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PUDUKOTTAI DAKSHINAMURTHI PILLAI - PERCUSSIONIST WIZARD.............(1875-1937) Born on December 30, 1875 (one authority mentions 1877), of Ramaswami Pillai, Dakshinamurthi Pillai was a good for nothing lad till eighteen. Entered service at Pudukottai and served as guard at the Palace for three years. Learnt ghatam from a Pandaram and mridangam under Tanjore Narayanaswami Appa and at his age of twenty-five or so, came under the tutelage of Manpoondia Pillai, a wizard. Pillai in his professional play had a robust view to 'keep to the middle of the path. Appreciation of the entire audience was his motto. The odd man is not your target to please.' He was at the helm to the last. After
his training, he joined Balamani Ammal's troupe as percussionist and was
playing for musical discourses also. His entry into the world of concerts
certainly elevated the standard of the performances at which he was present
with his sweet, soft, adjusting brilliance. He was a colossus, a familiar
figure respected and admired and one is yet to see the replica of the Percussion
duo of Palghat Mani and Pillai on mridangam and kanjira. Versatile both
on the mridangam and kanjira, Dakshinamurthi Pillai was a wizard on kanjira
and was perhaps the first and the last of the giants on that instrument
which lacks sruti adjustments and has to be operated by one hand, holding
it by the other. He was cordial with one and all, quite prominent in higher
circles, an eternal source of encouragement to the young and an inspiration
to great masters like Karaikudi Sambasiva Ayyar and Konerirajapuram Vaidyanatha
Ayyar. Immense faith in God Muruga, his exclamations, response and appreciation
were always 'Andava, Andava'. Quite in keeping with his life, he entered
on sanyasa at the end and took the name of Chinmayananda Guru.
He is also conducting a Music School at his house- Sri Thyagaraja Sangeetha Vidyalayam- since 1980, under the auspices of which he is celebrating every year Ganakaladhara Madurai Mani Iyer day, along with Vidyalayam's Anniversary and Sri Thyagaraja Jayanthi, with renowned Sangeetha vidwans participation. His Sangeetha Vidyalayam will be completing 25 years of existence in the year 2005 along with his 50th year of his musical career. He will also be completing 75 years of age during that period. He
is now the Asthana Vidwan of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. He has been awarded
numerous titles such as
Recently
he has be honored by Bharath Kalachar, Chennai with late Dr. Semmangudi
Srinivasa Iyer award for Veteran Musicians Desikan
founded the Sangita Samrakshana Sabha, Salem along with his friends. He
had trained many including Jayalakshmi Ramachandran, Neela and Eachangudi
N.Ramamurti Bhagavatar. He had given a large number of concerts (vocal
and veena) for All India Radio and sabhas. Padma Desikan, his wife, is
a veena player. Desikan was also manufacturing veenas according to specifications.
He made his debut at Tirumarugal, noted for its Saivite shrine and for its brilliant nagaswaram maestro Natesan. He was teacher from his eighteenth year at the Okkur Lakshmanan Chettiar Thevara Patasala for ten years and was Professor and Head of the Department of Music, Annamalai University for fifteen years. He was giving concerts. He
has published on behalf of the Annamalai University and the Tamil Isai
Sangam, songs of Bharati, Padinalvar, Thevaram, Divya Prabandam and Tirupugazh
in 'Isai Tamizh Paamalai'. He has included his own compositions also. He
has acted in a number of films like Pattinathar, Vallala Maharajan, Manickavachakar,
Thayumanavar, Nandanar and Thirumazhisai Alwar. His chaste pronounciation,
sweet voice and steady tempo, spiritual and devotional songs and devout
rendition helped him and the films in gaining high popularity.
'For elegance and purity of style, for richness and variety of store, she stood supreme for half a century' - that was her merit. 'It looked as though the instrument was invented for her; and she for the instrument', said E.Krishna Ayyar. Dhanammal was the grand daughter of Kamakshiamma, reputed vocalist and dancer; daughter of Sundaramma, who was trained by Subbaraya Sastri, son of Syama Sastri; niece of Appakannu, the violinist; disciple of her mother, Sathanur Panchanada Ayyar, Alasingarayya, Balakrishnayya and Dharmapuri Subbaraya Ayyar besides Baldas Naidu of Wallajahpet and Saidapet Tirumalachariar; sister of violinist Narayanaswmi and of Manickam and of another, a percussionist; mother of Jayammal, a vocalist and grandmother of Sangita Kalanidhi T.Balasaraswathi, the Bharatha Natyam exponent, Sangita Kalanidhi Brinda Mukta vocalists and Sangita Kalanidhi T.Viswanathan Flautist. The
volume, spread and continuity of praise drawn by Veena Dhanammal are phenomenal
next only to those of Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri.
Veena was heirloom of the family. She had a fine voice that blended with
veena. Fine touches, tonal shades, rich raga bhava, gamakas and embellishments
made her famous and popular. With her rich repertoire and her style, she
kept her place as an eminent player to the last. Melody and all the fine
graces - each in its place and in an appropriate measure - marked her concerts.
She often sang as she played on the veena but
Her
forte was ragha bhava. Economy in choice and use of gamakas, softness and
delicacy of touch were unique. Her residence was a beehive of musical activity
for over two generations. In her concerts she would cover the master pieces
of all prominent composers. Veena Dhanammal is, of course, no more. Her
great attainments, her fame, her 'bani' (style) continue to inspire generations.
In brief, 'Dhanammal tradition' is the beacon light in the world of Carnatic
music.
Titles
received :
He
was honoured with :
Dr.Durga
has taught Indian music and Ethnomusicology at the Universities in India
and USA. She learnt music from her mother, a disciple of Rajamanickam Pillai
and had further training with Madurai Mani Ayyar, Maharajapuram Viswanatha
Ayyar, Ramnad Krishnan and Dr.M.Balamuralikrishna and has given concerts
in India and abroad. Proficient in Hindustani and folk music styles, she
has acquired a knowledge of other foreign styles. 'Her exquisite concert
which won repeated applause included songs in twelve languages', says the
'Indian Express'. Dr.Durga has several publications and articles to her
credit, besides compositions. She has founded the Center for Ethnomusicology,
Chennai. The International Music Club, New York has awarded the title 'Skylark
of India' to her |
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