T.M. Soundararajan – Redefining the style of Devotional Songs

In 1953, seven years after TM Soundararajan entered the film recording industry, he recorded his first two devotional songs for the HMV label under the music of KV Mahadevan. His salary for these two songs was Rs 80.

Being a devotee of Sai Baba and Lord Murugan, he decided to record his own devotional songs but wanted them to stand out from other devotional songs. He decided to simplify the lyrics and write about the devotion of ordinary human beings and set this to modern and westernised instrumentation. Initially criticised for this approach by the purists, the gamble paid off and people quickly took to the relatable lyrics and hummable tunes to beaty music. This forever changed the sound of devotional songs.

TM Soundararajan composed the music for more than 90% of his devotional songs, using modern western instruments and ensuring that the language used was simple. Most of his lyrics were written by popular lyricist Tamil Nambi, a staunch devotee of Lord Murugan.

Enjoy the Sigaram selection of some of the best devotional songs by TM Soundararajan. This playlist has only the non-film devotional songs and excludes the many devotional songs from films like Thiruchenduril Kadalorathil, Swami Saranam Saranam en Ayappa, Vetri Vel Vellumada. Eennada Thamizh Kumara, Thillai Ambala Nadaraja and Ulagangall Yaavum.