar-Ganesh Thenaali Raamanna Raa Unreleased Nagarathil Thirudargal Tamil Raajaatthi Koondhalukku Rojapoo Vaangi Vandhu Shankar–Ganesh L. R. Eswari