Sada ‘Master’, the guitarist who opened the doors of Malayalam cinema for Ilaiyaraaja

A lead guitarist in Ilaiyaraaja’s troupe, S. Sadanandam, popularly known as Sada ‘Master’, who passed on Thursday (October 29, 2026), was senior to music maestro Ilaiyaraaja in the film industry and was one of the leading guitarists in Malayalam cinema.

“It was he who introduced Ilaiyaraaja and me to Malayalam films,” recalled music director and lyricist Gangai Amaran, the younger brother of the maestro. Sada ‘Master’ was one of the finest guitarists in South India, alongside film music guitarist Philips.

Their friendship dated back to the period before Annakili was made, when Mr. Ilaiyaraaja and Mr. Amaran were both looking for an entry into the film industry. Sada ‘Master’, son of Sudarsanam ‘Master’, the music director at AVM Studios and one of the most sought-after composers of his time, had worked on Yaarukkaga Azhuthan, a film directed by the late writer Jayakanthan. The music director for the film was S.V. Ramanan, grandfather of musician Anirudh.

Sada also played for M.S. Viswanathan, G.K. Venkatesh, and Salil Chowdhury. One can hear the brilliant guitar phrases played by Sada and Philips in Velli Kinnam Than Thanga Kaigalil, a song from Uyarntha Manithan, composed by M.S. Viswanathan.

“We used to play for dramas in the late 1960s and would walk along the street where Sada’s house was situated. We had the opportunity to listen to music emanating from the house. We knew it was the house of Sudarsanam Master. Though curious, we were hesitant to enter. Subsequently, we visited his house and had the opportunity to hear him play. He also appreciated our playing,” said Mr. Amaran.

Sada ‘Master’ was part of the music troupe, whose other members included Abaswaram Ramjhi and Radha Vijayan, son of the late actor M.K. Radha.

“We became friends and grew very close to his family, where almost every member was a musician,” he said.

“Sada ‘Master’, a lead guitarist, was a busy artiste and played for all the Malayalam music directors in the 1970s. It was then that he recommended Annan (Ilaiyaraaja) and me when music directors needed substitutes. In the morning, he would play and recommend us for the next recording session. Thus, we worked on a lot of Malayalam films and earned a livelihood,” Mr. Amaran said. Sekar, father of A.R. Rahman, was the conductor during their recording sessions for Malayalam films.

When Mr. Ilaiyaraaja became the music director of Annakili in 1976, Sada and Purushothaman, the drummer and conductor, joined him permanently. “I was the rhythm guitarist, while Sada became the lead guitarist and played all the guitar pieces. We had one recording after another,” he said.

Later, Sada began training students in guitar and produced countless students who went on to spread across the world. “Whenever I visit foreign countries, someone introduces himself to me as a student of Sada ‘Master’. If he had run a school, it would have become a great institution,” said Mr. Amaran.

Sada’s prelude to Intha Maan Unthan Sontha Maan, with lyrics by Gangai Amaran, is considered one of the finest guitar pieces. Sada also played for Gangai Amaran when the latter composed music for films.

Gangai Amaran said he had visited Sada Master 10 days ago, when the latter was recovering from heart surgery. “A friend had come from Denmark and wanted to meet Sada,” he said.

“I could not bear to see Sada after the operation. You know, I could not do anything for three days after the death of music director Deva. I was so overcome by the loss of friends. Bharathiraja, Bhagyaraj, Deva, and now Sada. I do not want them to die. But death is inevitable. I am unable to bear the loss of friends,” he said.

Tamil Nadu / Tamil cinema / music / arts, culture and entertainment