V.N. Sundaram (1918 - 2009 ) was an indian singer who sang mostly in Tamil-language films
Early life Born in 1918 in Visalur - a village in Kumbakonam Taluk of Thanjavur district, he was named AlasyaSundaram.
As a boy he listened to Nadaswaram music during temple festivals and had the ability to repeat the Ragas by voice.
He joined Nataraja Gana Saba, a boys' stage troupe, as an actor at the age of 12. He was a strict vegetarian. But in the troupe Veg and Non-veg food were cooked. He could not tolerate this and left the troupe within 6 months.
He then joined the Madurai Bala Vinodha Sangeetha Sabha, another boys' stage drama troupe. He was trained by Yadhartham Ponnusamy Pillai and was given Raja part in his 3rd stage play. That play, Paduka Pattabhishekam was a hit. In order to limit space in the poster, his name was written as V. N. Sundaram. Then onwards he was known by that name.
Actor in films His first film was Markandeya released in 1935. He was featured in the title role. Papanasam Sivan composed the song paraat paraa in the raga Vachaspathi and Sundaram sang that song. It was a hit. Later M. S. Subbulakshmi sang the song and made it popular.
Pattinathar (1936) film featured M. M. Dandapani Desikar in the title role. Sundaram acted as Pattinathar's son, Marudhavanan. Sundaram acted in the title roles in Chandrahasan (1936) Sundaramoorthi Nayanar (1937), Kannappa Nayanar (1938) and Sankarachariyar (1939) His other films are Appoothi Adigal (1941), Rajasooyam (1942) and finally Dhana Amaravati (1947). After the latter half of the 1940s, films with social themes became the trend. Sundaram, who acted mainly in Puranic films did not get any acting chances. So he shifted on to the music field as a playback singer.
Playback singer His first song as playback singer was Sinnanjiru kiliye Kannamma written by Bharathiyar. Music was scored by C. R. Subbaraman. It was a duet and M. L. Vasanthakumari was his co-singer. From then on he has sung many remarkable songs till 1962.
Filmography As actor and singer
Year Film Song Music director Co-singer 1935 Markandeya Anbudan Vidai Tharuveer Paraatparaa Paramesvaraa Rajapalayam Kuzhandaivel Bhagavathar Kailaasa Vaasaa, Sambho Adhaaram Yaarum Illai Aiyaa Viswanaadhaa Enai Aandarulvaai O Siva Paramporule Saranam Saranam 1936 Chandrahasan Maayane Enai Yaar Theevinaiyum Idhuvo Deivame Maha Parama Dayala Moorthiye Paadhamalarai Paninden Poomaadho Radhi Deviyo 1937 Sundaramoorthi Nayanar Thillai Vaazh Andhanar Tham Mugathai Kaattiye Idhu Vasantha Kaalam Penne 1938 Kannappa Nayanar Saambavari Thunai Puri Vasantha Jothi Azhage Unnai Marandiduveno Deva Nin Thiruvadi 1947 Dhana Amaravathi Endisaiyum Vanangi Ethum
As Playback singer
Year Film Language Song Music director Co-singer 1947 Thaai Nadu Tamil Engal Indhiya Bharathiye R. Narayana Iyer A. P. Komala 1950 Chandrika Malayalam Hello My Dear Ting Ting V. Dakshinamoorthy & G. Govindarajulu Naidu 1951 Manamagal Tamil Chinnanchiru Kiliye Kannammaa C. R. Subburaman M. L. Vasanthakumari Paaviyinum Padu Paavi M. L. Vasanthakumari 1951 Rajambal Tamil Idhaya Thaamarai Malara Seivadhum M. S. Gnanamani P. Leela 1953 Inspector Tamil Varuvaai Manamohanaa G. Ramanathan M. L. Vasanthakumari 1953 Poongothai Tamil Neelavaan Nedungkundram .. Yen Padaitthaai P. Adinarayana Rao 1954 Avakasi Malayalam Thulli Thulli Odi Vaa Br Lakshmanan N. L. Ganasaraswathi Kaliyodamithil Kamukara Purushothaman & N. Lalitha 1954 Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachari Tamil Kaviyin Kanavil Vaazhum Kaviyame T. G. Lingappa Azhage Penn Vadivamaana Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi 1954 Koondukkili Tamil Raatthirikku Boovaavukku Laatteri K. V. Mahadevan T. M. Soundararajan & K. V. Mahadevan Vaanga Ellorume Ondraagave T. M. Soundararajan, Radha