T. R. Mahalingam

Thenkarai Ramakrishna Mahalingam (16 June 1924 – 21 April 1978) born in Sholavandan Thenkarai was an Indian actor and playback singer of the 1940s and 1950s. He was known for his melodious songs mostly based on romantic or devotional themes.

Early days Mahalingam's career as an actor and singer began since his childhood. He regularly appeared in stage plays popularly called special dramas. Mahalingam trained as a singer during the time when microphones and amplifiers were rarely present in performance halls. His music training, like those of singers S. G. Kittappa, Krishnan, M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and to a large extent TMS, stressed voice projection and singing loud so as to be audible in large auditoriums. So it was that in 1933, when the prominent singer Kittappa died at the early age of 28, Mahalingam got his first break in films.

Acting In 1937, at the age of 14, Mahalingam got the chance to appear in the film Nandakumar, the third film produced by AVM. The film was based on the story of Lord Krishna wherein Mahalingam was chosen to play the lead role. The film failed at the box office in all the three languages (Tamil, Hindi and Marathi) in which it was made. Nevertheless, it received great accolades for its songs.

Mahalingam got his big break in the film Sri Valli made at the height of the Second World War, in which he played the part of Lord Murugan. The film did well at the box-office and established Mahalingam's reputation as both an actor and a singer.

Music composers he sang for Many music directors gave him memorable songs, including S. V. Venkatraman, K. V. Mahadevan, Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, G. Ramanathan, Sharma Brothers, T. A. Kalyanam, C. N. Pandurangan, Lalitha Venkatraman, T. Rajagopala Sarma, C. R. Subbaraman, T. G. Lingappa, S. Rajeswara Rao, R. Sudarsanam, and Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan.

Playback singers he sang with While Mahalingam had many solo hit songs, he also sang with other singers.

He sang the most number of duets with S. Varalakshmi.

He also sang duets with other female singers: P. A. Periyanayaki, T. R. Rajakumari, P. Bhanumathi, T. V. Rathnam, A. P. Komala, Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, T. S. Bagavathi, S. Janaki, P. Leela and P. Susheela.

He was also paired to sing with male singers such as Sirkazhi Govindarajan and S. C. Krishnan.

Filmography Year Film Language Banner 1938 Nandhakumar Tamil AVM Productions 1939 Prahaladha Tamil Salem Sankar Films 1940 Bhooloka Rambai Tamil Salem Shanmugha Films & Vijaya Maruthi Pictures 1940 Parasuramar Tamil Angel Films 1941 Sathi Murali Tamil Central Studios 1942 Sathi Sukanya Tamil Sri Meenakshi Film Company 1942 Maya Jothi Tamil Modern Theatres 1942 Manonmani Tamil Modern Theatres 1943 Dhaasippen or Jothi Malar Tamil Bhuvaneshwari Pictures 1944 Baktha Hanuman Tamil Raman Pictures 1945 Sri Valli Tamil Pragathi Studios 1947 Naam Iruvar Tamil AVM Productions 1948 Gnana Soundari Tamil Newton Studio 1948 Vedhala Ulagam Tamil AVM Productions 1948 Adhithan Kanavu Tamil Modern Theatres 1949 Pavalakodi Tamil Pakshiraja Studios 1949 Mayavathi Tamil Ganapathy Pictures 1949 Inbavalli Tamil Shyamala Pictures 1950 Laila Majnu Tamil Balaji Pictures 1950 Ithaya Geetham Tamil Citadel Film Corporation 1950 Macha Rekai Tamil Sukumar Productions 1950 Parijatham Tamil Sukumar Productions 1951 Mohana Sundaram Tamil Sukumar Productions 1952 Velaikaran Tamil Sri Valli Productions 1952 Chinna Durai Tamil Sukumar Productions 1954 Vilayattu Bommai Tamil Sukumar Productions 1958 Maalaiyitta Mangai Tamil Kannadasan Films 1959 Manimekalai Tamil Sekhar Art Film Enterprises 1959 Abalai Anjugam Tamil Aruna Films 1959 Amudhavalli Tamil Jupiter Pictures 1960 Thanthaikku Pin Thamaiyan Tamil Surya Films 1960 Aada Vandha Deivam Tamil Majestic Studios 1960 Rathinapuri Ilavarasi Tamil Sri Vinayaka Pictures 1960 Kavalai Illaadha Manithan Tamil Kannadasan Productions 1961 Ennai Paar Tamil Pazhaniappa Productions 1961 Sri Valli Tamil Narasu Studio 1963 Pannaiyar Magan (Unreleased) Tamil RA Pictures 1965 Thiruvilaiyadal Tamil Sri Vijayalakshmi Pictures 1971 Ilangeswaran Tamil Shashti Pictures 1971 Kannan Karunai Tamil NAD 1972 Agathiyar Tamil Sri Vijayalakshmi Pictures 1972 Thiruneelakandar Tamil Sudarkodi Films 1973 Rajaraja Cholan Tamil Anand Movies 1973 Thirumalai Deivam Tamil Shanthi Combines 1977 Sri Krishna Leela Tamil Sree Umaiyambikai Pictures

