M. B. Sreenivasan


Manamadurai Balakrishnan Sreenivasan, or MBS, was a South Indian music director who worked mainly in the Malayalam and Tamil film industries.

Early and personal life

He was born to an orthodox Tamil Brahmin family on 19 September 1925 in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. He had his schooling at P.S. High School, Chennai. During his college days at Madras Presidency College, he was attracted to communist ideals and joined the Madras Students Organisation.
He was married to Zahida Kitchlew, a Kashmiri Muslim, who was the daughter of the freedom fighter Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew. They had a son named Kabir. None of them are still alive.
M. B. Sreenivasan died suddenly of a heart attack while conducting a choir in the Lakshadweep islands on 9 March 1988. His body was later taken to his homeland, and was cremated there. Zahida, his wife, outlived him for 14 years, dying on 23 October 2002. Kabir, who suffered from advanced schizophrenia, died on 4 April 2009.

Career

His acquaintance with Nemai Ghosh, a Bengali director, paved his entry into films. His first film song was written to the words of noted Tamil lyricist, Jayakanthan, for the Tamil film Paadhai Theriyudhu Paar. He played a major part in the formation of Indian Peoples Theatre Association.
He formed the Madras Youth Choir in 1971, which sings Indian choral music, based at Chennai. They released a twin cd Pallupaduvome by Charsur and proposed to release a children's CD Poo Vaenuma that was composed by MBS. He also acted in a Tamil movie, Agraharathil Kazhutai.
MBS produced many hits in Malayalam films. His style of music involved only minimal orchestration and were noted for their simple lucidity. He is the one who introduced the legendary singer K. J. Yesudas to film industry.

Discography

;Malayalam
  • Snehadeepam
  • Puthiya Akasam Puthiya Bhoomi
  • Laila Majnu - only background score
  • Kalpadukal
  • Kannum Karalum
  • Swargarajyam
  • Doctor - only background score
  • Kalayum Kaminiyum
  • Ammaye Kaanaan - only background score
  • Althaara
  • Aadyakiranangal - only background score
  • Shyamala Chechi - only background score
  • Puthri
  • Tharavattamma - only background score
  • Pareeksha - only background score
  • Ramanan - only background score
  • Ollathumathi - only background score
  • Aparadhini
  • Kadal
  • Nurse
  • Madhuvidhu
  • Vimochanasamaram
  • Swayamvaram - background score
  • Iniyoru Janmam Tharu
  • Prathikaram
  • Vidhyarthikale Ithile Ithile
  • Azhakulla Saleena - only background score
  • Nirmalyam - background score
  • Kanyakumari
  • Swarnavigraham
  • Prayanam
  • Siva Thandavum
  • Bandhanam
  • Onappudava
  • Ekakini - background score
  • Oolkatal
  • Idavazhiyile Poocha Minda Poocha
  • Kaivazhikal Piriyumbol - background score
  • Mela
  • Vilkkanundu Swapnangal
  • Prakriti Manohari - background score
  • Greeshmam - background score
  • Aarathi
  • Jalarekha
  • Manassinte Theerthayathra
  • Vida Parayum Munpe
  • Oppol
  • Venal
  • Valarthumrugangal
  • Kolangal - background score
  • Thrasam - background score
  • Elippathayam - background score
  • Yavanika
  • Pokkuveyil
  • Chillu
  • Idavela
  • Ilakkangal
  • Kaattile Paattu - only background score
  • Uvvu
  • Sahyante Makan - background score
  • Vaarikuzhi - background score
  • Aashrayam
  • Kathi
  • Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback
  • Manju
  • Mounam Vachalam
  • Nimishangal
  • Rachana
  • Oru Swakaryam
  • Oomana Thinkal
  • Parasparam
  • Rugma
  • Saagaram Santham
  • Prem Nazirine Kanmanilla - background score
  • Adaminte Vaariyellu
  • Oru Kochu Swapnam
  • Mukhamukham - background score
  • Thathamme Poocha Poocha
  • Akkare - background score
  • Panchavadi Palam
  • Ayanam
  • Irakal - background score
  • Meenamasathile Sooryan
  • Sukhamo Devi - only background score
  • Anantaram - background score
  • Amrutham Gamaya - background score
  • Jaalakam - only background score
  • Purushartham - background score
  • Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal
  • Kilippattu
  • Swathi Thirunal
  • Indulekha
  • Mattoral - background score
;Tamil
  • Paadhai Theriyudhu Paar
  • Dhakam
  • Edupaar Kai Pillai
  • Puthu Vellam
  • Madhana Maligai
  • Agraharathil Kazhutai - background score
  • Nijangal
  • ''Marupakkam''

    Awards

Kerala State Film Awards: