'Viswanathan should have got Padma award'

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Tuesday condoled the death of music director M.S. Viswanathan and said the central government should have honoured him with a Padma award.

In a statement issued here, Jayalalithaa said it pained her that Viswanathan, who had got several awards was not honoured with a Padma award.

Jayalalithaa said since 1991, when she became the chief minister, she has been recommending Viswanathan's name for the Padma Bhushan, the country's third highest highest civilian honour.

"The central governments that do not do anything in favour of the states did not lend an ear to this as well," she said.

Jayalalithaa said by scoring the music for "Tamizh Thai Vazthu" (Invocation of Mother Tamil), Viswanathan has secured a place in the hearts of every Tamilian.

Tamil Nadu has adopted the song as its anthem.

She said the death of Viswanathan is a great loss to the Tamil movie world and also to her.

in his condolence message, DMK president M. Karunanidhi said only after the advent of the Viswanathan-Ramaurthy combine, did Tamil movie songs start reaching the masses.

PMK leader S. Ramadoss said Viswanathan was a humble person and that why he was able to work with music composers who were far junior to him.