T G Lingappa

T G Lingappa or Thiruchirappalli Govindarajulu Lingappa was a South Indian musician. He predominantly worked in the South Indian Industry and contributed to Tamil and Telugu movies. He worked with noted directors of South Indian such as TR Mahalingam, B R Panthulu, P Neelakantan, etc.

He took birth in Tiruchirappalli, Chennai, India on 22nd August 1927. His music is a part of over hundred Kannada and Malayalam films, and his legacy is still carried on till today. Lingappa is a recipient of the Karnataka Best Music Director Film Award. He got the award for music in Sri Krishnadevaraya in the year 1970.

He belonged to a family with a musical background, his father G. Govindarajulu Naidu was an acclaimed musician in old South Indian Cinema. Lingappa also had an elder brother and took music training from his father. G. Govindarajulu Naidu was a known harmonium player in South India and had contacts with superstars including M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar (MKT) and K. B. Sundarambal. Lingappa’s family also sold musical instruments in Tiruchirappalli.

In his childhood, Lingappa learned to play several instruments such as the guitar and harmonium. At the age of 14, director Visvanathan asked him to act and sing in his movie, Kamathenu. Lingappa worked with the director for a while and then moved to Mayoora Film Orchestra. There he played the guitar, mandolin, and harmonium. In 1941, he started playing musical instruments for actor Ashok Kumar Ashok Kumar hails from Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. >> Read More... and tried to get into the Gemini Studios as well.

At a tender age, he took a job at the Modern Theaters. Lingappa gained experience with music directors such as K V Mahadevan and T R Pappa. In 1945, he joined the Pragathy Studios and worked under R Sudarshan. Then, he moved to AVM productions and played the guitar for them. Later, he went abroad and bought more musical tools.

His struggle under various production houses and directors paid off in 1950. He composed music in T. R. Mahalingam’s directorial in 1950, and from then on he was unstoppable. He collaborated with singers such as SC Krishnan, P Leela, S. Janaki, A. M. Rajah, etc. The list of actors and directors goes on with whom Lingappa worked.

He took his last breath on 5th February 2000. His songs are brought to life by many South Indian singers. Some of his compositions are Paatu Venumaa, Amuthai Pozhiyum Nilavey Chithitram Pesuthadi, Radha Madhava Vinodha Radha, and Athimadhura Anuraga.