Thiruchirappalli Govindarajulu Lingappa (22 August 1927 – 5 February 2000) was an Indian music director who worked predominantly in

Kannada Kannada (; ಕನ್ನಡ, ), originally romanised Canarese, is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by the people of Karnataka in southwestern India, with minorities in all neighbouring states. It has around 47 million native s ...

language films. He also worked in

Tamil Tamil may refer to: * Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia ** Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils **Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia * Tamil language, na ...

and

Telugu Telugu may refer to: * Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India *Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India * Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language ** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode ...

movies. Sabhash Meena 1958
/ref> He was the son of G. Govindarajulu Naidu who was also a musician.

Early life

T.G. Lingappa was the second son and had learned music from his father G. Govindarajulu Naidu. His family stayed in Thiruchi. This is where

M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Mayavaram Krishnasamy Thiyagaraja Bhagavathar (1 March 1910 – 1 November 1959), also known by his initials as M. K. T., was an Indian actor, producer and Carnatic singer. He is considered to be one of the most successful actors in Tamil cine ...

(MKT) used to sing in their house and G. Govindarajulu Naidu introduced MKT to his children. G. Govindarajulu was a harmonium player in special dramas, but was also known as the one who taught music for

K. B. Sundarambal Kodumudi Balambal Sundarambal (1908–1980) was an Indian actress and singer from Erode district, Tamil Nadu. She performed in Tamil cinema and was referred to as the "Queen of the Indian stage."

. He also sold musical instruments and gramophone in Thiruchi, but the business was not doing very well. T. G. Lingappa had learned to play several musical instruments. In 1940, G. Govindarajulu Naidu took his family to Madras to look for greener pasture there.

Career life

At the age of 14, Lingappa tried to act in the film Kamathenu which was produced by Visvanathan. Instead Visvanathan had asked Lingappa to sing and to remain with him for sometime to given chance. He stayed a few months and when it is not fruitful and then moved on. Since he is able to play musical instruments, he then joined the Mayoora Film Orchestra and played

harmonium The pump organ is a type of free-reed organ that generates sound as air flows past a vibrating piece of thin metal in a frame. The piece of metal is called a reed. Specific types of pump organ include the reed organ, harmonium, and melodeon. Th ...

mandoline A mandoline used for slicing a carrot A mandoline (US, ) or mandolin (British, /ˌmandəˈlɪn/, /ˈmandəlɪn/, /ˈmandl̩ɪn/), is a culinary utensil used for slicing and for cutting juliennes; with suitable attachments, it can make crinkle- ...

and guitar. This orchestra used to play music for films and gramophone. It sis to be noted that Lingappa played instruments for ''

Ashok Kumar Kumudlal Ganguly (13 October 1911 – 10 December 2001), better known by his stage name Ashok Kumar and also by Dadamoni, was an Indian actor who attained iconic status in Indian cinema and who was a member of the cinematic Ganguly family. He ...

'' (1941) and he was earning salary of 30 monthly . In the same year Lingappa approached

Gemini Studios Gemini Studios was an Indian film studio based in Madras, Tamil Nadu. It was launched when S. S. Vasan, a businessman of many ventures (including the ownership of Ananda Vikatan) bought Motion Picture Producers' Combines from Krishnaswamy Sub ...

to try his luck.

C. Ramchandra Ramchandra Narhar Chitalkar (12 January 1918 – 5 January 1982), also known as C. Ramchandra or Chitalkar or Anna Sahib, was an Indian music director and playback singer.

was working there with other older artistes. But Lingappa was rejected due to his young age. Not giving up, Lingappa proceeded to Salem to try his chance in

Modern Theatres Modern Theaters Ltd was an Indian film studio in Salem, Tamil Nadu started by T. R. Sundaram Mudaliar in 1935. The studio produced over more than 150 films until 1982 in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, Sinhalese and even English of ...

when music director T. A. Kalyanam invited him. There Lingappa met

T. R. Pappa Thiruthuraipoondi Radhakrishnan Sivasankaran (T. R. Pappa) (3 July 1922 – 15 October 2004) was an Indian music director of Tamil, Telugu and Sinhalese films. He was born in 1923 at Thiruthuraipoondi, Madras Presidency, British India. Earl ...

and

K. V. Mahadevan Krishnankoil Venkadachalam Mahadevan (14 March 1918 – 21 June 2001) was an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, music producer, and musician known for his works in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada films. He is best known for his contributi ...

