M. B. Sreenivasan

Manamadurai Balakrishnan Sreenivasan (19 September 1925 – 9 March 1988), or MBS, was a South Indian music director who worked mainly in the Malayalam and Tamil film industries.

Early and personal life He was born to an orthodox Tamil Brahmin family on 19 September 1925 in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. He was deeply influenced by his paternal uncle, M. R. Venkataraman, who was a pioneer of the communist movement in Tamil Nadu. He had his schooling at P.S. High School, Chennai. He was actively involved with All India Students’ Federation and the Madras Students’ Organisation during his college days at Madras Presidency College. After independence, he worked in Parliament as private secretary to A.K. Gopalan during which he underwent intensive training in Hindustani and Western classical music. He married Zahida Kitchlew, a Kashmiri Muslim, who was the daughter of the freedom fighter Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew. They had a son, Kabir.

M. B. Sreenivasan died suddenly of a heart attack while conducting a choir in the Lakshadweep islands on 9 March 1988. His body was later taken to his homeland, and was cremated there. Zahida, his wife, outlived him by 14 years, dying on 23 October 2002. Kabir, who suffered from advanced schizophrenia, died on 4 April 2009.

Career His acquaintance with Nemai Ghosh, a Bengali director, paved his entry into films. Ghosh and Sreenivasan formed a production company called Kumari Films, with contributions from more than 50 shareholders. Their first film, Paadhai Theriyudhu Paar released in 1960. His first film composition was penned by noted Tamil lyricist, Jayakanthan, for the film. He played a major part in the formation of Indian Peoples Theatre Association (IPTA). MBS and Ghosh co-founded the Cine Musicians’ Union, the first trade union for film workers in south India which ensured spot payment for artists. MBS later established the Film Employees Federation of South India. He also served as the chairman of the Indian Performing Right Society, a non-profit copyright society that works to protect the interests of music composers and lyricists under Indian copyright laws.

He formed the Madras Youth Choir in 1971, which sings Indian choral music, based at Chennai. They released a twin CD Pallupaduvome by Charsur and proposed to release a children's CD Poo Vaenuma that was composed by MBS. He played the lead role in the Tamil movie Agraharathil Kazhutai, directed by John Abraham.

MBS produced many hits in Malayalam films. His style of music involved only minimal orchestration and was noted for its their simple lucidity. He is introduced the legendary singer K. J. Yesudas to the film industry.

Discography Malayalam Year Film Notes 1962 Snehadeepam 1962 Puthiya Akasam Puthiya Bhoomi 1962 Laila Majnu Background score only 1962 Kalpadukal 1962 Kannum Karalum 1962 Swargarajyam 1963 Doctor Background score only 1963 Kalayum Kaminiyum 1963 Ammaye Kaanaan Background score only 1964 Althaara 1964 Aadyakiranangal Background score only 1965 Shyamala Chechi Background score only 1966 Puthri 1966 Tharavattamma Background score only 1967 Pareeksha Background score only 1967 Ramanan Background score only 1967 Ollathumathi Background score only 1968 Aparadhini 1968 Kadal 1969 Nurse 1970 Madhuvidhu 1971 Vimochanasamaram 1972 Swayamvaram Background score only 1972 Iniyoru Janmam Tharu 1972 Prathikaram 1972 Vidhyarthikale Ithile Ithile 1973 Azhakulla Saleena Background score only 1973 Nirmalyam Background score only 1974 Kanyakumari 1974 Swarnavigraham 1975 Prayanam 1977 Siva Thandavum 1978 Bandhanam 1978 Onappudava 1978 Ekakini Background score only 1979 Oolkatal 1979 Idavazhiyile Poocha Minda Poocha 1979 Kaivazhikal Piriyumbol Background score only 1980 Mela 1980 Vilkkanundu Swapnangal 1980 Prakriti Manohari Background score only 1980 Greeshmam Background score only 1981 Aarathi 1981 Jalarekha 1981 Manassinte Theerthayathra 1981 Vida Parayum Munpe 1981 Oppol 1981 Venal 1981 Valarthumrugangal 1981 Kolangal Background score only 1981 Thrasam Background score only 1982 Elippathayam Background score only 1982 Yavanika 1982 Pokkuveyil 1982 Chillu 1982 Idavela 1982 Ilakkangal 1982 Kaattile Paattu Background score only 1982 Uvvu 1982 Sahyante Makan Background score only 1982 Vaarikuzhi Background score only 1983 Aashrayam 1983 Kathi 1983 Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback 1983 Manju 1983 Mounam Vachalam 1983 Nimishangal (Yaamam) 1983 Rachana 1983 Oru Swakaryam 1983 Oomana Thinkal 1983 Parasparam 1983 Rugma 1983 Saagaram Santham 1983 Prem Nazirine Kanmanilla Background score only 1984 Adaminte Vaariyellu 1984 Oru Kochu Swapnam 1984 Mukhamukham Background score only 1984 Thathamme Poocha Poocha 1984 Akkare Background score only 1984 Panchavadi Palam 1985 Ayanam 1985 Irakal Background score only 1986 Meenamasathile Sooryan 1986 Sukhamo Devi Background score only 1987 Anantaram Background score only 1987 Amrutham Gamaya Background score only 1987 Jaalakam Background score only 1987 Purushartham Background score only 1987 Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal 1987 Kilippattu 1987 Swathi Thirunal 1988 Indulekha 1988 Mattoral Background score only

Tamil Year Film Notes Ref. 1960 Paadhai Theriyudhu Paar 1972 Dhakam 1975 Edupaar Kai Pillai 1975 Puthu Vellam 1976 Madhana Maligai 1977 Agraharathil Kazhutai Background score only 1983 Nijangal 1989 Marupakkam

Awards Year Award Film(s) 1987 National Film Award – Special Jury Award (feature film) - 1973 Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director Nirmalyam 1978 Bandhanam 1979 Idavazhiyile Poocha Mindappoocha, Ulkkadal 1981 Different Films 1987 Kerala State Film Award – Special Jury Award Swathi Thirunal

M. B. Sreenivasan

Bron en licentie