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{{Use Indian English|date=December 2024}}
{{other uses|Rajaratnam}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name             = T. N. Rajarathnam Pillai
| name             = T. N. Rajarathnam Pillai
| native_name      = திருமருகல் நடேசபிள்ளை ராஜரத்தினம் பிள்ளை
| birth_name       = Balasubramaniam
| native_name_lang = tamil
| alias             = TNR
| birth_name       = Balasubramaniam
| image             = TN Rajarathnam Pillai 2010 stamp of India.jpg
| alias           = TNR
| caption           = Rajarathnam Pillai on a 2010 stamp of India.jpg
| image           = TN Rajarathnam Pillai 2010 stamp of India.jpg
| birth_date       = {{birth date|1898|08|27|df=yes}}
| caption         = Rajarathnam Pillai on a 2010 stamp of India.jpg
| birth_place       = [[Thiruvaduthurai]],<br/>[[Mayiladuthurai district]],<br/>[[Madras Presidency]],<br/>[[British India]]<br/>(now [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]])
| birth_date       = {{birth date|1898|08|27|df=yes}}
| death_date       = {{death date and age|1956|12|12|1898|08|27|df=yes}}
| birth_place     = [[Thiruvaduthurai]]
| instruments       = [[Nadaswaram]]
| death_date       = {{death date and age|1956|12|12|1898|08|27|df=yes}}
| death_place      = [[Madras]], [[Madras State]]<br/>(now [[Chennai]], Tamil Nadu), India
| instruments     = [[Nadaswaram]]
| genre             = [[Carnatic music]]
| genre           = [[Carnatic music]]
| occupations      = [[Nadaswaram]] Performer
| occupations      = [[Nadaswaram]]Performer
| years_active     = 32
| years_active     = 32
| website           =  
| website         =
}}
}}
'''Thirumarugal Natesapillai Rajarathinam Pillai''' (27 August 1898 – 12 December 1956) or '''TNR'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/12/07/stories/2007120751320600.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208132554/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/12/07/stories/2007120751320600.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 December 2007 |work=[[The Hindu]] |title=The Emperor passes|date= 7 December 2007}}</ref> was an Indian [[Carnatic music]]ian, [[Nagaswaram|nadaswaram]] ''maestro'', vocalist and film actor.<ref>{{cite book|author=Vijaya Ramaswamy, Jawaharlal Nehru University|title=Historical Dictionary of the Tamils|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H4q0DHGMcjEC|date=2007|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-6445-0|page=160}}</ref> He was popularly known as "Nadaswara Chakravarthi" (literally, the Emperor of Nadaswaram)he is also guru of '''[[Karukurichi Arunachalam]]'''
'''Thirumarugal Natesapillai Rajarathinam Pillai''' (27 August 1898 – 12 December 1956) or '''TNR'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/12/07/stories/2007120751320600.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208132554/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/12/07/stories/2007120751320600.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 December 2007 |work=[[The Hindu]] |title=The Emperor passes|date= 7 December 2007}}</ref> was an Indian [[Carnatic music]]ian, [[Nagaswaram|nadaswaram]] ''maestro'', vocalist and film actor.<ref>{{cite book|author=Vijaya Ramaswamy, Jawaharlal Nehru University|title=Historical Dictionary of the Tamils|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H4q0DHGMcjEC|date=2007|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-6445-0|page=160}}</ref> He was popularly known as "Nadaswara Chakravarthi" (literally, the Emperor of Nadaswaram).


== Personal life ==
== Film career ==
{{Refimprove section|date=April 2018}}
He featured in the main role as the 16th century Tamil poet [[Kalamegam]] in the 1940 film ''[[Kalamegam (film)|Kalamegam]]''.<ref>[https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/kalamegham-1940/article3023815.ece Blast From the Past - Kalamegham 1940, The Hindu 21 September 2007]</ref> He also appeared briefly as a Nadhaswaram player in the film [[Thiruneelakantar (1939 film)]].<ref>[http://raja1630.tripod.com/id2.html M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Filmography]</ref>
Rajarathinam Pillai was born Balasubramanian to his parents, Kuppuswami Pillai and Govindammal at [[Thiruvaduthurai]] in [[Thanjavur district|Thanjavur]] District in South India.<ref>V Ramnarayan (21 June 2012) [https://web.archive.org/web/20140202234810/http://kutcheris.com/article.php?id=2012 TN Rajarathnam Pillai (1898–1956)]. kutcheris.com</ref> His father was an exponent of Carnatic music. He was given in adoption to his uncle Thirumarugal Natesa Pillai, who was his guru initially<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carnatica.net/artiste/rajaratnampillai.htm |title=T N Rajaratnam Pillai |publisher=Carnatica.net |date= |accessdate=1 December 2016}}</ref> and a nagaswaram player who was regarded as an exponent of [[raga]] improvisation/ elaboration, and took his initials and the name Rajarathnam from then on.
 
