Madras Lalithangi Vasanthakumari (popularly referred to as MLV) (3 July 1928 – 31 October 1990) was a Carnatic musician[1] and playback singer for film songs in many Indian languages.

As well as being a much sought-after playback singer for films, MLV popularized unfamiliar ragas, and her Ragam Thanam Pallavis were considered cerebral.

Indira Menon comments, "MLV did adopt her Guru's idea of a quick impressionistic sketch of the raga covering the two octaves at the start, but settled down to a reposeful elaboration, unfolding it gradually with her virtuosity in the form of BRIGA-CCASCADES appearing only where necessary.

Sudha Ragunathan mentions, "MLV Amma has told me that it was Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Saab who taught her the nuances of Sindhu Bhairavi in the Hindustani style.

Sudha Ragunathan mentions, "MLV Amma has told me that it was Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Saab who taught her the nuances of Sindhu Bhairavi in the Hindustani style.

[4] Her first big hit was in the 1951 film Manamagal, where she sang the song Ellam Inbamayam in Ragamalika and Subramania Bharathiyar's evergreen composition, Chinnanchiru Kiliyae.

In the 1960 film Raja Desingu, MLV also sang another Ragamalika, Parkadal Alaimele, which was well received and later became popular in Bharatha Natyam recitals.

In later years, MLV would also sing these songs towards the end of her Carnatic music concerts, and today, many musicians often include them in their repertoire.

In the 1952 film Thayullam, MLV sang Konjum Purave, which was based on the famous Hindi song Thandi Havayen.

[9] Other songs MLV sang include Adisayam Vanathu Arivumayam, Senthamarai Kannanae, Vanna Tamizh, and Adum Arul Jothi in the films Vikramadithian, Vairamalai, and Sornakili.

[9] MLV sang the Dashaavataara song for Bhookailas like Munneeta Pavalinchu Naagashayana, while Kumari Kamala danced in a classical way.

[citation needed] As one of the top-ranking stage artists, MLV was noted for her charm, grace, warmth, self-restraint, and humility.

Her self-restraint as an artist can be understood from her own words: Brigas in a fast tempo should adhere to the shruthi, and above all, true music must touch the listener's heart.

The Asaveri Raga Krithi MLV sang for her daughter Srividhya to mouth in the film, and it would have been equally in place in a concert in the December season.

Others are M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, V. N. Sundaram, T. R. Mahalingam, T. A. Mothi, C. R. Subburaman, C. S. Jayaraman, Ghantasala, G. K. Venkatesh, T. M. Soundararajan, P. B. Sreenivas, K. S. George, V. Dakshinamoorthy, and K. J. Yesudas.

Others are A. P. Komala, T. S. Bagavathi, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, Jikki, T. V. Rathnam, Radha Jayalakshmi, P. A. Periyanayaki, P. Bhanumathi, K. Jamuna Rani and A. G. Rathnamala.