Thenkarai Ramakrishna Mahalingam (TRM) was already a singing sensation on stage when AV Meyyappa Chettiar cast him in the role of Krishna in the film NandakumarReleased in 1938, when TRM was only 14 years old.
TRM’s first box office hit was a Meyappa Chettiar film. Sri ValliReleased in 1945. SG Kittappa, whom TRM admired, had popularised the compositions of poet Kunjara Bharati Ellorayam Polave (Raaga Shuddha Saveri) sung by T.R.M. Sri ValliLike Kittappa, TRM also sang in one shruti Anju Kattai (G scale)
TRM’s next hit in 1947 was Name IruvarWhich was also made by Meyappa Chettiar. TRM played the role of the hero Sukumar. During the shooting of the film, his son was born and he was named Sukumar. In 1948, TRM and AVM worked together again Vedala UlagamWhich was faithfully translated as ‘Demon Land’ even in 78 rpm record labels. It was a fictional film that appealed to both children and adults. Comedian Sarangapani’s line “Idliyare Vaanga, Vaayathukkulla Poonga”, became a slogan of sorts in many homes where idlis were served.
From Name Iruvar| Photo courtesy: The Hindu Archives
TRM sang Bharathi’s ‘Senthamiz Nadenum Podhinile’ as the title song. In TRM’s song ‘Maha Sugeetha Roopa Sundari’ the hero sings a love song for the heroine Rajeevi (actress Mangalam). Interestingly, this tune was used in the Ilaiyaraaja song ‘Madana Moha Roopa Sundari’ sung in the film by Malaysia Vasudevan. indru poi nalai va. in the same year at Modern Theatres Adithan KanavuTRM sang ‘Madurmana Ruchi Ulladhe’ which is popularly known as ‘Palgova’ song.
TRM soon became rich, and he built a big house on Royapettah High Road, which he named Sukumar Bhavanam. TRM owned 17 cars! Whenever a new car arrived in India, he would buy it from TVS, who were the dealers of imported vehicles at that time. Along with the car, a scale model car also came for his son Sukumar to play with. Unfortunately, just when things were going well for TRM, he ventured into film production, and ended up in debt. But his luck turned when Kannadasan offered him the hero’s role in his film Malaiyitta MangaiKannadasan’s son Gandhi says in 1958, “My father’s script was based on Sarat Chandra Chatterjee’s story. He wrote 17 songs for the film. Father ignored warnings that the film would not do well because Mahalingam was no longer in the news. Father paid him generously, helped pay off his debts.”
Mahalingam as Narada Shrivalli.
| Photo courtesy: The Hindu Archives
“Kannadasan gifted one of his imported cars to Thatha,” says TRM’s granddaughter Prabha.
Kannadasan was so impressed by Rafi’s song ‘Mohabbat Chhume Jinke Haath’ (film) that he said, aan; music Naushad), that they wrote a song in the same meter. MSV and TKR gave the first line the same tune as the first line of the original. That song is the famous ‘Senthamiz Thenmozhiyal’ I ordered malaiyitta. The film was shot in just 39 days. It was released at the Paragon theatre and ran for 91 days. When Kannadasan’s friends suggested that he should continue it for another nine days to reach the coveted 100-day mark, he refused and said that a film should run on its own and should not be pushed towards pre-determined targets. The film helped TRM get back on track and achieve prosperity.
PU Chinnappa with Mahalingam | Photo courtesy: The Hindu Archives
TRM never forgot Kannadasan’s timely help. “When I went to TRM’s house in Thenkarai, I found two photographs – one of TRM and the other of my father,” says Gandhi.
TRM’s songs had variety. “He sang a Gana song – ‘Irundha Nawabsa’ in 1959 (film) Abhalai Anjugam).Once when Meyyappa Chettiar was leaving after attending the wedding reception of TKS Kalaivanan, TRM started singing ‘Kodi Kodi Inbam Thaarave’ from the 1960 movie. ada vand devam“I returned home and Chettiar was about to get into his car when he came back to listen to the song,” says Prabha.
TRM was a good host and had many friends in the industry and political circles. Both MGR and Karunanidhi visited him in Thenkarai. Pattikada Pattannama Shot in Sholavandan, Sivaji and Jayalalithaa stayed at TRM’s house, and many scenes were shot in his fields. His help is acknowledged in the opening credits.
Perhaps he could have continued working in films if he had agreed to become a playback singer. But he wanted to sing only if he was playing the role. TRM went back to his village, where he continued to sing in concerts and plays. “Before going for a concert, he would call out to his brother Lakshmanan, who lived three houses away. If Lakshmanan could hear his voice, he would conclude that his voice was fine,” says Prabha.
Mahalingam and M.V. Rajamma Beautiful knowledge.
| Photo Credit:- The Hindu Archives
TRM died of a heart attack at the age of 53. “My cousin Rajesh (Sukumar’s son) has organised a two-day function at Thenkarai for grandfather’s centenary, which falls on June 16,” says Prabha.
TRM’s life oscillated between many extremes – from Vedic background to Dravidian ideology, from rural life to the glitz of cinema, and then back to rural tranquility. But through it all, one thing remained with him – music.