. It was the time during the 1940s where everyone was circumambulating all available studios for opportunities. In 1945, Lingappa returned to Madras and worked under

R. Sudarsanam Ramakrishna Sudarsanam (26 April 1914 – 26 March 1991) was an Indian music composer who had worked in Tamil, Hindi, Kannada Malayalam, Telugu and Sinhala film industry Career Ramakrishna Sudarsanam entered the Tamil film industry w ...

in the Pragathy Studios and he played instruments in the film '' Sri Valli'' (1945). Lingappa went to Karakkudi to play musical instruments when

AVM Productions AVM Productions is an Indian film production studio founded by A. V. Meiyappan. It is the final oldest survived studio in India. The filming studios are located in Vadapalani, Chennai. It has produced over 300 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, M ...

made '' Nam Iruvar'' (1947). In 1948, he returned to Madras and worked under

C. R. Subburaman C. R. Subbaraman also known as C. S. Ram (1916–1952) was a famous South Indian film music composer and producer. He was born to Ramasamy at Chintamani village in Thirunelveli, in present-day Tamil Nadu. Music director Shankar of Shankar–Gan ...

. All these experience under different renowned music directors had sparked an idea to be a freelance musician. He went on to purchase modern instruments from abroad, especially London where he bought the electric guitar. Lingappa was well capable of playing the guitar. Music directors

G. Ramanathan Gopalan Iyer Ramanathan was an Indian music composer for Tamil movies. He is also known as ''Isai Methai'' (Genius of Music) or ''Sangeetha Chakravarthy'' (Emperor of Music) and is considered to be one of the influential Tamil music composers ...

S. V. Venkatraman Sozhavanthan Varadharajan Venkatraman (Tamil: சோழவந்தான் வரதராஜன் வெங்கட்ராமன்) (25 April 1911 – 7 April 1998), also known as SVV, was an Indian actor, singer, and music director, wh ...

and

had used Lingappa for several of their songs. From then on Lingappa was playing many instruments under all the leading music directors. He worked with singers like T. M. Soundararajan, A. M. Rajah,

Seerkazhi Govindarajan Sirkazhi Govindarajan (19 January 1933 – 24 March 1988) was an Indian Tamil Carnatic vocalist and a leading playback singer of Indian cinema. Early life Govindarajan, was born on 19 January 1933 at Sirkazhi (a small town in present day M ...

, V. N. Sundaram, S. C. Krishnan,

M. L. Vasanthakumari Madras Lalitangi Vasanthakumari (popularly referred to as MLV) (3 July 1928 – 31 October 1990) was a Carnatic musician and playback singer for film songs in many Indian languages. MLV and her contemporaries D. K. Pattammal and M. S. Subbulak ...

, P. Leela,

Jikki Pillavalu Gajapathy Krishnaveni (3 November 1935 – 16 August 2004), more famously known as Jikki, was an Indian playback singer from Andhra Pradesh. She sang around 10,000 songs in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, and Sinhalese langua ...

, T. V. Rathnam, A. P. Komala, Radha Jayalakshmi,

Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi ( ta, சூலமங்கலம் ஜெயலட்சுமி) and Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi ( ta, சூலமங்கலம் ராஜலட்சுமி), popularly known as Soolamangalam Sisters ( ta, � ...

, K. Jamuna Rani,

P. Susheela Pulapaka Susheela (born 13 November 1935), popularly known as P. Susheela, is an Indian playback singer associated with the South Indian cinema primarily from Andhra Pradesh for over six decades. She is one of the greatest and best-known playba ...

, K. Rani and

S. Janaki Sistla Janaki (born 23 April 1938) is an Indian playback singer and occasional music composer from Andhra Pradesh. She is referred to respectfully as "Janaki Amma" and Nightingale of South India. She is one of the best-known playback singers in ...

. The singing actors

M. M. Dandapani Desikar M M Dandapani Desikar (August 27, 1908 – June 26, 1972) was a Carnatic vocalist, actor and composer. 'Isai Arasu' Dandapani Desikar was born in Tiruchengattangudi, near Nannilam in Madras Presidency. He got training from Manicka Desikar and Kum ...