Rajarathnam Pillai married five times and died without issue. Contrary to the prevailing norms of dress for nadaswaram players, who, as temple servants, would dress humbly, Pillai often appeared in concerts wearing shirt and trousers or, on occasions, wore the dress favored by the [[Hindustani classical music|Hindustani]] musicians.
 
== Career ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2018}}
Rajarathnam Pillai received his musical training under the noted Carnatic violinist, Thirukodikaval Krishnaiyer and learnt nadaswaram from Ammachatram Kannuswami Pillai, an eminent musician.  He started giving vocal concerts and moved to giving concerts on nadaswaram on the advice of the pontiff of the [[Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam]]. In a short time, Rajarathnam was made a nadaswaram player in the temple at Thiruvaduthurai. It is said that his unique style attracted many visitors to the morning prayers in the temple where he played a [[raga]], [[Bhupalam]], (that suits the morning hours) with the dexterity and originality of a veteran artiste. He grew to become a well known and sought-after concert player and gave a very large number of concerts live as well as over the radio. He acted in the lead role in the Tamil movie, [[Kalamegam]], directed by [[Ellis R. Dungan|Ellis R Dungan]] (released in 1940). His fame as an outstanding practitioner of nadaswaram music has overshadowed his talent as a vocalist.
 
During his musical career, Rajarathnam Pillai was known for his improvisations of ragas that could last several hours. He was particularly known for his improvisation/elaboration of the raga, [[Todi (raga)|Todi]]. His rendering of compositions in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]] or [[Sanskrit]] was considered to be flawless. His immense knowledge of [[Tala (music)|tempo in Indian music]] is also widely recognised.
 
===Film career===
He featured in the main role as the 16th century Tamil poet [[Kalamegam]].<ref>[https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/kalamegham-1940/article3023815.ece Blast From the Past - Kalamegham 1940, The Hindu 21 September 2007]</ref> He also appeared briefly as a Nadhaswaram player in the film [[Thiruneelakantar (1939 film)]].<ref>[http://raja1630.tripod.com/id2.html M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Filmography]</ref>
 
== Influence on Carnatic Music ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2018}}
Rajarathnam Pillai took a number of younger nadaswaram players as his accompanists. Some of them, such as Kuzhikarai Pichaiyappa, and Thiruvarur Latchappa, became highly regarded exponents of nadaswaram on their own. Famous [[thavil]] players, such as Needamangalam Meenakshisundaram Pillai often gave him the [[Tempo|laya]] support. In a departure from the tradition, Rajarathnam Pillai had used violin as an accompaniment. The influence of his style as instrumentalist on vocalists in Carnatic music, such as [[Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer]] is also well known and is considered to be rare.


