Veteran music director M.G. Radhakrishnan died on Friday after prolonged illness. He was 73. He was ailing for almost a year now and for the past one week he was in critical condition undergoing treatment for liver ailments at a private hospital here. He is survived by his wife and two children.

An expert in light music, it was he who introduced K.S. Chithra to the film world by giving her a chance in Attahasam.

Personal life

M. G. Radhakrishnan was born on 8 August 1940 at Haripad, in Alappuzha district, Kerala as the son of music director Malabar Gopalan Nair and Harikatha exponent Kamalakshi Amma. His brother M. G. Sreekumar is an Indian playback singer in Malayalam and Tamil cinema.

Career

M. G. Radhakrishnan was a disciple of Sree Vidyadhiraja Hridayanjali, an Indian ascetic, and composed music for the ascetic’s lyrics, which was sung by his younger sister Dr. K Omanakutty, a Carnatic vocalist. In his official capacity, Radhakrishnan worked as a staff and become the senior music composer(grade 1) in Akashvani, Trivandrum. In 1962, he joined All India Radio.

He has also composed to the poems of Kamala Das (also known as Kamala Surayya), a famous Indian writer. Radhakrishnan introduced K. S. Chithra, a singer and a student of Omanakutty, to the film and music industry by employing her in the film Attahaasam.

Awards

Kerala State Film Awards

· 2005 - Best Music Director - Ananthabadram
· 2001 - Best Music Director - Achaneyaanenikkishtam

Asianet Film Awards

· 2005 - Best Music Director Award -Anandabhadram
· 2001 - Best Music Director Award -Kaate Vannu Vilichappol

Filmography

No Film Film director Year
1 Thampu G Aravindan 1978
2 Thakara Bharathan 1980
3 Aaravam Bharathan 1980
4 Njan Ekananu P Chandrasekhar 1982
5 Poochakkoru Mukkuthi Priyadarshan 1984
6 Parayanum Vayya Parayathirikkanum Vayya Priyadarshan 1985
7 Ayalvasi Oru Daridravasi Priyadarshan 1986
8 Geetham Saajan 1986
9 Sarvakalaashala Venu Nagavally 1987
10 Jaalakam Harikumar 1987
11 Nombarathi Poovu Padmarajan 1987
12 Vellanakalude Naadu Priyadarshan 1988
13 Adwaitham Priyadarshan 1991
14 Manichithrathazhu Fazil 1993
15 Chenkol Sibi Malayil 1993
16 Ammayane Satyam Balachandra Menon 1993
17 Kashmeeram Rajiv Anchal 1994
18 Agnidevan Venu Nagavally 1995
19 Rakthasakshikal Zindabad Venu Nagavally 1998
20 Stalin Sivadas T S Suresh Babu 1999
21 Kannezhuthi Pottumthottu T. K. Rajeev Kumar 1999
22 Pilots Rajiv Anchal 2000
23 Narasimham Shaji Kailas 2000
24 Praja Joshi 2001
25 Meghasandesham Rajasenan 2001
26 Nariman K Madhu 2001
27 Kaate Vannu Vilichappol Kamal 2001
28 Achaneyanenikkishtam Suresh Krishna 2002
29 Yanam Sanjay Nambiar 2004
30 Ananthabhadram Santhosh Sivan 2005

Reacting to the demise of Radhakrishnan, Priyadarshan said, “In my first film itself, he composed the music and, if I am not wrong, he has scored the maximum number of films for me. We all feel that despite being a great performer, he did not get due recognition.”