Fiddle Ponnusamy

[balakk]

Does anybody have more information on this vidwan? He's credited with the Kambhoji varnam Tharuni, which I was taught as a kid and like quite a bit. I couldn't find any other information online. Any other songs written by him? Thanks!

[Ramasubramanian M.K]

His full name was Muthialpet Ponnuswami Pillai. He was a violinist--a close associate of Composer Tiruvottiyur Thyagayyar--(son of Veenai Kuppier--one of Thygarajaswami's disciples at the late stage of the saint's career). he was also a contemporary and close associate of Veena Dhanammal and Nellayappa Nattuvanar. Fiddle Ponnuswamy was guru to Appakannu who also became proficient like his master. he composed the Taruni Varnam in kambodhi.

I vaguely remember Semmangudi Mama mentioning him in complimentary terms. Not much is known.Perhaps other readers can help!!

[Ramasubramanian M.K]

Further to the above post I came across another Violinist Iluppur Ponnuswami Pillai. He was a close associate of Pudukottai Manpoondia Pillai(Guru of Pudukottai Dakshinamurthy Pillai and Palani Muthiah Pillai ---father of Palani Subramanian Pillai ). he was the uncle of the famous Tavil Vidwan Panchami. he was noted for his stress on Laya and held in high regard for his wizardry(according to Garland Rajagopal's volumes on carnatic Composers and Musicians). He has composed Thillanas and Varnams. His last performance was accompanying Kanchipuram Naina Pillai noted for his Laya wizardry. .

I have heard several stories about Illuppur Ponnuswami Pillai from SSI and others