== Titles, honors and service ==
== Titles, honors and service ==


Rajarathnam Pillai was a recipient of many titles, none of them official or academic. He was popularly known as ''Nadaswara Chakravarthi'' meaning Emperor of Nagaswaram.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2007/01/14/stories/2007011400070200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070117105721/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2007/01/14/stories/2007011400070200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 January 2007 |work=[[The Hindu]] |title=Reader-friendly approach |date= 14 January 2007}}</ref> He is believed to have promoted nadaswaram and tavil players for recognition as musicians in their own right and it is thought that his lead was recognised when the [[Madras Music Academy]] conferred the title of ''Sangeetha Kalanidhi'' (doctor of music) on fellow [[nagaswaram]] exponent Thiruvizhimizhalai Subramania Pillai in 1956. In spite of his fame and following, there is no formal or official account of his life readily available in Tamil or another language.
Rajarathnam Pillai was a recipient of many titles, none of them official or academic. He was popularly known as ''Nadaswara Chakravarthi'' meaning Emperor of Nagaswaram.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2007/01/14/stories/2007011400070200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070117105721/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2007/01/14/stories/2007011400070200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 January 2007 |work=[[The Hindu]] |title=Reader-friendly approach |date= 14 January 2007}}</ref> He is believed to have promoted nadaswaram and tavil players for recognition as musicians in their own right and it is thought that his lead was recognised when the [[Madras Music Academy]] conferred the title of ''[[Sangita Kalanidhi|Sangeetha Kalanidhi]]'' (doctor of music) on fellow [[nagaswaram]] exponent [[Thiruvizhimizhalai Subramania Pillai]] in 1956. In spite of his fame and following, there is no formal or official account of his life readily available in Tamil or another language.{{citation needed|date= October 2022}}


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q942zQsnoY&pp=ygU3Ik5BVEhBU1dBUkEgT1NBSVlJTEUgRG9jdW1lbnRhcnkgYWJvdXQgVE4gUmFqYXJhdGhpbmFtIg%3D%3D NATHASWARA OSAIYILE Documentary about TN Rajarathinam]
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:1898 births]]
[[Category:1898 births]]
[[Category:1956 deaths]]
[[Category:1956 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Tiruvarur district]]
[[Category:Male Carnatic singers]]
[[Category:Male Carnatic singers]]
[[Category:Carnatic singers]]
[[Category:Tamil musicians]]
[[Category:Tamil musicians]]
[[Category:Nadaswaram players]]
[[Category:Nadaswaram players]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male singers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]]
[[Category:People from Mayiladuthurai district]]

Latest revision as of 08:25, 20 December 2025

For other uses, see Rajaratnam.
T. N. Rajarathnam Pillai
Rajarathnam Pillai on a 2010 stamp of India.jpg
Rajarathnam Pillai on a 2010 stamp of India.jpg
Background information
Birth nameBalasubramaniam
Also known asTNR
Born(1898-08-27)27 August 1898
Thiruvaduthurai,
Mayiladuthurai district,
Madras Presidency,
British India
(now Tamil Nadu, India)
Died12 December 1956(1956-12-12) (aged 58)
Madras, Madras State
(now Chennai, Tamil Nadu), India
GenresCarnatic music
OccupationsNadaswaram Performer
InstrumentsNadaswaram
Years active32

Thirumarugal Natesapillai Rajarathinam Pillai (27 August 1898 – 12 December 1956) or TNR[1] was an Indian Carnatic musician, nadaswaram maestro, vocalist and film actor.[2] He was popularly known as "Nadaswara Chakravarthi" (literally, the Emperor of Nadaswaram).

Film career[edit | edit source]

He featured in the main role as the 16th century Tamil poet Kalamegam in the 1940 film Kalamegam.[3] He also appeared briefly as a Nadhaswaram player in the film Thiruneelakantar (1939 film).[4]

Titles, honors and service[edit | edit source]

Rajarathnam Pillai was a recipient of many titles, none of them official or academic. He was popularly known as Nadaswara Chakravarthi meaning Emperor of Nagaswaram.[5] He is believed to have promoted nadaswaram and tavil players for recognition as musicians in their own right and it is thought that his lead was recognised when the Madras Music Academy conferred the title of Sangeetha Kalanidhi (doctor of music) on fellow nagaswaram exponent Thiruvizhimizhalai Subramania Pillai in 1956. In spite of his fame and following, there is no formal or official account of his life readily available in Tamil or another language.[citation needed]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "The Emperor passes". The Hindu. 7 December 2007. Archived from the original on 8 December 2007.
  2. ↑ Vijaya Ramaswamy, Jawaharlal Nehru University (2007). Historical Dictionary of the Tamils. Scarecrow Press. p. 160. ISBN 978-0-8108-6445-0.
  3. ↑ Blast From the Past - Kalamegham 1940, The Hindu 21 September 2007
  4. ↑ M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Filmography
  5. ↑ "Reader-friendly approach". The Hindu. 14 January 2007. Archived from the original on 17 January 2007.

External links[edit | edit source]

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