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Honour for tradition
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This year, the Music Academy confers the titles Sangita Kala Acharya on three persons and honours three others with the TTK Award of Excellence. NANDINI RAMANI profiles them.
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Kalyanapuram Aravamudhan.
THE MUSIC Academy, Chennai, is known for its focus on the twin fields of Sastra (Theory) and Prayoga (Methodology) of Carnatic Music. In order to foster the continuation of the varied aspects of our rich oral traditions and preserve the guru-sishya lineage in music, the academy has been identifying torchbearers of different sampradayas in both these spheres, who are honoured with the titles, Sangita Kala Acharya and the TTK Award of Excellence in the chosen areas. With the year long celebration of the Platinum Jubilee drawing to a close, the Academy is honouring some of the renowned personalities in the fields of music, dance and allied forms.
Among the three recipients of Sangita Kala Acharya this year, veena vidushi Kalpakam Swaminathan, 80 year-old veteran tops the list, as being a true adherent of a grand tradition that she upholds with utmost reverence and integrity. Born in Sethalapatti village in Thanjavur District, Kalpakam Swaminathan was initiated into the realms of music first by her mother Abhayambal at the tender age of eight. Thereafter, she continued her training both in vocal and instrumental with stalwarts in the field like Ananthakrishna Iyer, Musiri Subramania Iyer, Budalur Krishnamurthi Sastrigal and T. L. Venkatarama Iyer.
Kalpakam Swaminathan, is known for her impeccable rendering of the compositions in the true gayaki (vocalised) style, a hallmark of the unique Thanjavur bani. Learning a vast repertoire of vainika gayaka Muthuswami Dikshitar, from an authority like T. L. Venkatarama Iyer has added yet another dimension to her high standard of performance. Kalpakam was brought into the field of teaching and assigned a job at the Kalakshetra, Chennai, by none other than Tiger Varadachariar who found in her a refined musician. Kalpakam has travelled widely in India and abroad for concerts and conducting workshops.
Kalpakam Swaminathan, a widely respected teacher represents the true essence of a Mouna Guru who communicates with silence and humility, and imparts only the notes of excellence to her disciples.
K. Kalyanasundaram
Andhra Pradesh has produced many noteworthy doyens of Carnatic music and the Academy has been recognising their outstanding merit on appropriate occasions. Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana multi-faceted musician-scholar, who hails from Anakapally in Andhra, deserves the title Mahamahopadhyaya, which precedes his name, describing him as an outstanding teacher. Nookala Satyanarayana is a revered performer, and a renowned musicologist, who has authored several books on music. This 75 year-old doyen's musical voyage began from a very early age; after seeing his immense potential, his parents led him to Mangalam-pally Pattabhi-ramaiah, who taught him violin. Inspired by the renowned violinist, Prof. Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu, Nookala went to Vijayanagaram to seek the guidance of this great teacher.
Thereafter, he had further training with Dr. S. Pinakapani and sharpened his skills both in the performing sphere and in the field of teaching. He has trained several hundreds of students and is the Founder of the Vishwakala Parishad, a centre for promotion and propagation of Carnatic music, especially through the young and talented. Satyanarayana has travelled widely for concerts and lecture-demonstrations.
T. R. Subramanyam, well known as TRS in the music circles, is a versatile performer, teacher and composer. As an outstanding student from the Tamil Nadu Government College of Music, in 1951, TRS had the opportunity to be moulded by stalwarts like T. Brinda, and Musiri Subramania Iyer. He is a fine blend of a musician and musicologist. During the 30 years of his musical career, TRS taught at the Department of Music of Delhi University. While at Delhi, he had invited as many of our musicians to the Capital and created a deeper interest and involvement among the cultural public there. In fact, many of the cultural organisations both in New Delhi and cities of Andhra Pradesh owe their existence to this venerated musician who spent the best part of his career in these places. The name and reputation of this highly accomplished teacher-performer is known far and wide for his technique that focuses on the traditional values of music. Many of his students are today acclaimed as well-known academicians and skilful musicians.
TRS is a gifted composer of lively varnams (also for dance), chittaswarams, tillanas, kritis and pallavis that serve as a great source of knowledge for the younger musicians. Yet another striking feature of this generous teacher is that he has helped and shaped innumerable disciples without accepting any fee, thereby exhibiting a rare gesture. He holds a Masters Degree in English Literature; his lectures on the aspects of music have drawn a vast network of students all over the globe. Sangeetha Choodamani, Sangeetha Maha-mahopadyaya, Layakala Nipuna and Sangeetha Kala Sagara are some of the titles conferred on him.
TTK Awardees
Listening to a Thevaram or the devotional hymns sung at the specific Kaala, and Sandhi or Saayarakashai worship, be it at a Siva temple or that of the other Parivara Devatas, especially in the enchanting stillness in the interior of the south is a divine experience. Such is the glorious service of the Oduvar Murtis in the South-Indian temple tradition. The mere mention of the Tirumurai-rendering or Tamizhisai, will remind one of the veteran singer Dharmapuram P. Swaminathan, a devout soul dedicated to the saintly compositions.
Kalpakam Swaminathan.
