Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam

Early life

Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam born on 13 May 1920 at Velukkudi near Mannargudi in Tiruvarur district. His parents are Marimuthu and Govindammal. His father died when he was still a child. Therefore, he could not continue his school studies after 6th standard. However, his mother, who was a literate woman, taught him religious hymns in Tamil. He started writing short stories and poems from the age of 16. His writings were published in popular Tamil magazines and periodicals.

Observing his interest in poetry, the Headmaster of Chennai Chintadripet High School, Thiruvengadam taught him grammar.

Ku. Ma. Paa married Maragadavalli in 1941. But she died in 1942. Ku. Ma. Paa. worked as sub-Editor in several magazines and newspapers including Thamizhan (weekly) in 1942 at Madurai, Veerasakthi (monthly) in 1944 at Coimbatore, Virakesari Daily Newspaper (Colombo 1945) and Thamizh Murasu, a magazine published by Ma. Po. Si's Thamizharasu Kazhakam and Sengol another magazine. He then published a magazine called Thamizh Kural (Tamil Voice) together with P. M. Sevugarathinam. He then married Jayalakshmi after 4 years, in 1946. He has 3 sons and 2 daughters. Ku. Ma. Paa. Elangovan, Ku. Ma. Paa. Thirunavukkarasu and Ku. Ma. Paa Kapilan who is also a Tamil poet are the sons and Mangayarkarasi Kaliyamoorthi and Angayarkanni Krishnakumar are the daughters. Another two sons Ku. Ma. Pa. Pugazhendhi and Ku. Ma. Pa. Kaalamegam are deceased.

Writer

He wrote the screenplay, dialogues and lyrics for Konjum Salangai in 1962 and for Mahakavi Kalidas in 1966. He also wrote dialogues and lyrics forPonni (1953) and Madadhipathi Magal (1962). He worked as assistant director and wrote lyrics for Or Iravu (1951) and Gomathiyin Kaadhalan (1955). He wrote story and lyrics for Velaikaran (1952)

Tamil Film Lyricist

He penned his first lyrics for Or Iravu. The song Puvi Mael Maanamudan Uyir Vaazha Vazhiyedhum Illaiye was tuned by R. Sudarsanam. He always writes his lyrics with correct grammar. Most of his songs have left an indelible memory in Tamil Film Music (TFM) lovers' minds.

Public Service

He was a member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Council. He also functioned as the Secretary of the Tamil Nadu State Literary and Music and Drama Society.

Awards and Felicitations

• Kalaimamani award by Tamil Nadu State Government on 25.01.1975.
• Kavikuyil award by Erode Tamil Poets Society on 13.05.1975.

Music Directors

Music directors who tuned his lyrics include Addepalli Ramarao, Brother Lakshmanan, Gangai Amaran, Hemant Kumar, T. M. Ibrahim, Krishnan, T. G. Lingappa, Master Venu, K. G. Moorthi, C. N. Pandurangan, Rajagopal, S. Rajeswara Rao, C. Ramachandra, G. Ramanathan, Salil Chowdhury, S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, R. Sudarsanam, Vedha,

Singers

Singers who sang his lyrics are S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, J. P. Chandrababu, K. J. Yesudas, S. C. Krishnan, A. M. Rajah, Madhavapeddi Satyam, Sirkazhi Govindarajan, T. M. Soundararajan, P. B. Srinivas, Thiruchi Loganathan, V. J. Varma,

P. Bhanumathi, K. Jamuna Rani, S. Janaki, Jikki, A. P. Komala, P. Leela, (Radha) Jayalakshmi, K. Rani, A. G. Rathnamala, P. K. Saraswathi, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, P. Susheela, M. L. Vasanthakumari,

Notable compositions

Death

He died in Chennai on 4 November 1994 due to heart attack.