He collected
and edited for the Madras State Sangita Natak Sangham:
Prahalada
Bakti Vijaya of Tyagaraja
Nauka Charitram
Kirtanas of Tyagaraja
300 kritis
of Tyagaraja, 72 mela raga malika of Maha Vaidyanatha Ayyar and
Arohana and
avarohana for 2000 ragas.
He edited
rare compositions of Patnam Subramania Ayyar, etc, and Nava Graha krities
with notation. He has performed in various sabhas, centres, etc and
won praise and prizes. An AIR artiste. For dramas of Dr.V.Raghavan,
background music with appropriate ragas were composed by him. He
has composed tunes for Tirupugazh, Divya Prabandams, Venkatesa Suprabatham
, etc.
Posts held:
Teacher, Teacher's
College of the Music Academy for 15 years
Inspector
of Music Schools, Tamil Nadu in 1967 under the State Sangita Nataka Sangham,
Madras
Lecturer and
later Professor, Tamil nadu Govt. Music College, Madras from Jan 1978
Principal,
Govt. Music College, Madurai from Dec.1988
A classicist,
B.Krishnamurti represents the rich erudition and tyle of Mudicondan Venkatrama
Ayyar. He has a sweet, responding voice, good artistry and a remarkable
sweep of kritis. His rich experience in varie dfields has equipped
him to be a competant vocalist and a respected teacher.
NEDUNURI
KRISHNAMURTHI - VOCALIST...............(b.October 10, 1927)
"For classicism,
turn to Nedunuri" is the prevailing slogan and it is well-said. His
concerts present serene music, satisfying experience with a rich fare of
graces, gamakas and the like. There is genuine, devoted outpouring
of chaste Carnatic music well balanced in raga alapana, kritis, etc.
He has a good voice and dignified rendition.
Krishnamurti was born at Kothapalli near Pithapura. He learnt music from Sri Appa Rao, Kalluri Venugopala Rao, Dwaram Narasinga Rao and Dr. Sripada Pinakapani and was a student of the Maharajah's College of Music, Vizianagaram.
He opted for violin for some time but reverted to vocal since his voice was an asset to be nurtured and not to be ignored. His first concert was in his own village, followed by one at Kakinada on the next day. He had won the first prize in a competition conducted by Saraswathi Gana Sabha, Kakinada and gave an excellent concert when the Flute celebrity, T.R. Mahalingam did not arrive. (When a celebrity does not arrive and a debuntante enters the stage, he is an instant success. Proof: Ariyakudi Ramanuja Ayyangar, G.N.Balasubramaniam).
Nedunuri Krishnamurthi has a prodigious memory; used to listen to AIR concerts and reproduce what he had heard and this aptitude, practice, self-acquisition and enhancement of expertise was a peculiarity of his - described as 'swayam-krishi'. He has mentioned that he would imitate great mastewrs like G.N.Balasubramaniam, Madurai Mani, Semmangudi Srinivasa Ayyar, etc., and that his concerts would be 'part imitation of great masters and part my own innovation.' He felt later attracted to the style of Dr. Sripada Pinakapani who took 'great pains to explain and teach the finer aspects and intricate details specific to each raga.'
Has served as Principal in three Government Music Colleges till he retired in 1985. Was on deputation to Sri Venkateswara College of Music, Tirupathi for four years. Had set to tune fifty kirthanas of Annamacharya. He directed and recorded the opera 'Prahalada Bhakti Vijayam' of Tyagaraja.
MADURAI
N. KRISHNAN - VOCALIST...............(b.1928)
One of the
few vidwans who have had the longest span of training under a top vocal
luminary, Krishnan had his training under Sangita Kalanidhi Ariyakudi Ramanuja
Ayyangar for seventeen years. Prior training he had with his father,
Narayana Ayyar and brother Srinivasan. Father was giving musical
discourses and Krishnan used to follow him as 'second' giving voice support.
N. Krishnan has a pleasing personality and competent concert style.
Has been giving a large number of performances.
He is a composer too and has enriched bharatanatyam with his varnas, padas, jatiswarams and javalis. N. Krishnan has been honoured by the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Mandram in 1982 and has received the Sangita Nataka Academy Award 1988.
RAMAND KRISHNAN
- VOCALIST...............(September 1918 - January 29, 1973)
Music had
no tradition in the family except to the extent that Brhannayaki and her
sister used to sing well. And yet, there was sudden outburst, a deluge
of melody and a downpour of exquisite rhythm among six brothers. Five had
regular training in music - vocal or instrumental and the family brought
name and fame to Ramnad to which they did not belong but came by chance
even as Papnasam Sivan reached Papanasam from Polagam and got the prefix.
