| M. S. Rajeswari | |
| Birth Name: | Madurai Satagopan Rajeswari |
| Birth Date: | 24 February 1932 |
| Origin: | Madras Presidency, British India |
| Genre: | Film music (playback singing), Indian classical music, Tamil patriotic |
| Occupation: | Singer |
| Years Active: | 1946–2018 |
M. S. Rajeswari (Tamil: எம். எஸ். ராஜேஸ்வரி; 24 February 1932 – 25 April 2018) was an Indian playback singer who has recorded over 500 songs in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada language films.[1]
She was born on 24 February 1932 to Madurai Satagopan and T. V. Rajasundari who herself was a singer and stage artist. Rajeswari was introduced to film singing by family friend B. R. Panthulu.[2]
She started her career in AVM Studios where she was one of the resident playback singers along with T. S. Bagavathi. Her very first song was Maiyal Migavum Meerudhe in the film Vijayalakshmi produced by Pragathi Pictures, the forerunner to AVM Studios. During the 1940s, she sang for almost all the films produced by AVM before continuing her work independently. In later years, she was a popular voice for child artists.[3]
She rendered songs which consist of solos and duets in all of the AVM Studios early productions such as Nam Iruvar, Rama Rajyam, Vedhala Ulagam, Vazhkai, Jeevitham, Or Iravu, Parasakthi, Gunasagari, Penn and Chella Pillai.
She sang more often in the 1940s and 1950s compared to her work during the 1960s to 1990s. During the later half, she was only sought in songs that voice needed for small children.[4] Films such as Kaveriyin Kanavan, Kaithi Kannayiram and Engal Selvi are the earlier ones where she recorded her voice for child artists. Since 1964 till the 1990s she was only sought for playback for child artists.
She was the first playback singer for Kamal Haasan for the song Ammaavum Neeye Appaavum Neeye in Kalathur Kannamma when she was offered by AVM Studios after a break.
Rajeswari had recorded many songs for Baby Shamili. Her voice suits the best when Shamili was a child artist in Dhurga, Lakshmi Dhurga, Bhairavi, Sendhoora Devi, Sindhoora Devi, Thai Poosam, Sivasangkari, Dheiva Kuzhandhai and Sivarathiri.
She started her career in AVM Studios under R. Sudarsanam’s music. Later, many of her songs are under K. V. Mahadevan's music direction. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Shankar–Ganesh engaged her often.
She sang immemorable duets mostly with T. M. Soundararajan. Others include Seerkazhi Govindarajan, A. M. Rajah, Thiruchi Loganathan, V. J. Varma, K. Devanarayanan, V. N. Sundaram, A. L. Raghavan, S. C. Krishnan, M. Satyanarayana, Madhavapeddi Satyam, Ghantasala, K. Appa Rao, K. J. Yesudas, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & Mano.
She also sang duets with female singers, most notably with T. S. Bagavathi. Others are L. R. Eswari, K. Jamuna Rani, P. Susheela, Radha Jayalakshmi, R. Balasaraswathi Devi, A. P. Komala, S. Janaki, K. S. Chithra, Swarnalatha, U. R. Chandra, L. R. Anjali, N. L. Ganasaraswathi, K. Rani, Santha P. Nair & Kalyani.[5]
The singing actors she sang with were K. R. Ramasamy & T. R. Ramachandran.
She died on 25 April 2018 at the age of 87 due to ailments related to old age.[6]
| Year | Film | Language | Song | Lyrics | Music Director | Co-Singer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | Tamil | Maiyal Migavum Meerudhe | |||||
| 1947 | Mahaan Gaandhiye Mahaane | K. P. Kamatchi Sundaram | |||||
