S. M. Subbaiah Naidu

S. M. Subbaiah Naidu (SMS) (Telugu: సుబ్బయ్య నాయుడు) (15 March 1914 – 26 May 1979) was a South Indian composer, conductor, and orchestrator. He was one of the oldest music directors. He worked as an in-house music composer for Pakshiraja Studios and well associated with S. M. Sriramulu Naidu. SMS also worked with many films under Jupiter Pictures and Central Studios.

Career life

He is fondly known as "Sangeethaiya" in the south Indian film industries. He somehow had never changed his trend of composing much from the beginning days. He is well versed in the Indian music but never showed interest in foreign tunes and music.

His contribution is invaluable. Not only he is a composer, but also very good conductor, orchestrator, and what not. He is considered as O. P. Nayyar of South India. His tunes were very catchy and his songs instant hits. He has made J. P. Chandrababu a great singer in the song Kunguma Poove Konjum Puraave. He would leave no stone unturned to bring the best of his singers. Till date, the best of S. Janaki is Singaara Velane Deva which was composed by him. He innovated the concept of voice with Nadaswaram.

He worked with singers like C. S. Jayaraman, T. M. Soundararajan, Ghantalasa, A. M. Rajah, Thiruchi Loganathan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, V. N. Sundaram, T. A. Mothi, P. B. Sreenivas, S. C. Krishnan, A. L. Raghavan, M. L. Vasanthakumari, P. A. Periya Nayaki, P. Leela, Jikki, P. Suseela, T. V. Rathinam, K. V. Janaki, A. P. Komala, K. Jamuna Rani, Radha Jayalakshmi, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, S. Janaki and L. R. Eswari.

The singing actors P. U. Chinnappa, C. Honnappa Bhagavathar, N. C. Vasanthakokilam, U. R. Jeevarathinam, T. R. Rajakumari, K. R. Ramaswamy, Chittor V. Nagaiah, N. S. Krishnan, T. A. Madhuram, P. Bhanumathi, S. Varalakshmi and J. P. Chandrababu also sang memorable songs under his compositions.

Trivia

• In 1947, SMS was the first music composer in Tamil film industry who had introduced playback singing for Rajakumari. Thiruchi Loganathan sang "Kasinimel Nangal", a playback song for M. N. Nambiar. It is notable that it is MGR's first movie as a hero.
• In 1948 under SMS's composition, Kannadasan wrote his first song "Kalangathiru Manamey Un Kanavellan Nanavagum Oru Dinamey" for Kanniyin Kathali sung by K. V. Janaki. The film was released in 1949.
• His all-purpose assistant, M. S. Viswanathan at Jupiter Pictures later became the musician of Tamil films. As his assistant, M. S. Viswanathan practised composing tunes when SMS was not around. When MGR was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. S. Viswanathan had organised a programme to honour his "master" SMS. SMS was a very close friend of MGR.

Works

Some compositions of S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, include

• Thirudaathe Paappaa from Thirudadhe by T. M. Soundararajan
• Yauvanamae Aahaa Yauvanamae by M. L. Vasanthakumari from Ezhai Padum Padu
• O Kiliye Aasai Kiliyefrom by P. A. Periya Nayaki Ezhai Padum Padu
• Ethanai Kaalanthaan from Malaikkallan by T. M. Soundararajan
• Thoongaathe Thambi from Nadodi Mannan by T. M. Soundararajan
• Singaara Velane Deva from Konjum Salangai by S. Janaki
• Nee Engey En Ninaivugalangey from Mannippu by T. M. Soundararajan
• Kuyilosayai Vellum form Mannippu by P. Suseela & A. P. Komala
• Maalai Mayangukindra Neram from Maragadham by Radha Jayalakshmi
• Kannukkulle Unnai Paaru from Maragadham by T. M. Soundararajan & Radha Jayalakshmi
• Annaiyai Pol Oru Dheivamillai from Annaiyin Aanai by T. M. Soundararajan
• Kanavin Maya Logathile from Annaiyin Aanai by T. M. Soundararajan & P. Suseela
• Ethanai Selvangal Vandhaalume from Thaayin Madiyil by T. M. Soundararajan
• Sabash Thambi Un kolgaiyai Potrukiren from Sabash Thambi by T. M. Soundararajan
• Kannil Vanthu Minnal Pol from Nadodi Mannan by T. M. Soundararajan & Jikki
• Ina Mina Dika from Athisaya Penn by P. Suseela
• Neeya Illai Naana from Aasai Mugam by T. M. Soundararajan & P. Suseela

Filmography