With the boom of 78 rpm gramophone records in 1930’s Pillai became a busy recording artist. Most of his “plates” were released by the Hutchins Gramophone Company and HMV which suggest that he may have been a contracted artist for the firms.

Some of the Discs released by HMV, Hutchins:

OMH3533-Hutchins- Alapana – Shanmugapriya

OMH3534-SN501- Part 2

HMV-N8979-Same as above

OMH3530-Pallavi- Ragamalika

OMH3535-SN502-Part 2

HMV-N8980- Same as above

OME3364-Hutchins-Pallavi – Ragamalika

OME3365-SN602-Part 2

HMV-N8986-Same as above

OMH3531-HMV-Rama Ninne – Husseni

OMH3532-N8981-Kanaka Saila – Punnagavarali

OME1693-HMV-Magudi

OME1694-N8982-Part 2

OME3358 / OME3359

OJT624-HMV- Ninu Vina namadi-Navarasakannada

OME4950-N18969-Sarasa Samadana – Kapinarayani

OJT624-HMV-Ninu Vina namadi-Navarasakannada

OJT625-N98019-EntaVeduknodu–Saraswati manohari

OJT1269-HMV-Vatapi Ganapatim-Hamsadwani

OJT1270-N98036-Seetapathey-Khamas

Other Recordings of Pillai are:

Sarasijanabha-Nagagandhari

Neekela daya- Neelambari

Aadum Chidambaramo – Behag

Sree Subramanya-Kambhoji

Raga Simehdramadhayamam-in 12 parts

One kutchery set of 6 12” records

RPG’s two audio cassettes and CD with Vatapi Ganapathim, Seetapathey, Manasa Sancharare, Sree Shahmuga, Rama nannu brovara, Chalamelara

He also recorded a number of Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite pieces (Raamdhun: Ragupathi Ragava Rajaram, Vaishanva janato) for the 78 rpms. He also made recordings of the National Anthem and a number of Subramanya Bharthi’s patriotic songs (Aaduvome Pallupaduvome, Parrukkulle Nalla Nadu, Santamoorthy). The success of his gramophone released further enhanced his reputation in the field. In an era when correspondence was largely by post, it was said that a letter simply addressed to Tiruvengadu Subramania Pillai would safely reach its destination such was the volume of his mail.

Pillai’s Vaishnava janato was often played in those days at the beginning of the program “Gandhi Anjali” relayed by AIR and Radio Ceylon.