Patnam Subramania Iyer

Patnam Subramania Iyer (1845 - July 31, 1902) was a composer and singer of Carnatic music. Subramaniya Iyer followed the traditions of the great composer Tyagaraja. He has left behind almost one hundred compositions.

Subramaniya Iyer was born in Thiruvaiyaru in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. His family had a long history of musical involvement - his father Bharatam Vaidyanatha Iyer was adept at both music and Sastra and his grandfather Panchanada Sastri was the court musician in the court of Serfoji Maharaja of Thanjavur. Subramaniya Iyer learnt music from his uncle, Melattur Ganapati Sastri and later under Manambuchavadi Venkatasubbayyar.

Subramaniya Iyer spent a long time in Chennapatnam (Chennai). This gave Subramaniya Iyer the prefix to his name. Many of his students such as Mysore Vasudevachar, Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar and Tiger Varadachariar became famous composers and vocalists.

Two of his famous compositions are "Raghu Vamsha Sudha" in raga "Kadhana Kuthuhala" and "Evari Bodhanna" in raga "Abhogi". He is known to have used his guru's mudra (signature) "Venkatesa" or variations of the same, in his compositions made in Telugu, Sanskrit and Tamil.

The Mysore king Chamaraja Wodeyar had gifted a pair of golden bracelets on two occasions, after the singing performances in the court.

ee also

* List of Carnatic composers

References

* [http://www.musicalnirvana.com/composers/patnam_subramania_iyer.html Musical Nirvana biography]
* [http://www.thehindujobs.com/thehindu/fr/2002/10/04/stories/2002100401520600.htm An Article in The Hindu, dated 04-Oct-2002, titled 'Creativity at its best']