M. L. Vasanthakumari

Sound

M. L. Vasanthakumari

Born
Died
(aged 62)
Birthplace
Madras, Madras Presidency, British India
Credits
5 titles

Biography

Madras Lalitangi Vasanthakumari (popularly referred to as MLV) (3 July 1928 – 31 October 1990) was a Carnatic musician and playback singer for film songs in many Indian languages. MLV and her contemporaries D. K. Pattammal and M. S. Subbulakshmi were popularly referred to as the "female trinity of Carnatic Music. A prime disciple of the G. N. Balasubramaniam, she was the youngest among the established musicians of that era, and was the youngest female awardee of the Sangita Kalanidhi award.

As well as being a much sought-after playback singer for films, MLV popularised unfamiliar ragas and her Ragam Thanam Pallavis were considered cerebral. Additionally, she popularised the compositions of the Haridasas. Her most famous disciples include Srividya (her daughter), Sudha Raghunathan, Charumathi Ramachandran, A. Kanyakumari, V. Kaveri, Rose Muralikrishnan, Meena Subramanian and Yamuna Arumugam.

Signature work

Known For

Acting credits 1

YearTitleRole
1949 Krishna Bhakthi Film Court singer

Crew credits 4

YearTitleJob
1952 Panam Film Playback Singer
1952 Parasakthi Film Playback Singer
1950 Manthiri Kumari Film Playback Singer
1949 Vaazhkai Film Playback Singer
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