Discoraphy Year Film Language Song Music Co-Singer 1938 Nandhakumar Tamil S. V. Venkatraman 1939 Prahaladha Tamil Sharma Brothers 1940 Bhooloka Rambai Tamil G. Ramanathan 1940 Parasuramar Tamil G. Ramanathan 1940 Sathi Murali Tamil 1941 Dayalan Tamil Enake Jayam Kidaithathuve Parimala Mihuvana N. V. Krishnan 1942 Manonmani Tamil T. A. Kalyanam & K. V. Mahadevan 1943 Dhaasippen or Jothi Malar Tamil Lalitha Venkatraman & S. Rajeswara Rao 1945 Sri Valli Tamil Kaayadha Kaanagatthe.... Mevaadha Maan T. Rajagopala Sarma & R. Sudarsanam Premayaladhey P. A. Periyanayaki Na Dhi Dha Dhim Singaara Rooba Aalngaari P. A. Periyanayaki1947 Nam Iruvar Tamil Iga Vaazhvinile Aanandham R. Sudarsanam T. S. Bagavathi Solai Malaroliyo T. S. Bagavathi Jega Meedhile Mei Kaadhalthaane T. S. Bagavathi Devaamudha Mozhiyaale Viduthalai Viduthalai Viduthalai Kodaiyile Ilaipaatrikolla 1948 Gnana Soundari Tamil Kaadhalitthaalum Inbam Melaam S. V. Venkatraman P. A. Periyanayaki Mana Mohanane P. A. Periyanayaki Mannile Kadalil Arunothayaanandhame Vanithamaniye Mounameno Jegamel Naan Ini Bhagyavaane Vaazhvinil En Uyir Vadivaana 1948 Vedhala Ulagam Tamil Senthamizh Naadennum Podhinile R. Sudarsanam Kalviyil Sirandha Thamizh Nadu Mahaasugitha Rooba Sundhari Aadhi Paraasakthi Satthiyam Seidhu Tharuven Un Manam Kalangaadho Dhayai Purivai Sendhazhavum Vennilave T. S. Bagavathi 1948 Adhithan Kanavu Tamil Madhuramaana Rusiyullathe G. Ramanathan Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi 1949 Pavalakkodi Tamil Annam Vaangalaiyo C. R. Subburaman Arjuna Mahaaraajan 1949 Mayavathi Tamil Pennenum Maaya Peyaam Poi Maadharai G. Ramanathan Maane En Prema Raani M. L. Vasanthakumari Manamohiniye Unnai Maravene Sadhaa Un Haasyamevum 1949 Inbavalli Tamil Inbamana Mohini Maane G. Ramanathan P. Leela Natha En Aasai T. V. Rathnam Anbe Perum Nidhiye P. A. Periyanayaki Eno Innum Vara1950 Laila Majnu Tamil Varuvaaro Maangkuyile Sol S. V. Venkatraman T. S. Bagavathi Sanjalak Kadalile.... Yaar Poi Solluvar Paaril Anaathi Naanallave Ezhil Vaanil Vilaiyaaduvome Parandhu Selludhe En Paingkili Anudhinam Sandoshamakave T. S. Bagavathi Paingiliye Mano Raagini T. S. Bagavathi Vanna Maane Un Ninaivaale Maadharase Mayile Paavi Ennai Poloruvar T. S. Bagavathi1950 Parijatham Tamil Vaan Nilave S. V. Venkatraman & C. R. Subburaman T. V. Rathnam Porumaiyae Inbam Tharum 1950 Ithaya Geetham Tamil Vaanulaavum Thaarai Nee S. V. Venkatraman T. R. Rajakumari Odi Vaa Venmugil Pole T. R. Rajakumari Aaasai Kiliyai Azhaithu Vaaraai Thendrale Jeyame Ini Mele Bayamillai Ini K. Sarangapani1950 Macha Rekai Tamil Kalai Maanaip Pola C. R. Subburaman Ellam Irunthenna... Aaadharavilaa S. Varalakshmi Devi Jaganmaathaa Antho Puvimel Adimaiyaaga Vin Mel Thavazhnthu Sellum Odathe Unnai Vida Matten S. Varalakshmi Kanavilum Maravene Naan S. Varalakshmi Androru Naal Unthan 1950 Sukumar Tamil 1951 Mohana Sundaram Tamil O Jagamadhil Inbam T. G. Lingappa S. Varalakshmi Pulli Maanaippola S. Varalakshmi Kanneer Thaano S. Varalakshmi Kanavilum Unnai Maraven Paattu Venuma Oru Paattu Ninaivellam Neeya 1952 Chinna Durai Tamil Nilave Neethan Oru T. G. Lingappa Thiraiye Nee Thoodhu Chellayao Jegam Yaavum Kaadhal Mayame A. G. Rathnamala1952 Theruppaadagan Tamil Adivarum Thendralile Nandhalaalaa G. Ramanathan Oindhadhu Ullamadhe.... Neeyum Naanum Kaidhi Ulagathu Naayagiye Engal Muthu Maaariyamma 1952 Velaikaran Tamil Enadhullam Neeyarindhe R. Sudarsanam Kaadhalum Poi Aagume S. Varalakshmi1954 Vilayattu