, T. R. Mahalingam, K. R. Ramasamy,

U. R. Jeevarathinam Unjalur Ramayamma Jeevaratnam was an Indian actress, singer, producer and playback singer. Most of her works are in Telugu and Tamil languages. Early life Born in Unjalur, Erode, Madras Presidency in British India to Subramaniam and Kunjammaal ...

, N. S. Krishnan,

T. A. Madhuram T. A. Mathuram (14 October 1918 – 23 May 1974) was an Indian stage and film actress and singer. Biography and career Mathuram was born in Srirangam on 14 October 1918 in a family of artists. Her first Tamil film was Rathnaavali released i ...

and J. P. Chandrababu also sang memorable songs under his compositions.

T. G. Lingappa and T. R. Mahalingam

T. R. Mahalingam had produced his first film ''Macha Regai'' (1950) where the music was done by

. His manager was B. R. Panthulu. Since

died suddenly, T. R. Mahalingam who had known Lingappa from earlier and became closer in the film '' Nam Iruvar'', gave Lingappa chance to compose music for his second production ''

Mohana Sundaram ''Mohana Sundaram'' is a 1951 Indian Tamil-language crime thriller film written and directed by A. T. Krishnaswamy. An adaptation of J. R. Rangaraju's detective novel of the same name, the film stars T. R. Mahalingam and S. Varalakshmi. It wa ...

'' (1951). There are more than ten songs in ''Mohanasundaram''. It was also that J. P. Chandrababu sang first ''Hello My dear Darling, Hello My rose charming''. The success of the songs are due to T. R. Mahalingam and Lingappa both knew carnatic music, cooperated and discussed the tunes together. After that T. R. Mahalingam used Lingappa in his other movies like '' Chinna Durai'' and '' Vilayattu Bommai''.

T. G. Lingappa and B. R. Panthulu

B. R. Panthulu separated from T. R. Mahalingam and started

Padmini Pictures Padmini, Sanskrit for "She who sits on the lotus", a reference to the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, may refer to: People Given name * Rani Padmini (fl. 13th/14th centuries), Rani of the Mewar kingdom * Padmini (actress) (1932–2006), Indian actress and ...

for which banner Lingappa composed most number of films in Tamil. The first film of B. R. Panthulu was '' Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachari'' (1954), a

Sivaji Ganesan Villupuram Chinnaiya Manrayar Ganesamoorthy, better known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan, (1 October 1928 – 21 July 2001) was an Indian actor and producer. He was active in Tamil cinema during the latter half of the 20th century. Sivaji G ...

starrer directed by P. Neelakantan. There are excellent songs in the film. The

Bharathidasan Bharathidasan Birth name: K. Subburathinam, the person's given name: Subburathinam, father's given name: Kanagasabai. (K. Subburathinam by the prevalent patronymic initials as prefix naming system in Tamil Nadu and it is Subburathinam Kanag ...

song ''Vennilaavum Vaanum Pol'' was first sung by

in the stages. Lingappa obtained his permission to use the same song in Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachaari with some modifications and after the approval of the tune by Baradidasan, Radha Jayalakshmi sang the song. V. N. Sundaram sang the comedy song ''Kaviyin Kanavil Vaazhum Oviyame'' in which he combines light music with carnatic tune. J. P. Chandrababu sang for Sivaji ''Jolly Life Jolly Life''. This film and songs became hit. B. R. Panthulu again booked Lingappa for

starrer '' Mudhal Thethi'' (1955). ''

Thangamalai Ragasiyam ''Thangamalai Ragasiyam'' () is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language adventure film produced and directed by B. R. Panthulu. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, T. R. Rajakumari and Jamuna. It was simultaneously made in Kannada as '' Rathnagiri Rahasya''. ...

'' (1958) is another film that lifted P. Suseela to great heights. The song is ''Amuthai Pozhiyum Nilave''. The same film was taken in Hindi and this song was retained with Hindi words. Again it became a success in the Hindi circles. Lingappa continued on composing for ''

Sabaash Meena ''Sabaash Meena'' () is a 1958 Indian Tamil-language comedy film produced and directed by B. R. Panthulu. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, B. Saroja Devi, Chandrababu and Malini, with Panthulu and S. V. Ranga Rao in supporting roles. It was rele ...

