Biography & Contribution of Mridangist

N.Nirmalan · Post by **N.Nirmalan** » 23 Jun 2009, 22:28

My son is sitting for Mrudangam examination in Toronto, conducted by Thamil Isai Kala Manram, Ontario. As part of his syllabus for Grade 6 Theory, he must know the Biography & contribution of following Mrudangist in Carnatic Music.
a)Thanchai Vaidhyanathar
b)C.S Murugapoopathy
Can someone let me know, from where can he get these informations.
Thanks
Nirmalan

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 24 Jun 2009, 00:04

I was going to suggest Google --- but, thankfully, I tried it before putting my foot in it. It knows nothing of Thanchai Vaidhyanathar, although it has heard of C.S Murugapoopathy.

I can't help otherwise, although, like Google, I have at least heard of CSM.

Other rasikas will be better informed...

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 24 Jun 2009, 00:16

The right search string to use is Thanjavur Vaidyanatha Iyer . He is the guru of Palghat Mani Iyer.

Here is one Hindu article about this great artist: http://www.hinduonnet.com/fr/2007/04/27 ... 400300.htm

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 24 Jun 2009, 01:13

Ahhh.... So often getting the right answer depends on asking the right question!

Thank you!

gn.sn42 · Post by **gn.sn42** » 24 Jun 2009, 04:53

vasanthakokilam, thanks for that link - a very informative article.

Is the author ("Sriram Venkatkrishnan") the same person as V. Sriram, who writes so often (and well) about the history of CM?

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 24 Jun 2009, 11:56

gn.sn42 - yes he is also known as Sriram V. He has a blog with occasional posts on music at http://sriramv.wordpress.com/

Tanjore Vaidyanatha Iyer is considered a doyen of the mrudangam. His greatest contribution to music was probably the brilliant students he groomed. Apart from Palghat Mani Iyer, TK Murthy and Umayalpuram Sivaraman were also his disciples. They in turn have trained many top artistes of today. There is a thread about him at http://rasikas.org/forums/viewtopic.php? ... -iyer.html
See also http://www.carnatica.net/artiste/vaidyanathaiyer.htm

C.S. Murugabhoopathy was born on 15 February 1914 and died on 21 March 1998. He was a veteran mrudangam artiste. His elder brother and guru was Ramanathapuram C. S. Sankarasivan, who was a disciple of Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar (and also guru of Madurai TN Seshagopalan). Their father was Chitsabai Servai, a disciple of the laya maestro Pudukottai Manpoondia Pillai. Murugaboopathy has accompanied many greats such as Semmengudi, GNB, Ramnad Krishnan, Balamuralikrishna, Madurai Somu and TNSeshagopalan. There are some brief notes about him at http://www.carnatica.net/artiste/murugabhoopathy.htm

gn.sn42 · Post by **gn.sn42** » 24 Jun 2009, 12:58

Thanks, mohan.