Jayalakshmi & K. Rani Kaayaadha Kaanagatthe T. M. Soundararajan 1954 Pona Machaan Thirumbi Vandhan Tamil Odam Polae Namadhu C. N. Pandurangan & M. S. Viswanathan A. L. Raghavan, T. Sathyavathi & Subbulakshmi 1954 Rajee En Kanmani Tamil Ulagam Idhuthaano S. Hanumantha Rao 1954 Thookku Thookki Tamil Kuranginilirundhu Pirandhavan G. Ramanathan P. Leela, A. P. Komala & T. M. Soundararajan Pyari Nimbal Mele M. S. Rajeswari 1955 CID Malayalam Kaalamellaamullaasam Br Lakshmanan P. Leela & N. L. Ganasaraswathi 1955 CID Tamil Inai Illaadha Suga Vaazhvil Br Lakshmanan A. M. Rajah, P. Leela & Sarojini 1955 Mahakavi Kalidhas Tamil Raajendhraa Em Rasiganiye C. Honnappa Bhagavathar Kulla Nariyo Kokkarikkudhe Singaara Vaagini Manamogini Vaaraai Vaaraai Vaaraai R. Balasaraswathi Devi Omkaara Roobini R. Balasaraswathi Devi 1955 Nallavan Tamil Bharathiye Nam Bharadha M. S. Gnanamani 1955 Nam Kuzhandai Tamil Deivathaal Agaadhenin M. D. Parthasarathy 1955 Porter Kandan Tamil Aadhiyaai Ulagukkellaam Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy 1955 Valliyin Selvan Tamil Kannaa Endradhum P. S. Anantharaman 1956 Charana Daasi Telugu Tharumaarulaadeveme Vayyaari S. Rajeswara Rao 1956 Marma Veeran Tamil Munnaale Pogaame Vedha T. M. Soundararajan 1956 Mathar Kula Manickam Tamil Enakke Thaaramaadi S. Rajeswara Rao 1956 Naane Raja Tamil Sindhu Paadum Thendral Vandhu T. R. Ramanathan P. Leela 1956 Ondre Kulam Tamil Mangkilai Mele Poonguyil Kooviyadhu S. V. Venkatraman N. L. Ganasaraswathi, K. Rani, M. S. Rajeswari & Kalyani 1956 Tenali Raman Tamil Adari Padarndha Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy Ponnalla Porul Kannaa Pinnaa Mannaa Vindhiyam Vadakkaaga Chandhiran Pole Drru Drru Ena Maadugal Thaadhi Thoodhu Theedhu 1957 Ambikapathy Tamil Soru Manakkum Cho Naadaam G. Ramanathan Kottikkizhango Kizhango Ennarum Nalathinaal Annalum Nokinaan Avalum Nokkkinaal 1957 Bhaktha Markandeya Tamil Ulagamellaam Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy Daevaadhi Dhaevaa 1957 Mudhalali Tamil Enga Mudhalali Thanga K. V. Mahadevan S. V. Ponnusamy, A. G. Rathnamala & G. Kasthoori 1957 Thangamalai Ragasiyam Tamil Ariyaadha Pillai Pole Aaatthira Padalaamaa T. G. Lingappa Jikki1958 Chenchu Lakshmi Tamil Alitthidum Avamadhippaiyai Naan Nasukkuven S. Rajeswara Rao Inngiruppano Anggiruppano Endra Aiyame P. Susheela 1958 Maalaiyitta Mangai Tamil Ammaa Unnai Kondu Vanatthile Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy 1958 Padhi Bhakti Tamil Rock Rock Rock n Roll Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy J. P. Chandrababu 1958 Padhi Bhakti Telugu Rock Rock Rock n Roll T. Chalapathi Rao J. P. Chandrababu 1958 Vanji Kottai Valipan Tamil Thaedi Thaedi Alaigirene C. Ramachandra Thiruchi Loganathan & P. Susheela 1959 Aval Yaar Tamil Vaaraaru Vaaraaru Vanthukitte S. Rajeswara Rao 1959 Sivagangai Seemai Tamil Maruvirukkum Koondhal Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy Aalikkum Kaigal 1959 Veerapandiya Kattabomman Tamil Vetrivadivelane.... Manam Kanindharul G. Ramanathan S. Varalakshmi 1960 Engal Selvi Tamil Jaya Jaya Jaya Raamaa K. V. Mahadevan 1960 Kumara Raja Tamil Manamagalaaga Varum Mangai Evalo T. R. Pappa Naan Vandhu Serndha Idam P. Leela 1960 Naan Kanda Sorgam Tamil Parama Kirupa Nandana G. Aswathama 1961 Ennai Paar Tamil Moothor Sol Vaarthai Thaan T. G. Lingappa 1961 Sabarimala Ayyappan Malayalam Aararivoo Nin Maaya S. M. Subbaiah Naidu 1962 Mahaveera Bheeman Tamil Aayathor Nagaraitho M. S. Gnanamani 1963 Lava Kusa Tamil Vetri Murasu Olikka Seiyyum K. V. Mahadevan & Ghantasala K. Rani 1964 Ramadasu Telugu Ee Desama Nununduvaru G. Aswathama Seerkazhi Govindarajan & Madhavapeddi Satyam 1964 Rishyasingar Tamil Thalam Pugazhum Uyar T. V. Raju
Death Sundaram died on 14 December 2009 at the age of 92.
References