Kooniyur Vaidyanatha
Ayyar and Brhannayaki were parents of a rich crop of talented artistes
including Lakshminarayanan - violinist, Ramnad Eswaran (1913-1985) - mridangist,
Ramnad Venkatachalam - violinist, Ramnad Krishnan - vocalist, C.V.S.Mani
- Gemini Studios, Ramnad Raghavan (performing artiste) - mridangist (USA)
The family
shifted to many places like Madurai, Chennai, Ramnad, Mumbai and Jaffna
either in batches or in entirety. All were born at Alapuzha except Raghavan
who was born at Madurai. Ramnad Krishnan underwent training in music with
Talagnayar Subramania Ayyar - flautist ; Talagnayar Somu Bhagavatar - vocalist
and the Drona of Melodies ; Ramnad Sankarasivam. Krishnan was a born addict
to music and was attracted wherever there was an air of classicism. he
was immensely inspired by Mazhavarayanendal Subbarama Bhagavatar, a Sangita
Kalanidhi and Brinda-Mukta, torch bearers of the style of the veena colossus
Dhanammal. He made regular pilgrimages to such temples of music drawn and
captivated by classical melody. 'Atma trupti' - self satisfaction - was
his guiding spirit and his life was total surrender to the magical artistry
of chaste melody and Nadopasana. At home, music pervaded and ruled and
thus Krishnan grew up into a stalwart vocalist known for exquisite rendition
and fragrant delineation of raga, neraval, pallavi, etc. The musical soul
drew much guidance from elder brother Lakshminaryanan and Mottai Ayyangar,
a bhajan enthusiast, besides Krishnaswami Ayyangar, a disciple of Kanchi
Nayana Pillai and P.N.Raghava Rao, a close friend. Ramad krishnan naturally
flowered into one of the most popular, classical giants aided by innate
ability, intensive training and varied contacts.
He was an inspiring
teacher and his disciples include - Nagamani Srinath, Dr.Rita Rajan and
Vegavauhini. Krishnan was an exotic at Wesleyan (USA) and served for three
months alone as he was not willing to be away from his musical country
beyond that. He gave a concert at Philadelphia at the wedding of John Higgins,
then undergoing training. Krishnan was Professor at the Central College
of Carnatic Music, Chennai for about six years.
Krishnan was
allergic to titles. Of course, the era of the 'Great Deluge of Titles'
was not yet born. He was in the frugal company of musicians who shied away
from honours.
Prof. T.N.KRISHNAN
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Born on 16.10.1928
at Parur, Prof. T.N.Krishnan a child prodigy, had his initial training
from his father Narayana Ayyar and later with K.K.Parthasarathi Ayyangar
and Dr. Semmangudi Srinivasa Ayyar. He had the opportunity to provide accompaniment
while quite young to eminent stalwarts of the day like Ariyakudi Ramanuja
Ayyangar and Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar and was on the All India Radio
at the age of ten.
The distinguished Professor drew inspiration, from papa Venkataramaiah, a renowned violinist of yester years, in shaping his aesthetically rich gamaka-laden style. He enjoys high reputation both in India and abroad for thrilling classical rendition |
CALCUTTA
K.S.KRISHNAMOORTHY - VOCALIST/TEACHER...............(b.December 21, 1923)
Krsihnamoorthy
born at Sikkazhi of Sankara Ramayyar was a musical soul full of robust
passion and dedication with innate capability to flower forth into a musician
of vast parts; and quite appropriately destiny brought the young lad to
a society which had such colossuses as Tiger Varadachariar, Harikesanallur
Muthiah Bhagavathar and Papanasam Sivan. Thus the innate conducive aptitude
received ample opportunities and rich food for growth of knowledge and
exposure to soulful music of verdant type.
Had his training
in music under Mani Bhagavatar at Mayavaram and then studied at the Music
College of the Annamalai University, Chidambaram then manned by stalwarts
like Tiger Varadachariar, Sattur Krishnayyangar and Ponniah Pillai. 'Ayyangar
was my adharsha guru and he a model, ideal guru in all respects'
in theory and practice of music. KSK, as he is popularly called now, had
many practice sessions with Tanjore Tyagarajan and Sankara Ayyar and percussionist
T.K.Murthy, then a disciple of Tanjore Vaidyanatha Ayyar, a mridangam maestro,
at Tanjore. His debut was at the Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai. Enjoys a
vast repertoire of songs, lavish expertise and varied experience. Above
all, he is a respected teacher of distinction. The concert dias would seem
to have ignored him much as it did many stalwarts like Simizhi Sundaram
Ayyar but as guru, he has drawn many shining young artistes and has shpaed
their careers. A musical Drona indeed. A senior Editor, Sruti magazine.
