M. G. Radhakrishnan was a disciple of Sree Vidyadhiraja Hridayanjali, an Indian ascetic, and composed music for the ascetic's lyrics, which was sung by his younger sister Dr. K Omanakutty, a Carnatic vocalist. In his official capacity, Radhakrishnan worked as a staff and become the senior music composer in Akashvani, Trivandrum. In 1962, he joined All India Radio as music composer. He used to conduct a 15-minute light music class through AIR, which made him music lovers' favourite. He made his debut in cinema as a playback singer through "Unniganapathiye..." from Kallichellamma, which had music composed by K. Raghavan. His famous songs as a vocalist include "Sharike Sharike" from Sharashayya, "Pallanayattin Theerathu" from Ningalenne Communist Aakki etc. Some of his notable concert performances were at N S S Headquarters at Changanassery and at Karrikkakom Chamundeswary Temple at Thiruvananthapuram. He then focussed at composing light music with most of them becoming big hits. Singers Sujatha, G. Venugopal etc. were first introduced through his non-filmy songs. His debut film as a music director was G. Aravindan's Thampu. The songs were fairly noticed, however the first notable work by M.G. was Thakara. Songs from this film, Mouname Mouname and Kudayolam Bhoomi won him several accolades and fame. The other major works by him include Adwaitham, Devasuram, Manichithrathazhu, Rakkuyilin Rajasadassil and Ananthabhadram, which was his last work. He has also composed the poems of Kamala Surayya, a famous Indian writer, through the albumSurayya Padunnu.Radhakrishnan introduced K. S. Chithra, a singer and a student of Omanakutty, to the film and music industry by employing her in the film Attahaasam.
Death
Radhakrishnan died from liver cirrhosis on 2 July 2010 at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. He was admitted there a week ago after his condition worsened, and was in ventilator since then. He was less than a month short of his 70th birthday when he died. He was cremated with full state honours at Thaikkad Santhikavadam electronic crematorium on the next day. He is survived by his son M. R. Rajakrishnan, daughter Karthika, granddaughters Nandana and Gowriparvathi, sister Dr. K. Omanakutty and brother M. G. Sreekumar. His wife Padmaja, who outlived him for nearly ten years, died on 15 June 2020 after suffering a heart attack.