| Karunamoorthi Gaandhi Mahaathmaa | K. P. Kamatchi Sundaram | ||||||
| 1947 | Tamil | Oonjal Oonjal | |||||
| Oh Raani Mahaaraani | T. S. Bagavathi | ||||||
| Yaavarum Sundharamaaga | |||||||
| 1948 | Tamil | Odi Vilaiyaadu Paappaa | T. S. Bagavathi | ||||
| Vaasam Ulla Poo Parippene | T. S. Bagavathi | ||||||
| Aadum Mayil Paadum Kuyil | |||||||
| Iravile Vandhaan Inba Sugam Thandhu | |||||||
| Anandham Aanen Naan Aahaa | |||||||
| 1949 | Tamil | Enni Enni Paarkka Manam Inbam | K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam | ||||
| Senthamizhum Suvaiyum Polave | K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam | T. R. Ramachandran | |||||
| Manamevum Aasai.... Un Kangal Unnai Emaatrinaal | K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam | ||||||
| Aasai Kollum Meesaiyulla | K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam | A. G. Rathnamala | |||||
| Uzhuthundu Vaazhvaar.... Paadupattaale Palan Koodum | K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam | T. S. Bagavathi | |||||
| Senthamizhum Suvaiyum Polave (Short) | K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam | T. R. Ramachandran & T. S. Bagavathi | |||||
| 1950 | Tikku Tikku Takkuladi | Toleti Venkata Reddy | |||||
| Mana Manasu Manasu Ekamai | Tholeti Venkata Reddy | M. Satyanarayana | |||||
| Priyamaina Rajaa.... Nee Kan Ninne Praminchinaa | Toleti Venkata Reddy | ||||||
| Chakkanaina Boya Rajuni | Tholeti Venkata Reddy | A. G. Rathnamala | |||||
| Bhoomi Dunnaloy Mana Desam | Toleti Venkata Reddy | T. S. Bagavathi | |||||
| Nandha Gopala Neetho Ne Aadudhaanoy | Toleti Venkata Reddy | ||||||
| 1951 | Tamil | Thunbam Nergaiyil Yaazhedutthu | V. J. Varma | ||||
| Vasandha Mullaiyum Malligaiyum | K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam | ||||||
| Kottu Murase Kottu Murase | K. R. Ramasamy & V. J. Varma | ||||||
| Vaazhiya Sendhamizh | K. Devanarayanan | ||||||
| Padutthurangum Podhu.... Akkam Pakkam Yaarum Illai | K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam | dialogues by A. Nageswara Rao | |||||
| Arumbu Pol Meesai.... Paartthu Paartthu Kanngal Rendum | K. P. Kamatchi Sundharam | V. J. Varma & T. S. Bagavathi | |||||
| 1952 | Tamil | Aahaahaa.... Indru Endhan Nenjil Saki | |||||
| Izhandhen Unai Anbe | |||||||
| 1952 | Tamil | O Rasikkum Seemaane | K. P. Kamatchi Sundaram | ||||
| Pudhu Pennin Manadhai Thottu Ponavare | K. P. Kamatchi Sundaram | ||||||
| Ellorum Vaazha Vendum | Annal Thango | T. S. Baghavathi | |||||
| 1952 | Tamil | Idhaya Veenaiyin Narambai Meettiya | K. P. Kamatchi Sundaram | ||||
| Aanandame Aahaa Aanandame | |||||||
| Maane Marikozhundhe | T. S. Bhagavathi, A. G. Rathnamala & Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi | ||||||
| 1953 | Kannada | Daari Thoro Prabo Shankara | |||||
| 1953 | Tamil | Kuzhavum Yaazhilsaiye Kannan | T. K. Sundara Vathiyar | R. Govardhanam | |||
| Maadugal Meitthidum Paiyan | T. K. Sundara Vathiyar | ||||||
| Manadhil Pudhuvidha Inbam Kaanudhe | T. K. Sundara Vathiyar | ||||||
| Eliyor Seiyum Izhivaana Thozhilai | T. K. Sundara Vathiyar | P. Susheela | |||||
| 1953 | Jathaka Phala | Lalane | R. Govardhanam | P. Susheela | |||
| 1953 | Tamil | Penne Ulagin Kanne | Kanagasurabhi | ||||
| 1953 | Tamil | Joraaka Paadi Anbaaga Aadi | T. M. Soundararajan | ||||
| Thozhi Un Kann Edhire Kodi | T. M. Soundararajan | ||||||
| 1953 | Telugu | Naa Premaraani Jeevanavaaṇi | M. S. Gnanamani & Poornanandha | A. M. Rajah | |||