He is a shy and retiring person. He has a research-oriented mind, an adept
in lakshya-lakshana music and a good tune-setter.
Honours &
Titles:
Sruti Foundation,
Chennai honoured him with the title of Sangita Kala Nipuna
Suswara, Chennai
conferred the title of Sangita Kala Jyoti and gave the Jana Saraswati Peeth
Award in November 1994.
Maharajapuram
Viswanatha Ayyar Trust honoured him in 1994.
KUNJUMANI
& NEELA (SIKKIL SISTERS) - FLAUTIST DUO
Sarabha Sastri,
T.R. Mahalingam and N.Ramani have been eminent/ prominent flute artistes.
Strangely, reputed lady performers have been rare till the Sikkil sisters
enered the field and very quickly distinguished themselves as top artistes
on the flute. Music and more particularly flute was no stranger to
the family earlier.
Quite rightly, a writer observes that 'the man who is not thrilled to the bone by the spectacle of a woman playing the flute, blowing the clarinet or struggling with the intricacies of a trambone, is no man.'
Kunjumani, the elder was born on June 15, 1930 and had the benefit of learning flute from her paternal uncle and flautist, Azhiyur Narayanaswami Ayyar. She embellished her training with the intricacies of laya (rhythm) under her father, Azhiyur Natesa Ayyar, a mridanga vidwan. Born in musical envioronments, she began giving concerts from the age of nine and in 1942 (at the age of twelve), the Mysore Samasthanam awarded the title 'Venu Gana Praveena', in recognition of her maturity of knowledge and capability even then.
Sikkil Neela, the younger was born on September 6, 1940 and underwent training with her eleder sister. Began to give independent flute concerts from the age of seven and was given the title 'Apoorva Balakrishna Avatar' by the late Justice ASP Ayyar in 1950 at Nagapattinam.
Sikkil Sisters have been giving concerts together since 1962 and have had the advantage of prominet artistes accompanying them. Top artistes of the AIR, they have been giving hundreds of performances at all the sabhas, television and elsewhere. Their daughter, Mala Chandrasekar is also in the field now giving fulte performances. Have given concerts abraod, notably in Singapore, Malaysia, USA & Canada.
Apart from the initial awards they got in their teens, they have been honoured with the title of 'Kalaimamani' the the Tamil Nadu Sangeetha Nataka Sangam in 1973-74 and awarded special prizes for best performances by the Music Academy, Madras in 1978, 1982 and 1986. The Doyen in flute, Palladam Sanjeeva Rao gave prizes to the sisters in 1952 and specially blessed them. It is relevant to mention that it was he who suggested to Kunjumani's father to give her training in flute. They received the Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 1989.
The sisters
blend the tone and play on their flutes as beautifully and exquisitely
as Sangita Kalanidhi M.S.Subbulakshmi sings with her daughter-musician
Radha. The merger is toal and the effect remarkable. The Flute
Duo provide excellent and rich play free from flaw and bristles and enjoy
a good reputation for chaste, orthodox style in rendering raga, kriti and
swara.
TIRUVOTTIYUR
VINA KUPPAYYAR - VAINIKA & COMPOSER...............(1798-c.1904)
Vina Kuppayyar,
a distinguished disciple of Tyagaraja was a genius. Born of Sambamurthi
Sastri, Kuppa Ayyar had his training under his father and became a versatile
vidwan both in vocal and on the veena. Veena Kuppayyar was honoured
with the title of 'Gana Chakravarthi'. Sambamurthi Sastri was
a famous vocalist and vainika and people would say, 'Sambadu (Sambamurthi)
should sing and Sambadu (Lord Siva) should listen' - Sambadu Vayinchavala,
Sambadu Vinavala. As was the father, so was the son in the field
of music. A scholar in Sanskrit, Telugu, Kuppayyar was a genius in
composing bhajan - divyanama kirtanas, varnas, kritis and tillanas.
He was versatile on the violin also. His creative abilities were
remarkable and being deeply devoted to his family deity, he adopted 'Gopaladasa'
as his signature.
