About Shri Mama:
MRUDANGA VIDWAN SHRI.P.SRINIVASAN was born on 8.11.1925 and he is the son of Smt. Madhuramba & Shri P. Jwalapathi.
Srinivasan learnt mrudangam initially from his maternal uncle Shri V.K.Venkatasubramaniam in Vellore and also from Kalpathi Shri Ramanatha Iyer, when their family moved to Chennai in 1940. In order to have further intensive training in all the aspects of this divine art, he became the disciple of Sangeetha Kalanidhi, Padmabushan Palghat Shri T.S.Mani Iyer in the year 1943.After coming under the tutelage of the Maestro, Srinivasan learnt the art in the Guru-Kula system for more than 15 years and continued to be assisting Shri Mani Iyer for the rest of his life.
He has accompanied great stalwarts like Chembai Shri Vaidhyanatha Baghavathar, Shri Chowdaih, Chengalpet Shri Ranganathan, Maharajapuram Shri V. Santhanam, Ayyalur Shri Krishnan, Shri D.K.Jayaraman, Vairamangalam Shri Lakshmi Narayanan, Thiruvenkadu Shri Jayaraman, Shri A.Sundaresan, Smt. R.Vedavalli and various artistes. He joined the All India Radio, Madras as staff artiste in 1958 and served till 1985 for 27 years. He holds a “B-High” Grade in mrudangam in AIR and Doordharshan.
He has played in all the esteemed sabas like The Music Academy, The Indian Fine Arts Society, Shri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, Shri Krishna Gana Sabha and other well known organizations.
He worked as Professor in “The Thanjavur Vaidhyanatha Iyer School for Percussion”, The Music Academy, Chennai, since, 1996. He teaches mrudangam at “Nandhi Sthala” a place to learn mrudangam in Anna Nagar for the last 3 years. Also, many students eagerly learn from him at home. Shri.P.Srinivasan has now completed 75 years in his musical career.
Awards and Honours:
1. “The Award of Honour” by the Carnatic Music Wing of the Accountant General’s Office in the year 1985.
2. Shri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, honoured him with a special award on 21-07-2005.
3. Guru Smaranam, Egmore, dedicated to the memory of mrudangam virtuoso Palghat Mani Iyer, has honoured him in 18-11-2006, in a function held at the Asthika Samajam, Venus Colony, Alwarpet, Chennai – 18.
4. Sangeetha Kalanidhi Padmabushan Umayalpuram Shri K.Sivaraman, honoured Shri P.Srinivasan, in the annual function of Laya Laavanyaa Fine Arts Foundation, held on 3-2-2007 at Srinivasa Sasthri Hall, Mylapore, Chennai – 4.
5. Shri.P.Srinivasan has also served as judge in many competitions conducted by several institutions.
