The singer created his own identity. Photo Credits: Courtesy: TL Maharajan

Tiruchi Loganathan’s father Subramaniam Achari was a goldsmith, but Loganathan had no interest in his father’s profession. Music was his passion. With the encouragement of his relative MM Mariappa, who was a singer, Loganathan donned greasepaint and became a ‘singing’ stage actor. He learned Carnatic music from Tiruchi Nataraja Pillai. Loganathan’s son TL Maharajan says, “He had mastered the art of playback singing long before anyone else came on stage.” Loganathan got his first break in films when he played Nambiar in Jupiter Pictures. Sung ‘Kasiniyil Nangal Vazhavade’. princessReleased in April 1947.

“Music director Subbaiah Naidu listening to the tune given by his assistant MS Vishwanathan for the song ‘Pudhu Vasanthamme’ (film) Abhimanyu, 1948). Subbaiah Naidu was so impressed that he decided to use MSV’s tune. credit for Abhimanyu Don’t mention MSV, but Subbaiah Naidu later revealed who composed it. And my father and UR Jeevaratnam sang the song, which was MSV’s first composition,” says Maharajan. but it had ‘vaarai’ Manthiri Kumari (1950) he got recognition.

The villain sings, ‘Varai ni vaarai, pogumidam vegu dooram illai’ (Come, the destination is not far) and he takes the heroine to a rock, promising her a land of bliss. TR Sundaram of Modern Theaters felt that the tune was too melodious for a scene that was supposed to end in murder. But music director G. Ramanathan was confident that it would be a hit. And he was right. When the audience came out of the theater after the first show, everyone was humming the song.

the film Manthiri Kumari It features the romantic duet ‘Ulvam Thendral Katrinaile’ sung by Jikki and Loganathan. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Manthiri Kumari It also features the romantic duet ‘Ulvum Thendral Katrinaile’ by Jikki and Loganathan. The music, with its ups and downs, suggests the rolling waves of the river, and you can imagine a young couple taking a pleasant boat ride. If ‘Vaarai’ reveals betrayal covered in sweet words, ‘Ulavum’ soothes you with its gentleness. ‘Kalyan Samayal Sadam’ (Maya Bazaar) is a fun number, in which Loganathan sings for SV Ranga Rao, who as Ghatotkacha brings in plate after plate of goodness. The song ‘Adikkira Kaidan’ captures a moment in the life of an alcoholic who understands life as it is – a strange mix of turmoil and peace, sadness and happiness. Loganathan hesitates between lines, yet each word is clear. This song is one of his masterpieces. ‘Aasaiye Alaipol’ with its philosophical message and ‘Chinna Kutti Nathanar’, which enthralled the listeners with its rustic tune, are among his other popular songs.

Loganathan sang three songs Kappalottiya TamizhanHe told director Pantulu that he had sung in many Congress meetings during pre-independence days. It was Kamaraj who gave Loganathan the title of ‘Christian Thendral’ when he sang at a conference organized by the Muslims of Kayalpattinam. Loganathan refused to take payment for singing songs Kappalottiya TamizhanAs penance, he went for the recording without having breakfast. ‘Thaneer Vittam Valarthom’ was cleared in one take. But when their conversation ended, Loganathan fainted.

Loganathan refused to pay for three songs sung by him Kappalottiya Tamizhan
Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Loganathan sang ‘Kannin Karumaniye’ for MGR (Marmayogi1951), ‘Inbam Yengum Inge’ for AP Nagarajan (Pennarasi, 1955), ‘Neelave Necessity’ for Kalyankumar (Manoratham, 1954), ‘Thekkathi Kallanada’ for Shivaji (Kalvanin Kadhali1955). He sang many songs for MR Radha, one of which was the popular lullaby ‘Chinna Arumbu Malarum’. In the Karnan song ‘Mazhai Kodukkam’, Loganathan sang the verse ‘Nani Chivandana’. He also sang a rock song ‘Kanni Paruvam’ (Sarasa B.A), ‘Koovamal Koovam Kokilam’ with MLV is one of his memorable songs.

“When my father was asked to sing for Hero Panai Pidithaval BhagyasaliHe suggested that Sirazi Govindarajan should sing instead. Sirkazi Sir used to come to our house often to hear my father singing ragas. Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan once told me that my father sang thodi for an hour without repeating any phrase,” recalls Maharajan.

He sang for MGR Marmayogi
Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Loganathan used to give lots of gifts to his friends. Actor Thangavelu owned a four-storey vacant plot, which was used only for doll performances and concerts during Navaratri. Loganathan was so impressed by Madurai Somu’s Kalyani Alapana at a Navaratri concert in Thangavelu that he gifted her his silver paan box.

After becoming a successful playback singer, Loganathan founded a drama troupe and staged AnarkaliIn which he played the role of Salim. The play had eight songs, which became so popular that Columbia cut a disc of all the songs.

Loganathan is still remembered by his fans in India and abroad. Maharajan shared with this writer a video of a Chinese fan of Loganathan singing his song.