A. M. Raja

A. M. Raja was one of the successful composer and a singer in the South Indian film industry in the 1950s era. His successful albums include Missiamma, Then nilavu, Kalyana Parisu etc. Starting his singing career in the movie Samsaram, he sang songs for many music directors. He sang many songs for the actor Gemini Ganesan. He became music director in the movie Kalyana parisu, directed by his friend Sreedhar. That was Sreedhar's first movie too. After that he did Then nilavu with Sreedhar. But his downfall started after that.

Personal life

He was born in 1929 in Chitoor District of Andra Pradesh. He died in a tragic train accident in Tirunelveli in Apr 7, 1989. He met his wife Jikki (Krishnaveni) who is a playback singer as well in the set of the film "Jenova" starring MGR. They had 4 daughters and 2 sons.

Discography

Among his Tamil hits were 'Mapillai Doi' in 'Manampol Maangalyam' (1953), 'Sringara Paingiliye Pesu' in 'Manohara' (1954), 'Vaaraayo Vennilave' in 'Missiammaa' (1955), 'Mayakkum Maalaipozhuthey' in 'Gulebakaavali' (1955), 'Maasaillaa Unmai kaadhaley' in 'Alibaabaavum 40 Thirudargalum' (1956), 'Kaayile Inippadhenna' in 'Manamulla Marutharam '(1958), 'Aaadaatha Manamum' in 'Kalathoor Kannammaa' (1960), 'Oho Enthan Baby', 'Paattu Paadavaa' and 'Nilavum Malarum' in 'Thein Nilavu' (1961), 'Aaasaiyile Manam' in 'Kalyaana Parisu' (1971).

He performed under various music directors starting from KV Mahadevan. He also sang in Hindi movies. A number of his tunes were taken right out of Hindi movie tunes. Some of his Tamil movies were Kalyaana Parisu, Aaadi Perukku, Vidivelli, Then Nilavu in Tamil. Other movies are: Shoba - Telugu, 'Amma Enna Sree' - malayalam.

References

* [http://www.tfmpage.com/my/mani/amr.html]
* [http://chennaionline.com/music/news/2007/04news03.asp]