MD- IV – T.R. PAPPA [03-07-1922- 15-10-2004]
THIRUTHURAIPPOONDI RADHAKRISHNAN SIVASANKARAN
Surprisingly, T R Pappa has no reference to his ‘real’ name though his unofficial name is widely recognized. Born in Thiruthuraippodi – a coastal town in old Thanjavur district; in Thanjavur, he was a classmate of Shri. TR Ramanna-- another well known cinema Director. T. R. P was well trained in playing violin and it turned out to be the determinant in his life. Mr. Pappa was a staff artiste [violin] in All India Radio [1946]and had accompanied on the violin, the then classical musicians during their radio programmes. Pappa has had a stint as a back stage performer in Dance programmes that were popular those days. In that effort, Mr. Pappa [violinist] kept company with M.S. Viswanathan [back- stage singer then].
At an early stage, Pappa registered his stamp of class as a violinist in movies-‘MANONMANI’, ‘KANNAGI’, ‘MAHA MAAYA’; by then Sri. T. K. Ramamoorthy [ who later became MD himself], was a noted violinist of repute in ‘movie-making’ circles; both TKR and TR P were held in esteem as top violinists and were the best paid violinists in the industry then. Naturally, there was a steady demand for these two violin contemporaries –TK R and TR P in song- recording houses. Though he was a violinist by profession, his friend Mr. Joseph Thaliyath [of Citadel movie house] made him a Music Director for a Malayalam movie ’ATHMA SANTHI’ and its Tamil dubbing [1952]. Also, TR P more or less became the house MD for most movies made by “Citadel”. Incidentally, actor Jaisankar opened his movie innings with a double role in Citadel’s ‘IRAVUM PAGALUM’ with music scored by TR P.
TR Pappa had scored music for over 40 movies. It was TRP who at the instance of TR Ramanna completed the pending items in the movie ‘ARUNAGIRINAADHAR’ CONSEQUENT TO THE DEMISE OF Shri. G.Ramanthan. Such men of talent, as Mr. T. R .Pappa have held positions of significance to Tamil cine music.
Our respects to Shri. TR Pappa.
Prof. K. Raman
The title song in Iravum Pagalum Is fine. Only after his demise his songs are appreciated.
ReplyDeleteK.Venkataraman
G, not really. When they were active, several drawbacks co- existed. No media glare. No social media outlets to vent opinion. Elders staunch objection to anything cinema,- related. Even technology like camera were viewed with contempt by elders. Yet fellows like me were silently gathering info now useful at this late age. This too would invite criticism from my elders. That is life. Regards Prof K.Raman
ReplyDeleteSir, you have compiled a wealth of information on Music Directors which can not be found even in Wikipedia. It was a delightful read all through.
ReplyDeleteTill I finish degree course I use to see Tamil and English films two /month. During Nellai exhibition dramas and music performances were conducted.I remember that I have seen Manohar’s. Ilangeswaran and archestra by AM. Raja . I had to spend Rs 3/ per show which was a costly affair.Now I don’t see cine films even in TV
ReplyDeleteK.Venkataraman