M. S. Viswanathan, veteran composer and singer, died on July 14, 2015 at the age of 87. An influential figure in South Indian film music, Viswanathan composed over 4,000 songs spanning six decades. He began his career in the early 1950s and worked with several directors, including K. Balachander and Bharathiraja. His unique style and idiosyncratic fusion of Western and Indian classical music earned him immense popularity and critical acclaim. Viswanathan won several awards during his career, including the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, and the Kalaimamani Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu. In 2002, the Tamil Nadu Government also honored him with the M.S. Viswanathan Award for Musical Excellence. Viswanathan's compositions will continue to remain an audience favorite for generations to come. He is survived by his son, M.C. Sekhar, and his daughter, Kamala.