Ramanathapuram C S Murugabhoopathy

Ramanathapuram C. S. Murugabhoopathy
Background information
Also known as	CSM or Chellaswamy Sirchabai Murugabhoopathy
Born	February 14, 1914(1914-02-14)
Origin	India
Died	March 21, 1998(1998-03-21) (aged 84)
Genres	Indian classical music
Occupations	Mridanga artist
Instruments	Mridanga
Notable instruments
Mridanga, Khanjira

Ramanathapuram C. S. Murugabhoopathy (February 14, 1914 — March 21, 1998), popularly referred to as CSM, was one of the most distinguished Mridanga maestros of the 20th century. He was a contemporary of Palghat Mani Iyer (1912–1981) and Palani Subramania Pillai (1908–1962).^[1] The three legends are revered as the "Holy Trinity of Mridanga".^[1]

Early life

Born in the town of Ramanathapuram (also known as Ramnad) in Tamil Nadu, Murugabhoopathy obtained his early lessons in Mridanga from his father Chitsabai Servai (also Sirchabai Servai)^[2] and later on from Palani Muttiah Pillai (the father of Palani Subramania Pillai), both of whom were students of the great Pudukottai Manpoondia Pillai (read as Maamudia Pillai). Murugabhoopathy’s elder brother C. S. Shankarsivam Bhagavatar was a strong influence in the development of Murugabhoopathy's musical style.^[2][3] A young CSM picked up many tips from legendary percussionists including Kumbhakonam Azhaganambi Pillai, who taught him some intricate techniques of playing with his left hand.^[1]

Major Performances

Murugabhoopathy accompanied many carnatic stalwarts such as Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Chittoor Subramania Pillai, Musiri Subramania Iyer, and Dandapani Deshikar. CSM benefited a lot from the generous promotion and support given by Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar and Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer.^[1][4][5] He later on played along side G. N. Balasubramaniam, Madurai Mani Iyer, M. D. Ramanathan, Ramnad Krishnan, T. M. Thyagarajan, Maharajapuram Santhanam, Madurai Somasundaram, Madurai T N Sheshgopalan, T.R.Mahalingam(flute), Mysore V. Doreswamy Iyengar (veena), Tirumakudalu Chowdiah (violin), T. N. Krishnan (violin), Lalgudi Jayaraman (violin) and other leading musicians in many concerts.^[1][3]

Awards and Recognition

• Kalaimamani (1963)
• Padma Shri (1973)^[2][6]
• Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award (1975)^[7]
• State Artist of Tamil Nadu (1979)
• Palghat Mani Iyer Award (1985)^[3]

Legacy

CSM improvised the left hand playing technique with innovative movements of split fingers.^[1] He was renowned for his unmatched sense of pitch, tonal purity and meaningful silent pauses while following the main artiste. Clarity even during very high speed renditions was one of the hallmarks of his thani aavarthanes (solos). CSM also developed many unique patterns and lessons and established a new playing style. Some of his notable students include Mavilekkara Shankarakutty Nair, Karaikudi Krishnamurthy (Singapore & London), Kumbakonam Premkumar (AIR Delhi), and B. Druvaraj (Bangalore). His most famous student was the Khanjira wizard G. Harishankar (AIR Madras).^[1][2] The Mridanga trinity influenced one another and drew inspiration by listening to one another. It is a fact that Palani Subramania Pillia, who rarely played the Khanjira in live concerts (although he was extremely good at it), played on a Khanjira only with two Mridangists. One of course was Palghat Mani Iyer and the other was C S Murugabhoopathy.^[8]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Ramanathapuram C S Murugabhoopathy: The Last of the Titans, an Obituary by K S Kalidas, May 1998. Shruti, 164: 15-16.
2. ^ ^{a b c d} N. Scott Robinson. "South Indian Percussionist Page". http://www.nscottrobinson.com/. http://www.nscottrobinson.com/southindiaperc.php. Retrieved march 16, 2011. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} Publication of the Percussive Arts Centre, Bangalore
4. ^ An interview of Ramathapuram C S Murugabhoopathy published in the music magazine Shruti, July 1985 (issue 17 S, page 6)
5. ^ A radio interview of Ramanathapuram C S Murugabhoopathy conducted by Mr Subramanya Deshikar (AIR Madras)
6. ^ "Padma Awards Directory (1954-2009)". Ministry of Home Affairs. http://www.mha.nic.in/pdfs/LST-PDAWD.pdf. 
7. ^ "Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar (Akademi Awards) list of Awardees". Sangeet Natak Akademi, http://www.sangeetnatak.org/. http://www.sangeetnatak.org/sna/awardeeslist.htm. Retrieved March 16, 2011. 
8. ^ A radio interview of Trichy Sankaran, speaking on Palani Subramania Pillai

Persondata
Name
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	February 14, 1914
Place of birth
Date of death	March 21, 1998
Place of death