Legendary music composer MS Viswanathan, who has over 750 films to his credit, died at at the age of 87.  He was undergoing treatment for old-age related ailments and breathing problem. He was fondly called as MSV by the members of Tamil filmdom.

MSV was popular for his collaboration with fellow composer T K Ramamurthy. The duo composed music for 86 Tamil films during their association of over a decade. Having started composing together in 1952, they split up in 1965. Some of their best films include “Paasamalara, “Sumaithaangi”, “Server Sundaram”, “Aayirathil Oruvan” and “Enga Veetu Pillai”. MSV’s partnership with TK Ramamurthy that perhaps defined the golden era of Tamil film music.

It would surprise many to know that MSV started his film career as an office boy for a monthly salary of Rs 3 at Jupiter films in the 1940s. His insatiable love for music landed MSV a job as Harmonium player in music director CR Subburaman’s troupe.

Popularly known as ‘king of light music’ (Mellisai Mannar), Vishwanathan has also worked in Malayalam films such as “Manthrakodi”, “Babu Mon”, “Ullasa Yathra” and “Amme Anupamea”. In Telugu, his compositions include “Tenali Ramakrishna”, “Anthuleni Katha”, “Idhi Katha Kaadu”, “Aakali Rajyam” and “Maro Charitra”. MSV and legendary filmmaker K. Balachander combination had produced several evergreen classics.

In 2012, he was conferred with the Thirai Isai Chakravarthy (Tamil for “The Emperor of Cine Music”) by Tamil Nadu Government.