Veena Kuppayyar became a disciple under Tyagaraja. One day, he was playing on the veena of his guru surreptitiously in his absence. When Tyagaraja entered, he was suprised to hear captivating music and brilliant play on veena with remarkable felicity and competent fingering. When he found that the player was none other than his own disciple, he was most agreeably astonished. He immensely liked the disciple and pleased him by going over to his house at Tiruvottiyur and singing 'Venugopalaloluni' (Kedaragoula) in praise of the family deity of Kuppayyar; and also by staying at the Madras house of Kovur Sundara Mudaliar, where Kuppayyar enjoyed the status of asthana vidwan, for seven days and made a magnificient display of the potential and intricacies of Devagandhari raga.
From Tiruvottiyur,
Kuppayyar shifted to Muthialpet in Madras. His fame and popularity
were such that eminent musicians like Vadivelu of Thanjavur used to visit
him frequently and take part in festivals and bhajans conducted by him
regularly. Like Maha Vaidyanatha Ayyar he kept a big retinue of disciples,
undergoing gurukulavasa at his house (free accomodation, food, dress,
education and training - all included). His son Tiruvottiyur Tyagayyar,
Kothavasal Venkatarama Ayyar, Sitaramayya and Fiddle Ponnuswami Pillai
were among his disciples.
Kuppayyar's
compositions include-
Intaparakelanamma
- Begada.
Vinayaka Ninnuvina
- Hamsadvani
Varnams:
Begada - Adi
tala - Inta Chalamu
Bilahar -
Adi tala - Inta Chouka
Danyasi -
Khanda Ata - Nenarunchi
LALGUDI
G.J.R. KRISHNAN - VIOLINIST........................(b.April 15, 1960)
The Lalgudi
family is oneof the few in Carnatic music which takes genuine pride as
inheritors of a precious legacy and continuous dedication for generations
to the classical art. The paterfamalias Rama Ayyar was a devoted
disciple of Tyagarajah. Krishnan and Vijayalakshmi, son and daughter
of Lalgudi Jayaraman, Violin Maestro are duo violinits who combine delightfully
rendering melody more melodious. The magnitude of their intensive
training, dedication and exquisite musical expression come to instant notice
when they commence their concerts. The 'Lalgudi perfume' quite carefully
filtered and invigorated by their stalwart father, and passed on to Krishnan,
spread its fragrance and the duo play to aesthetic perfection. Krishnan
practically had all the gifts of gurukulavasa at home from birth and the
father - aunt violin concerts had come to stay since 1958 even before he
was conceived.
Krishnan got an early start in his training at the tender age of five with his grandfather Lalgudi Gopala Ayyar and continued it with his father. Made his debut in 1973 providing violin support to his father. he is giving solo rcitals, jugalbandhis and violin duets with his father or his sister. His style like his father's is the gayaka style closest to vocal rendition. His raga delineations are crisp and absorbing. Kriti rendition exhibits musical vigour and grace. Impeccable bowing and careful planning feature his concerts. Has been giving quite a large number of concerts in India and abroad.
A post graduate
in commerce and a Cost & Works Accountant, Krishnan is an Executive
Officer in an Investments Company and is a co-promoter of the vibrant organisation
'TYME' (Talented Youth for Musical Excellence).
Honours &
titles:
Best violinist
Award by Music Academy, Madras - 1986
Yuva Kala
Bharati by Bharat Kalachar - 1987
NAMAGIRIPETTAI
KRISHNAN - NAGASWARA MAESTRO........................(b.April 2, 1924)
Namagiripettai
Krishnan is the son and disciple of Kathan. He underwent further
training with Ganesan of Aruppukottai from the age of fourteen and cherishes
sweet memories of his apprenticeship. The teacher would give lessons
only in fits and starts and would stop abruptly too. His mother's
name is Kunjammal; one of his brothers is a percussionist (tavil) while
another, Murugan is his co-player.
Krishnan during
his visits abroad for concerts had an interesting experiences. He
says that nagaswaram and tavil are inseperable twins like Siva Sakti unity.
He knows to play on violin too. He is the accredited vidwan to the
Tirumalai Tirupathi Devasthanams. He has played on nagaswaram for
many films.
Honours &
Titles:
Sangeet Natak
Akademy Award - 1981
Isai Perarasu
by Tamil Isai Sangham - 1983-84
Saptagiri
Sangita Vidwanmani by Tyagaraja Trust, Tirupathi - 1992
He has been honoured with many other titles like 'Inkuzhal Isai Arasu', 'Nagaswara Isai Mannar', 'Perunguzhal Pulavar Mani' and a Doctorate (one of the three nagaswara vidwans who enjoy this honour now)
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