Dharmapuram P. Swaminathan, was born in Thanjavur district in 1923. His early training in Thevara Isai began at the Dharmapuram Thevara Tamizhisai Palli, under Tirumurai Kalanidhi R. Velayudha Oduvar, for a period of five years. Swaminathan continued his training in Carnatic vocal further at the Annamalai University under the guidance of Chittoor Subramania Pillai and secured the Sangita Bhooshanam title from this august institution, with a First class. With Madurai Subramania Mudaliar, Swaminathan continued his lessons in music for some more years.
His musical career, which spans over nearly six decades, is full of devotional pursuits and propagation of Tevara Isai. His association with several temple renovation projects and his voluntary contribution through his music towards such noble endeavours form an endless list. He has been an A Grade artist of AIR since 1952. The number of discs to his credit is 12 discs and 700 audiocassettes.
Awards and Honours have been showered on him for his unique contribution to this sphere of devotional music. Isai Perarignar from Tamizhisai Sangam, Kalaimamani from the Tamil Nadu Government, State Artist, Tamilnadu Government, the President's Award, titles and honours from Dharmapuram, Kundrakkudi, Madurai, and Thanjai Adheenams. He has established a Charitable Trust in his name, at Kundrathur, Chennai.
Hailing from a glorious lineage of Thanjavur Nattuvanaras, Natyacharya Thanjavur K. Kalyanasundaram Pillai, is one of the most respected Bharatanatyam teachers. Son of the late T.P. Kuppiah Pillai, Kalyanasundaram's ancestors were patronised and honoured by the Royalty of Baroda, Mysore and Ramanathapuram. Most distinguished among them was Venkatakrishna Nattuvanar, Asthana Vidwan of Raja Serfoji. It is a happy coincidence that an invaluable work on Hasta-Abhinaya, titled "Abhinaya Navanita" brought out by the Music Academy in 1961, is a joint venture of Panchapakesa Nattuvanar, father of Kuppiah Pillai along with one Chetlur Narayana Iyengar of Thanjavur (prepared first in 1886). It is a matter of gratification that the grandson Panchapagkesa Nattuvanar is being adorned with TTK award of Excellence.
T.K. Kalyanasundaram Pillai, learnt the art from his father, Kuppiah Pillai, his brother Mahalingam Pillai brother-in-law A.T. Govindaraja Pillai and sister Karunambal. He made his debut as a dancer at the tender age of four in 1936 at the Kumbheswara-swami temple at Kumbhakonam on the auspicious day of Arudra. In 1937 he received the bountiful blessings of renowned stalwarts like Natya Kalanidhi Pandanallur Meenakshisundaram Pillai, Chockalingam Pillai, P. Kittappa Pillai, and Muthiah Pillai after performing in their august presence. Later he continued to equip himself with the essential requisites of this art form, by training in Carnatic music from Alathur Panchapakesa Iyer and mridangam from Vidwan Raghunatha Iyer, apart from attaining skill in nattuvangam.
Dharmapuram P. Swaminathan.
It was in 1945 Sri Raja Rajeswari Bharatanatya Kala Mandir was established at Mumbai, by the family members of Kalyanasundaram Pillai who migrated to that part of the country in order to propagate the art.
As part of the teaching faculty of this well-known centre for Bharatanatyam, Kalyanasundaram conducted the recital of his first student in 1960.
He has not looked back since. Innumerable students, many of whom are well-established dancers in India and abroad, countless productions — traditional and innovative — and extensive foreign tours have marked the career of this respected teacher. In the past six decades of its dedicated service, the Raja Rajeswari School has become the byword in Mumbai, for every aspiring young talent who wants to learn the art of the south in all its pristine glory.
Several awards and honours have been bestowed on Kalyanasundaram Pillai. Noteworthy among them are the Kalaimamani from Tamil Nadu Government, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Natya Kalanidhi, Natya Chelvam, and the Sharngadev Fellowship. At Raja Rajeswari Kala Mandir, Kalyanasundaram Pillai continues to train a vast number of students and is constantly engaged in new works of choreography.
It is an interesting case of transformation of a Chief Executive of a reputed organisaiton like IBM, to adorn the mantle of a Harikatha exponent. Kalyanapuram Aaraavamudan chose to relinquish his prestigious official position to dedicate himself totally to the service of the Supreme.
Harikatha requires the kathaka to master varied skills, music, dance, drama, knowledge of languages, Puranas, Itihasas, Epics, the Vedas, Sastra, Sampradaya Granthas, and so on.
Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana.
Sufficiently equipped in all these areas, Aaraavamudan has the powerful narrative skills with which he holds the audience in devotional raptures.
Since putting down his official position at the age of 45 in the last decade and more, Kalyanapuram Aaraavamudan has scaled new heights of reputation and recognition.
Stated to be the only disciple of the doyen Embar S. Vijayaraghavachariar, Kalyanapuram Araavamudan hails from Tiruvaiyaru. He learnt the Vedas and Prabandhams from his illustrious father Sri Nathamuni Ranganatha Iyengar; had tutelage under Srirangam Srimad Andavan Vedanta Ramanuja Maha Desikan (Thirukkudantai Andavan) for learning the Sampradaya Granthas.
Prof. T. R. Subramaniam.
His renditions are marked by an easy flow of thought, lively musical communication and fluent handling of different languages. With his intelligent, sharp and impressive approach, Aaravamudan holds the attention of the learned as well as the laymen alike.
The Tamil Nadu Government has honoured him with the title of Kalaimamani; he is the asthana vidwan of Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashramam, where he is also training students in the art of Harikatha.
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