Chennai — Renowned Tamil composer MS Viswanathan died at a hospital in Chennai on Tuesday morning. He has been ailing for some time and was undergoing treatment; he was 87.
Fondly called MSV, the composer was admitted to the hospital for old-age related ailments and breathing problems. He was showing improvement before his condition suddenly deteriorated, reported Hindustan Times..
MSV was a popular music director in the Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam film industries. He had over 750 movies to his credit.
He started his career as composer for 1952 film Tamil Panam, starring Sivaji Ganeshan.
The composer worked with three Tamil Nadu chief ministers during his long career — MG Ramachandran, M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa.
He is best remembered for his work on films such as Bama Vijayam, Galatta Kalyanam, Deivamagan, Moondru Dheivangal, Rickshawkarana, Bharatha Vilas and Ulagam Sutrum Valibana. He also worked in Malayalam films such as Manthrakodi and Babu Mon.
MSV also successfully collaborated with composer TK Ramamoorthy on films such as Paasamalar, Sumaithaangi and Server Sundaram. He is a recipient of Kalamamani and several other music awards
Viswanathan’s wife Janaki died in 2012. A year later, his best friend and composer T.K. Ramamurthy too died. MSV is survived by four sons and three daughters. His last rites will be performed on Wednesday.