'' (1958), ''

Engal Kudumbam Perisu School Master may refer to: *Schoolmaster The word schoolmaster, or simply master, refers to a male school teacher. This usage survives in British independent schools, both secondary and preparatory, and a few Indian boarding schools (such a ...

'' (1958) and '' Kuzhandhaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu'' (1960). He then went on to compose in Kannada movies. After a break he came back to compose in ''

Muradan Muthu ''Muradan Muthu'' () is a 1964 Indian Tamil-language film, directed and produced by B. R. Panthulu. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Devika, M. V. Rajamma and Chandrakantha. It was released on 3 November 1964. The film was simultaneously shot in ...

'' (1964). That was the last film where B. R. Pantulu used Sivaji Ganesan. However, Lingappa continued on working with Panthulu in many more Kannada films till the early 1970s. There were Malayalam films too. The last collaboration was ''Kadavul Mama'' (1974) before the demise of Panthulu.

Works

''Vaazhviley Oru Naal'' (1956) produced by T. S. Venkataswami who is the husband of

. In this movie Lingappa there is a duet ''Thendrale Varaayo Inba Sugam Tharayo'' by T. M. Soundararajan and

. It is said by Lingappa himself that there are at least two songs that he composed, but came to be used by other music directors. One is ''Kunguma Poove'' which J. P. Chandrababu learnt under Lingappa and sang for

S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Subburayulu Munuswami Subbaiah Naidu (a.k.a. SMS) (15 March 1914 – 26 May 1979) was an Indian composer, conductor, and orchestrator. He was one of the oldest music directors. He worked as an in-house music composer for Central Studios and ...

in ''Maragatham'' (1959). The other is the song ''Putham Puthu Meni'' by

Balamurali Krishna Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna (6 July 1930 – 22 November 2016) was an Indian Carnatic vocalist, musician, multi-instrumentalist, playback singer, composer, and character actor. He was awarded the Madras Music Academy's Sangeetha Kalanidhi in ...

and

in ''Subathinam''. Some compositions of T. G. Lingappa: * ''Oh.. Jegamathil Inbam Thaan Varuvathu Ethanaale'' from Mohanasundaram by T. R. Mahalingam and S. Varalakshmi * ''Paattu Venumaa'' from Mohanasundaram by T. R. Mahalingam * ''Amuthai Pozhiyum Nilavey'' from

* ''Thendrale Varaayo Inba Sugam Tharayo'' from Vaazhviley Oru Naal by T. M. Soundararajan and

* ''Onnuley Irunthu 20 Varaikkum Kondattam'' from Mudhal Thethi by N. S. Krishnan * ''Thunbam Varumbothu Nagaithiduvaai'' from Mudhal Thethi by

* ''Vennilaavum Vaanum Pol'' from Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachaari by Radha Jayalakshmi * ''Kaviyin Kanavil Vaazhum Oviyame'' from Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachaari by V. N. Sundaram * ''Athimadhura Anuraga'' from Engal Kudumbam Perisu by A. M. Rajah and K. Jamuna Rani * ''Radha Madhava Vinodha Radha'' from Engal Kudumbam Perisu by T. M. Soundararajan and

* ''Chithitram Pesuthadi'' from Shabash Meena by

* ''En Arumai Kathalikku Vennilave'' from Ellorum Innattu Mannar by T. M. Soundararajan * ''Asaiyil Oonjalil Adiduvom'' from Kuzhandaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu by

and A. P. Komala * ''Kadhal Ullam Kavarntha Neeye'' from Sangilithevan by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Leela

Filmography

Music director

* Rajayogam * Yediyooru Siddalingeshwara Mahime

Playback singer

References

External links

Tamil article on T. G. Lingappa
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lingappa, T. G Indian male playback singers Tamil film score composers Kannada film score composers Kannada playback singers Tamil playback singers Tamil singers 1927 births 2000 deaths Musicians from Tiruchirappalli 20th-century Indian singers Male film score composers 20th-century Indian male singers