MS Vishwanathan's Death: Tollywood Celebs Pay Tribute, Offer Condolences to his Family

The death of legendary music director MS Viswanathan, who died due to age-related ailments on 14 July at the age of 87, has saddened many Tollywood actors, directors, producers and musicians.

Born in Palakkad, Kerala on 24 June, 1928, MS Viswanathan, who was fondly known MSV, gave his first stage performance in Trivandrum when he was only 13.

The versatlie composer, who earned the sobriquet of 'Mellisai Mannar' (King of Light Music) from his fans, composed songs in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi for over 1,200 films in his illustrious career spanning over six decades. 

Maniyanga Subramanian Viswanathan is probably one of those few music composers who can claim to have worked with four film personalities who became chief ministers, J Jayalalithaa, M Karunanidhi, M G Ramachandran and N T Rama Rao.

He also paired up with another T.K. Ramamoorthy to score music for about 85 films during the early 1960s under the creditline 'Viswanathan-Ramamurthy' before parting ways. Ramamoorthy died in 2013.

MSV also worked with another legendary Tamil film music composer Ilayaraja in the Tamil movie "Mella Thirandhathu Kadhavu".

MS Viswanathan scored music for about 30 Telugu films that featured superstars of his time. Many of his compositions became evergreen songs, earning him several awards.

The legendary composer is survived by four sons and three daughters; his wife Janaki passed away in 2012. His last rites will be performed on Wednesday. 

Many Tollywood stars, who grew up listening to his songs, are saddened by the news of his death.

Telugu as well as Tamil celebs took to their Twitter handles to express their grief over the sad demise of MS Viswanathan. Besides offering tribute, they also expressed condolences to his bereaved family.

Here are some messages posted by celebs: 

Shruti Haasan ‏@shrutihaasan

Today we have lost one of the greatest musical minds - someone who greatly influence me it was an honour to have known him RIP MSV sir

AR Rahman ‏@arrahman

MSV took us to deepest core of Tamil & colorful melodies over past 40 yrs We've lost our beloved melodic genius May almighty bless his soul

DEVI SRI PRASAD ‏@ThisIsDSP

We hav lost one of the Greatest Musical Legends of all times!! But his Music Lives On !! RIP MSV sir !!

Rahul Ravindran ‏@23_rahulr

RIP MSV sir. From when I was in her womb my mother's been singing his songs to me. She will be inconsolable today.Music itself will be too.

Gopi Mohan ‏@Gopimohan

Great Legendary Music Dir M.S.Viswanathan passed away.He left us great http://melodies.Rip . Big fan of M.S.Viswanathan's Maro Charitra,AnthuleniKadha,IdhiKadha Kaadhu,AakaliRaajyam,Andhamaina Anubhavam,Kokilamma,GuppeduManasu songs

Geetha Madhuri ‏@geethasinger

RIP M S VISWANADHAM GARU.....

Thaman S ‏@MusicThaman

Rest in peace #MSV sir

Kousalya ‏@SingerKOUSALYA

Yet another legend passed away, Music Director Viswanathan garu is no more.... May his soul rest in peace!

Actor Vemal ‏@ActorVemal

RIP sir we all missing u

Harish Shankar S ‏@harish2you

RIP Legend !!!! Pride of India

Achu ‏@achutweeets

RIP Thatha :( . Will miss your forever . Don't know what else to say . #MSViswanathan ##MSV .

Vidyu ‏@VidyuRaman

Today we have lost a true legend of Music.. "Mellisai Mannar" MS Viswanathan sir #RIPMSV