Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer

Infobox Person
name = Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer


caption = Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, in his days as a budding Carnatic musician
birth_date = birth date|1908|7|25|mf=y
birth_place = Tirukkodikaval, Tamil Nadu, India
dead=dead
death_date = death date and age|2003|10|31|1907|7|25|mf=y
death_place = Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer ( _ta. ஸெம்மங்குடி ஸ்ரீனிவாச ஐயர்) (July 25 1908 - October 31 2003) was considered to be one of the greatest Carnatic vocalists of the twentieth century. He was the youngest recipient of the Sangeetha Kalanidhi awarded by the Music Academy in 1947 [ [http://www.carnaticcorner.com/articles/semmangudi.html Article by Mohan Ayyar] ] and has received many awards including Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan from the Government of India, Sangeet Natak Academy award (1953), "Isai Perarignar" from Government of Tamil Nadu and Kalidas Samman from Government of Madhya Pradesh. He was affectionately addressed as "Semmangudi Maama" (Semmangudi Uncle) by his disciples [ [http://www.hindu.com/fr/2003/11/07/stories/2003110701170400.htm Article-The Hindu] ] . He was also considered the "Pitamaha" or the grand sire of modern Carnatic Music. [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2023/stories/20031121006913100.htm The Hindu-Article] ]

He was born in Tirukkodikaval, Thanjavur District as the third son of Radhakrishna Iyer and Dharmasamvardhini Ammal. He lived with his maternal uncle Tirukkodikaval Krishna Iyer, a legendary violin maestro, until the age of four and after his death, moved to his parents' home in Semmangudi, Thanjavur District. At the age of eight he started learning music from his cousin Semmangudi Narayanaswamy Iyer. This was followed by some rigorous training under Thiruvadaimaruthur Sakharama Rao, a famous Gottuvadhyam exponent, an event considered by Semmangudi as a turning point in his life. This was followed by another training stint with Narayanaswamy Iyer, during which time he learnt a lot of varnams and keerthanams. Then he had a musical apprenticeship with Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer. In 1926, he performed his first music recital at Kumbakonam. [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2003/11/01/stories/2003110105530100.htm Article-The Hindu] ] In 1927 gave a concert in the Madras session of Indian National Congress, another event considered by Semmangudy as a turning point in his life, as it catapulted him into the big league of vidwans at that time. He was known for producing soulful music, highly creative and yet very orthodox, despite a recalcitrant voice.

He was instrumental, along with Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar, for the work on the krithis of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma. [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2023/stories/20031121006913100.htm The Hindu-Article] ] After attending one of his concerts in 1934, Maharani Sethu Parvati Bai of Travancore was so impressed by his talent and scholarship that she invited him to come to Thiruvananthapuram to edit and popularise the compositions of Swati Tirunal. He succeeded Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar as Principal of the Swathi Thirunal College of Music at Thiruvananthapuram, a post he held for 23 years, until the age of 55. At this age, he handed over his responsibilities to another Carnatic legend, G. N. Balasubramaniam and at the behest of the Government of India, became the Chief Producer of Carnatic music at All India Radio, Madras from 1957 to 1960. In later life, he concentrated on concert performances and tutoring youngsters. His gave public concerts even after the age of 90.

Concert Performances

Semmangudi was widely renowned for his virtuosity as a concert performer. He was famous for the meticulous planning that he put into every concert, including the choice of krithis, raagas and duration.Fact|date=February 2007 He was also widely acknowledged as a master of improvisation, particularly in the form of niravals.Fact|date=February 2007

Voice

Semmangudi was well-known for his uncharacteristically nasal voice in an era when practically every prominent Carnatic singer had an impeccable voice. [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1522/15220650.htm Interview in Frontline, Issue Dated 24-Oct-1998] ] In his youth, famous kanjira performer, Dhakshinamurti Pillai commented to his brother and teacher, "His voice is as melodious as the noise created when a coconut shell is scraped on a rock. Don't bother to give him vocal training. Let him learn to play the violin." [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2023/stories/20031121006913100.htm Article -The Hindu] ] Despite such criticism, Semmangudi worked hard to improve his voice through practice and rigorous training. In the end, his natural talent for music emerged victorious over his deficient voice and he became a phenomenon in the Carnatic world. Fact|date=February 2007

His singing style has been widely followed, and his prominent disciples include Sangeetha Kalanidhis, M. S. Subbulakshmi, T. M. Thyagarajan and violinist, Prof. T. N. Krishnan.

Family

At a very young age, he was married to Thayyu ammal. Thayyu ammal he always acknowledged as a pivotal factor for the success of his career. The entire family was run with stream line precision by Thayyu ammal, when he has to frequently travel for concerts and also spend most of his time in music.

Sons -

Swaminathan,Gopalaswamy,Radhakrishnan.

Daughters

Santha,Dharma

References

External links

* [http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1522/15220650.htm/ - Interview with The Hindu in 1998]
* [http://www.carnaticcorner.com/articles/semmangudi.html - Article on Carnatic Corner]