M. D. Ramanathan

Manjapara Devesa Ramanathan (b.May 20 1923- d.April 27 1984) affectionately called MDR was a Carnatic music composer and vocalist.

Early life

MDR was born in Manjapara, Palakkad District, Madras Province on 20 May 1923. His father Devesa Bhagavathar was a music teacher by profession. He did his schooling in Palakkad and graduated with a BSc degree in Physics from Victoria College, Palakkad. On completion of his studies, he travelled to Madras along with his father to improve his musical talents.

tudy of Sangita Siromani music

During the same time, the legendary Rukmini Devi Arundale initiated a new course on "Sangeeta Siromani" at Kalakshetra. MDR auditioned for the course and was the only student to be selected for the first batch commencing in 1944. Soon, MDR emerged as Tiger Varadachariar's favorite and was his closest disciple when the latter passed away in 1950.

Principal of Kalakshetra

After his graduation, MDR continued as an assistant to his guru and later became the Professor of Music at Kalakshetra. He also served as the Principal of the College of Fine Arts at Kalakshetra.

Music career

Renderings

MDR is known for his unique style of singing. He renders songs at an extremely slow pace thereby allowing ample time for the listener to catch every word of the song and gauge its meaning. He also sings with adequate "bhava" or expression. Ramanathan has sung in most Carnatic music ragas such as "Sahana, Sri, Anandabhairavi, Reethigowla" and "Yadukula Kambhoji". Other favorite ragas of his include "Kedaram, Kambhoji" and "Hamsadhwani". As he himself had once admitted, his "Vilambita Kala Gaanam" renderings during Kathakali dances have influenced his music and style of singing.

Compositions

MDR has composed more than 300 songs in Carnatic music in Tamil, Telugu and Sanskrit. Some of his famous compositions are:

Awards

For his contributions to music, MDR was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1974 and the Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award in 1975. The Indian Fine Arts Society bestowed upon him the title of 'Sangeetha Kala Sigamani' in 1976. He also served as a member of the Madras Music Academy's Experts Committee. He was also considered for the Academy's Sangeetha Kalanidhi award in the 1983-84 season though he did not get the award.

Death

MDR died after a long illness on April 27, 1984 at the age of sixty. He was survived by his wife and son.

Legacy

MDR's legacy is alive through his albums and private recordings. "M.D. Ramanathan, A Unique Octave in Music" by Dr. Madhu Vasudevan which was released in 2003 is a fitting tribute to the legend.

References

* [http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/05/23/stories/2008052350070200.htm "Unsung Genius" Hindu May 2008]
* [http://www.carnaticcorner.com/articles/mdr.html A brief biography at carnaticcorner.com]
* [http://www.carnatica.net/mdrtribute.htm A tribute to M.D.Ramanathan at carnatica.net]
* [http://www.geocities.com/venkumaar/music/mdrmusic.htm The divine music of M.D.Ramanathan]
* [http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/08/15/stories/2004081501322200.htm The Hindu:20 years after M.D.Ramanathan, A tribute to M.D.Ramanathan]
* Kuppuswamy, Gowri and Hariharan, M. (1981), Index of Songs in South Indian Music, B. R. Publishing Corporation, Delhi.
* Rajagopalan, N. (1991), A Garland, Bharitiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay.
* [http://www.emusic.com/album/10907/10907359.html M.D.ramanathan songs MP3 download]
* [http://www.sawf.org/newedit/edit01282002/musicarts1.asp Clips of M.D.Ramanathan]

External links

* [http://mdramanathan.com Website of M.D.Ramanathan]
* [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/04/24/stories/2003042401250200.htm MDR, Mythical Music Maker]