Date:10/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/10/stories/2008111060611000.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar remembered

Staff Reporter

— Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

HONOUR: Chief Secretary K.S. Sripathi felicitating Swarnalatha Subramanian, granddaughter of Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar, at a function in Chennai on Sunday.

CHENNAI: He was the first musician to be honoured with a doctorate in India. He was also the first to start a music school, which he saw as the future of the gurukulam system.

Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar, one of the foremost composers of the 20th century, was also a multi-lingual scholar: he knew seven languages. Such insights into Dr. Muthiah Bhagavathar’s life were shared at his 131st birth anniversary celebration held here on Sunday by Hamsadhwani.

The legend Madurai Mani Iyer was a student of Dr. Muthiah Bhagavathar’s school. The western piece played in the Tamil movie, Thillana Mohanambal, was composed by Dr. Muthiah Bhagavathar for Madurai Mani Iyer, said Harikesanallur Venkatraman, a music critic, who hails from Dr. Muthiah Bhagavathar’s family.

Dr. Muthiah Bhagavathar’s granddaughter Swarnalatha Subramanian was felicitated by Chief Secretary K.S. Sripathi. A teacher and a performer, Ms. Subramanian runs a school of music in New Delhi.

Mr. Sripathi said in a mechanical age, music provided succour. Author Sivasankari, who also hails from Dr. Muthiah Bhagavathar’s family, spoke.