Bommai Tamil Mohathai Konruvidu T. G. Lingappa Theertha Karaiyinile Inba Vaanil Ulaavum Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi Mullaimalar Kodiyin Nizhalile Vidhikku Manidhane 1958 Maalaiyitta Mangai Tamil Vengiyum Kumari.... Engal Draavida Ponnaadu Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy Sillendru Pootha.... Senthamizh Thenmozhiyaal Naanandri Yaar Varuvaar A. P. Komala Thingal Mudi Soodum 1959 Manimekalai Tamil Kanngalin Vennilave G. Ramanathan P. Bhanumathi Aandavan Thamizhanada Unnai Kaana Engum Aanndavan Padaippinile Naan Kannda 1959 Abalai Anjugam Tamil Ilaiya Kanniyin Azhagiya Vadhanam K. V. Mahadevan S. Janaki Vennile Kudai Pidikka P. Susheela Pirapokkum Ellaa Uyirkum Ikkaraikku Akkarai Pachai Thoondil Poattu Izhutha Pazhikaara Ulagamadaa Idhu Nal Vazhiye Nadandhu 1959 Amudhavalli Tamil Aadai Katti Vandha Nilavo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy P. Susheela Kannirandum Ondrai Ondru Aadalama Nalam Aadalama P. Leela Pitham Theliya Marundhondru Paasaththaal Enai Eendra Iyal Isai Naadaga Kalaiyaale S. C. Krishnan Kaalam Enum Oru Aazha Kadalinil P. Susheela1960 Aadavantha Deivam Tamil Aasai Kondaen Amudhamae K. V. Mahadevan Kodi Kodi Inbam Peravae Sangam Muzhangivarum Singaara P. Susheela Sottu Sottunu Sottudhu Paaru P. Susheela Kodi Kodi Inbam Peravae P. Susheela 1960 Kavalai Illaadha Manithan Tamil Naan Deivama Illai Nee Deivama Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy 1960 Rathinapuri Ilavarasi Tamil Padikka Padikka Nenjil Inikkum Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy S. Janaki Kaadhalukku Naanku Kanngal En Endru Ketkave Aalillai 1960 Thanthaikku Pin Thamaiyan Tamil Inbam Malarum Anbile K. V. Mahadevan Kaaviriyin Neeraadi Kalai Valarkkum Yeru Pondra Thamizh Magane Otrumaiyaal Vetriyelaam Kulungi Vizhum Maaligaiyil 1961 Ennai Paar Tamil Kaatchiyum Neethan Karpaniyum Neethan T. G. Lingappa S. Janaki Edhirkondu Varaverkkudhe S. Janaki Dhasaradha Raaja Kumaaraa Alangaaraa 1961 Sri Valli Tamil Karpaga Cholaiyile G. Ramanathan Thandhaikku Annaalil Mandhiratthai Mogana Punnagaiyil Enakkoru Mogam Gnana Pazhame Mei Gnana Pazhame Unakkagave Pirandha Azhagan 1963 Pannaiyar Magan(Unreleased) Tamil Kalaivaani Kalyaani Unmeni G. Ramanathan P. Susheela Tamil Naattu Palagaaram 1965 Thiruvilayadal Tamil Illaadhathondrillai Eellaamum Nee K. V. Mahadevan Isai Thamizh Nee Seidha 1971 Agathiyar Tamil Aandavan Dharisaname Mei Adiyar Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan Isaiyai Thamizhai Iruppavane Seerkazhi Govindarajan Malainindra Thirukumaraa Muzhu Mudhar Porule Namachivaya Ena Seerkazhi Govindarajan 1971 Ilangeswaran Tamil Dhasaradha Raajakumaaraa S. M. Subbaiah Naidu 1971 Kannan Karunai Tamil Eno Unakkindha Maayajaalam S. V. Venkatraman P. Susheela Inbavalli Vaazh Vidharba Naattai T. M. Soundararajan Thaamarai Idhazh Kannan P. Susheela1972 Thiruneelakandar Tamil Nattiya Kalai C. N. Pandurangan Ambalavaananai Nambiya Kadalil Vizhuntha Or Kakkai Thaayae Thandhaiyae Etthanai Per Unnakku Sivaleelai En Veettila Aandavan Thaan Vanthu Pantha Pasa Kattukulle S. Janaki1973 Rajaraja Cholan Tamil Thanjai Periya Koyil Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan Seerkazhi Govindarajan & S. Varalakshmi Thendralodu Udanpiranthaal Sivaji Ganesan (dialogues) 1973 Thirumalai Deivam Tamil Thiruvarul Tharum Dheivam Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan 1977 Sri Krishna Leela Tamil Naaranane Unadhu S. V. Venkatraman