Tiruchi loganathan biography

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M.K Thyagaraja Bhagawatar , P.U Chinnappa, K B Sundarambal, N.C Vasantha Kokilam etc are some of the names one could think of. Could be possible that  my search was not exhaustive . TL’s close associate Seerkazhi also joins at the end of the song and makes it an evergreen song.

• Yendru thaniyum intha suthanthira thaagam- Kappalottiya Tamizhan-1961-G Ramanathan-Mahakavi Subrahmanya Bharatiyaar

The longing for freedom,  so nicely written by the Mahakavi is poignantly brought out in TL’s singing.

This tune is basically an inspired one ( from  The laughing Policeman by Charles Penrose ) but in my very humble opinion, both Ghantasala , the music composer and TL , the singer,  have to be complimented  for elevating the song to a different level. Maybe it was his own choice to take an early retirement. In that film,  for  M.N Nambiar,  Tiruchi Loganathan  sang Kattinile Naangal Vazhvathe -a duet with K.V Janaki who was the first female playback singer in Tamil films.

Towards the late 40’s,   a new trend started  when some of the actors who were not basically  singers got to “ sing” them on screen with the help of playback singers. His early training in classical Carnatic music laid a strong foundation for his future as a playback singer. His voice was known for its resonance and depth, making him well-suited for the emerging film music scene in Tamil cinema.

The Birth of Tamil Playback Singing

The concept of playback singing, where songs were pre-recorded by professional singers and then lip-synced by actors on screen, was introduced to Tamil cinema in the 1940s.

Listen to that song that could be MSV’s first composed song!!
 

Then came the 1950 film Manthiri Kumari , and with the immortal song “ Vaarai Nee Vaarai, there was no looking back for Tiruchi Loganathan .

There is both an element of anger or frustration and at the same time a  sense of sadness in Mahakavi’s words and if you hear it keenly , TL has brought out the emotions so finely.

• Thanneer Vittom Valarthom- Kappalottiya Tamizhan-1961-G Ramanathan-Mahakavi Subrahmanya Bharatiyaar

Only a truly great playback singer can render a ‘Kalyana Samayal Sadam’ and a ‘ Thanneer Vittom Valarthom’ with equal fervour.

Such a contrast in style! Thangavelu has enacted on screen so well!

• Kangalum Kavipaduthey-Adutha Veetu Pen-1960-Adi Narayana Rao- Thanjai N  Ramaiah Dass-With Seerkazhi Govindarajan

Almost a decade later  the team of Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey , Mehmood , RD Burman came out with the boisterous Ek Chatur Naar Karke Singaar song  in the film Padosan ( a remake of Adutha Veetu Pen)  .

Although the actual hero in the film was the veteran MGR , this was picturized on S.A Natarajan, playing an anti-hero  role. The anecdote I had mentioned in the introduction about TL introducing Seerkazhi Govindarajan to the producer for the hero’s song was pertaining to this film.

• Cycle varuthu cycle varuthu-Neelavukku Neranja Manasu-1958-K.V.Mahadevan-A.

  It is said TL fainted after completing the recording of this song .

  To know that he refused to take remuneration for the songs in this film proves what dedicated artists we had those days.

  • Chinna arumbu malarum-Pangaaligal-1961-S Dakshinamurthi-A Maruthakasi

  I come to the end of my short compilation with a soulful lullaby sung by TL for an unlikely actor on screen.

  His work in the movies Manthiri Kumari (1950) and Parasakthi (1952) is memorable. One can never imagine KVM , more famous for his classical based songs, coming out with such a peppy comical song . One more feather in TL’s cap-what a complete playback singer he was. Ghantasala, T. M. Ibrahim, S. Rajeswara Rao, S. Hanumantha Rao, T. Chalapathi Rao, P.

  Adinarayana Rao, M. Ranga Rao, M. B. Srinivasan, and Shankar-Ganesh. Truly a rocking number! As one of the foundational figures of Tamil cinema music, his legacy continues to inspire and influence playback singers to this day, and his timeless songs remain a treasured part of Tamil cultural heritage.