| 1953 | Tamil | Kaanamenum Thanam Kandaen | Vijayakumar | ||||
| Kaadhal Endraale Mana Thunbam | Vijayakumar | ||||||
| 1953 | Tamil | Kaadhal Vaanil Nee Chandrodhayam | V. Seetharaman | ||||
| Odi Vaa Odi Vaa Velli Mulaichi | V. Seetharaman | ||||||
| 1953 | Tamil | Premaiyin Raani | M. S. Gnanamani | A. M. Rajah | |||
| 1954 | Tamil | Ettaadha Kilaiyil Kittaadha | |||||
| Sonna Sollai Marandhidalaamo | T. S. Bagavathi | ||||||
| Bhaaratha Nattukkinai Bhaaratha Naade | |||||||
| Vaal Munaiyin Sakthiyinaal Ulagai Aaluvom | T. S. Bagavathi & P. Susheela | ||||||
| Agila Bhaaradha Penngal | |||||||
| 1954 | Tamil | Maasillaatha Maamani Manonmani | K. R. Ramasamy | ||||
| 1954 | Tamil | Inba Nilai Kaana Innum En | |||||
| Kanvazhi Pugundhu Karutthinil Kalandha | T. M. Soundararajan | ||||||
| Piyare Nimbal Mele | V. N. Sundaram | ||||||
| 1955 | Tamil | Naadu Nadakkira Nadaiyile | T. M. Soundararajan | ||||
| 1955 | Tamil | Inbam Enggum Ingge | Thiruchi Loganathan | ||||
| Chandhiran Madhiyam.... Paadhaiyin Mele Vizhiyaai Vaitthu | Thiruchi Loganathan, S. C. Krishnan & U. R. Chandra | ||||||
| 1955 | Tamil | Chittukkuruvi Chittukkuruvi Seidhi Theriyumaa | |||||
| Chittukkuruvi Chittukkuruvi Seidhi Theriyumaa (Pathos) | |||||||
| Ponnaana Vaazhve Mannaagi Poma | |||||||
| 1956 | Tamil | Ulagil Ullor Vaazha Nee | K. Devanarayanan | T. M. Soundarajan | |||
| 1956 | Tamil | Aiyaave Vaarunga Inge Vaarunga | |||||
| 1956 | Tamil | Mangkilai Maele Poonguyil Kooviyadhu | Surabhi | V. N. Sundaram, N. L. Ganasaraswathi, K. Rani & Kalyani | |||
| 1957 | Tamil | Kaakkaa Kaakkaa Maikondaa | |||||
| Singaara Punnagai Kannaara Kandaale | R. Balasaraswathi Devi | ||||||
| Sevai Seivadhe Aanandham | T. M. Soundararajan | ||||||
| 1958 | Tamil | Mazhai Kooda Oru Naalum Thenaagalaam | |||||
| 1958 | Tamil | Engirundho Vandhaan En Idhayam Kavarndhaan | |||||
| Aasai Kalyaanam Nalla Anbu Kalyaanam | |||||||
| 1Kunguma Pottukkaaraa Kona Kiraappukkaaraa | T. M. Soundararajan | ||||||
| 1958 | Tamil | Pogaadhe Machan Pogaadhe | |||||
| Paakkraan Summa Paakraan | |||||||
| 1958 | Tamil | Mannukku Maram Baaramaa | K. Muthuswamy | ||||
| 1959 | Tamil | Maapillai Vandhaan Maapillai Vandhaan | L. R. Eswari | ||||
| Maapillai Vandhaan Maapillai Vandhaan | |||||||
| 1959 | Madhavi | Tamil | Thottakkaara Chinna Maamaa | Seerkazhi Govindarajan | |||
| 1959 | Tamil | Aniyaayam Adukkumaa | Ku. Sa. Krishnamoorthy | G. Govindarajulu Naidu & Tiruvenkadu Selvarathinam | |||
| 1960 | Tamil | Ambuli Maamaa Varuvaaye | Kuyilan | A. L. Raghavan | |||
| 1960 | Tamil | Edhu Nijam Edhu Poi | M. S. Subramaniam | S. C. Krishnan | |||
| 1960 | Tamil | Sundelikkum Sundelikkum Thirumanamaam | |||||
| 1960 | Tamil | Ammaavum Neeye Appaavum Neeye | T. K. Sundara Vathiyar | ||||
| Ammaavum Neeye Appaavum Neeye (Pathos) | T. K. Sundara Vathiyar | ||||||
| Unnai Kandu Mayangaadha Mirugamundo | S. C. Krishnan, T. M. Soundararajan & A. P. Komala | ||||||
| 1960 | Telugu | Kanipenchu Talli Kaapaadu Taṇḍri | |||||
| Kanipenchu Talli Kaapaadu Taṇḍri (Pathos) | |||||||
| Ee Byooṭīlo Nanu Minnche Mr̥gamundaa | Madhavapeddi Satyam, Ghantasala, K. Apparao & A. P. Komala | ||||||
| 1960 | Mahalakshmi | Tamil | Chinnanchiru Kannan Andha Singaara Vannan | L. R. Eswari | |||
| 1960 | Tamil | Paditthadhanal Arivu Petror | |||||
| 1960 | Tamil | Chinnan Chiru Veedu Onnu | K. Jamuna Rani & L. R. Eswari | ||||
| 1961 | Telugu | Kapupupanta Kodukulani | |||||
| 1961 | Tamil | Miyaaw Miyaaw Poonai Kutti | |||||
| 1962 | Tamil | Oor Irundhum Veedu Illai | |||||
| 1962 | Tamil | Pesiyadhu Naan Illai Kanngal Thaane | Chennai Ekalaivan | ||||
| 1963 | Tamil | Naan Maraven Murali Gopala | |||||
| 1963 | Tamil | Udhaya Sooriyan Malarnthadhaal | |||||
| 1964 | Amma Enge | Tamil | Ammaa Ammaa Enge Pone | ||||
| 1964 | Kilukilukkumi Kilukilukkumi | ||||||
| 1965 | Tamil | Kozhi Oru Koottile Seval Oru Koottile | |||||
| 1966 | Tamil | Oru Maratthil Kudi Irukkum | T. M. Soundararajan | ||||
| 1966 | Tamil | Kuvaa Kuvaa Paappaa | |||||
| 1967 | Malayalam | Mannaankattayum Kariyilayum | |||||
| 1967 | Ponnana Vazhvu | Tamil | Kadhai Kadhaiyaam Kadhai Kadhaiyaam Kaaranamaam | ||||
| Enge.... Kunguma Chimizhe Gopura Vilakke | |||||||
| 1968 | Dheiveega Uravu | Tamil | Sindhaama Sirippaa Singaara Paappaa | ||||
| 1968 | Telugu | Ammavamtidi Amta Mamchidi | |||||
| 1968 | Siritha Mugam | Tamil | Raajaatthi Koondhalukku Rojapoo Vaangi Vandhu | ||||
| 1969 | Tamil | Amma Sonnadhu Pole | Kovai Kumaradevan | ||||
| 1972 | Tamil | Poo Poova Parandhu Pogum | |||||
| 1972 | Tamil | Thambikku Oru Paattu | Avinasi Mani | L. R. Anjali | |||
| 1972 | Tamil | Thannai Vendravan Yaarum | |||||
| 1974 | Amma Appa | Tamil | Paappaa Vandhene Paadugindrene | ||||
| 1974 | Devi Sri Karumari Amman | Tamil | Amma Thaaye Karumaari | ||||
| Velli Manam Un Kovil | |||||||
| 1974 | Samarpanam | Tamil | Vetkkapada Vendum Ovvoru | Pattukottai Dhandayuthapani | |||
| 1977 | Malayalam | Kaattiloru Malarkkulam | Santha P. Nair | ||||
| 1979 | Kadamai Nenjam | Tamil | Thulli Thulli Sellum | N. S. Thiyagarajan | |||
| 1984 | Vengaiyin Maindhan | Tamil | Kannaa Vaa Kannaa Vaa | ||||
| 1987 | Tamil | Naan Siritthaal Deepavali | K. Jamuna Rani | ||||
| 1988 | Tamil | Car Car Super Car | |||||
| 1988 | Tamil | Endha Kadhai Solla | K. J. Yesudas & S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | ||||
| 1989 | Paasa Mazhai | Tamil | Oru Paattu Un Manasai | S. Janaki & Mano | |||
| 1990 | Aadi Velli | Tamil | Sonna Pecha Kekkanum | ||||
| 1990 | Tamil | Paappaa Paadum Paattu | |||||
| 1990 | Telugu | Paappaa Paade Paattaa | |||||
| 1991 | Aadi Viratham | Tamil | Ettadukku Maaligaiyil Vataamidum | K. S. Chithra | |||
| Aadi Velli Puthukku | K. S. Chithra & Swarnalatha | ||||||
| 1991 | Naagamma | Telugu | Chakkanaina Neralonaa | Vijaya Ratnam Gona | Swarnalatha | ||
| Naagula Panchami | Vijaya Ratnam Gona | K. S. Chithra & Swarnalatha | |||||
| 1991 | Bhairavi | Kannada | Haadona Baa | ||||
| Yaho Yahu | |||||||
| 1991 | Tamil | Yakkaa Yakkaa Yakkaa Yakkaa Elakkaa | |||||
| 1991 | Telugu | Gajavadhanaa Devaraa | |||||
| 1991 | Thai Poosam | Tamil | Anne Anne Anbu Anne Naagaraajane | ||||
| 1991 | Sravana Masam | Telugu | Anna Anna Manchi Anna | ||||
| 1992 | Dheiva Kuzhandhai | Tamil | Aana Maamaa Aana Maamaa | ||||
| Aanaavum Aavanaavum Solli Thandheenga | |||||||
| 1992 | Sivasangkari | Tamil | Mama Mama Naanthane Nagamma | Swarnalatha | |||
| Amaadi Abiraami Nalla Vazhi Nee Kaami | Swarnalatha | ||||||
| 1992 | Naga Bala | Telugu | Mama Mama Nenega Naagamma | Swarnalatha | |||
| Swarnalatha | |||||||
| 1993 | Sivarathiri | Tamil | Naadhar Mudi Mel Irukkum | ||||
| Thenaali Raamaa Nee | |||||||
| 1993 | Sivarathiri | Telugu | Nataraaju Haaraani Naagaraaju | ||||
| Thenaali Raamanna Raa | |||||||
| Unreleased | Nagarathil Thirudargal | Tamil | Raajaatthi Koondhalukku Rojapoo Vaangi Vandhu | L. R. Eswari |