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|death_place = [[Madras]], [[Tamil Nadu State]], India | |death_place = [[Madras]], [[Tamil Nadu State]], India | ||
|years_active = | |years_active = | ||
|genre = [[Carnatic music|Carnatic music – | |genre = [[Carnatic music|Carnatic music – www.abhijaanaathi.com]] | ||
|label = | |label = | ||
}} | }} | ||
[[File:Semmangudi R. Srinivasa Iyer awarded by President Rajendra Prasad.jpg|thumb|Iyer receiving [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award|Sangeet Natak Academy award]] in 1953]] | [[File:Semmangudi R. Srinivasa Iyer awarded by President Rajendra Prasad.jpg|thumb|Iyer receiving [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award|Sangeet Natak Academy award]] in 1953]] | ||
'''Semmangudi Radhakrishna Srinivasa Iyer''' (25 July 1908 – 31 October 2003) was an Indian [[Carnatic Music|Carnatic]] vocalist. He, | '''Semmangudi Radhakrishna Srinivasa Iyer''' (25 July 1908 – 31 October 2003) was an Indian [[Carnatic Music|Carnatic]] vocalist. He, and his two contemporaries [[G.N. Balasubramaniam]] and [[Madurai Mani Iyer]], are together referred to as the 20th century male trinity of Carnatic music. He was the youngest recipient of the [[Sangeetha Kalanidhi]] awarded by the Music Academy in 1947<ref>[http://www.carnaticcorner.com/articles/semmangudi.html Article by Mohan Ayyar]</ref> and has received many awards including [[Padma Bhushan]] and [[Padma Vibhushan]] from the [[Government of India]],<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web | url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf | title=Padma Awards | publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India | date=2015 | access-date=July 21, 2015}}</ref> [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award|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.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20031120173647/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2003/11/07/stories/2003110701170400.htm Article-The Hindu]</ref> He was also considered the "Pitamaha" or the grand sire of modern [[Carnatic Music]].<ref name="The Hindu-Article">{{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20070225051219/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2023/stories/20031121006913100.htm The Hindu-Article]}}</ref> He was conferred with an [[honorary doctorate]] by [[University of Kerala]] in 1979.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hindu.com/2003/03/29/stories/2003032903810400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004163817/http://hindu.com/2003/03/29/stories/2003032903810400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 October 2012|title=D.Litt for Yesudas after Muthia and Semmangudi from Kerala University | location=Chennai, India |work=[[The Hindu]]|date=29 March 2003}}</ref> | ||
==Early life and training== | ==Early life and training== | ||
He was born in [[Tirukkodikaval]], [[Tanjore district]] as the third son of Radhakrishna Iyer and Dharmasamvardhini Ammal. He lived with his maternal uncle [[Tirukkodikaval Krishna Iyer]], a violin maestro, until the age of four and after his death, moved back to his parents' home in [[Semmangudi]], [[Tiruvarur 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 [[varnam]]s and [[Kriti|keerthanams]]. Then he had a musical apprenticeship with [[Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer]]. In 1926, he performed his first music recital at [[Kumbakonam]].<ref>[http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2003/11/01/stories/2003110105530100.htm Article-The Hindu]</ref> In 1927 gave a concert in the [[Chennai|Madras]] session of [[Indian National Congress]], another event considered by Semmangudi 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 born in [[Tirukkodikaval]], [[Tanjore district]] as the third son of Radhakrishna Iyer and Dharmasamvardhini Ammal. He lived with his maternal uncle [[Tirukkodikaval Krishna Iyer]], a violin maestro, until the age of four and after his death, moved back to his parents' home in [[Semmangudi]], [[Tiruvarur 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 [[varnam]]s and [[Kriti (music)|keerthanams]]. Then he had a musical apprenticeship with [[Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer]]. In 1926, he performed his first music recital at [[Kumbakonam]].<ref>{{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20041128202119/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2003/11/01/stories/2003110105530100.htm Article-The Hindu]}}</ref> In 1927 gave a concert in the [[Chennai|Madras]] session of [[Indian National Congress]], another event considered by Semmangudi 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 [[Muthiah Bhagavathar|Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar]], for the work on the [[krithi]]s of [[Maharaja]] [[Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma]].<ref name="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. He gave public concerts even after the age of 90. | He was instrumental, along with [[Muthiah Bhagavathar|Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar]], for the work on the [[krithi]]s of [[Maharaja]] [[Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma]].<ref name="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. He gave public concerts even after the age of 90. | ||
==Concert | ==Concert performances== | ||
{{Fanpov|date=October 2015}} | {{Fanpov|date=October 2015}} | ||
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 [[krithi]]s, [[Ragam|raagas]] and duration.{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}} He was also widely acknowledged as a master of improvisation, particularly in the form of [[niraval]]s.{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}} | 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 [[krithi]]s, [[Ragam|raagas]] and duration.{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}} He was also widely acknowledged as a master of improvisation, particularly in the form of [[niraval]]s.{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}} | ||
Semmangudi was noted for his choice of songs, speed in rendering swarams and his ability to combine choice and speed with Bhakti. Some most memorable concerts over the years had geniuses in mirudangam and violin in accompaniment, including [[Palghat Mani Iyer]], [[Palghat R Raghu]], [[Mavelikkara Velukkutty Nair]], [[Karaikudi Mani]], [[Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman]], [[Lalgudi Jayaraman]], Nagercoil S Harihara Iyer, [[T. N. Krishnan]], [[Nagercoil S.Ganesa Iyer]], [[Trichy Sankaran]], [[Guruvayur Dorai]], [[T S Nandakumar]] and [[Vellore G. Ramabhadran]]. Some of his very famous renditions of | Semmangudi was noted for his choice of songs, speed in rendering swarams and his ability to combine choice and speed with Bhakti. Some most memorable concerts over the years had geniuses in mirudangam and violin in accompaniment, including [[Palghat Mani Iyer]], [[Palghat R Raghu]], [[Mavelikkara Velukkutty Nair]], [[Karaikudi Mani]], [[Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman]], [[Lalgudi Jayaraman]], Nagercoil S Harihara Iyer, [[T. N. Krishnan]], [[Nagercoil S.Ganesa Iyer]], [[Trichy Sankaran]], [[Guruvayur Dorai]], [[T S Nandakumar]] and [[Vellore G. Ramabhadran]]. Some of his very famous renditions of kritis included [[Marubalka]] in [[Sri Ranjani]] raga, [[Chakkani Raja Margamu]] in [[Kharaharapriya]], etc. | ||
==Voice== | ==Voice== | ||
Semmangudi was well known for his uncharacteristically nasal voice in an era when practically every prominent Carnatic singer had an impeccable voice.<ref> | Semmangudi was well known for his uncharacteristically nasal voice in an era when practically every prominent Carnatic singer had an impeccable voice.<ref>{{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20050120102635/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1522/15220650.htm Interview in Frontline, Issue Dated 24-Oct-1998]}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20070225051219/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2023/stories/20031121006913100.htm Article -The Hindu]}}</ref> 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 Music|Carnatic]] world.{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}} | ||
His singing style has been widely followed, and his prominent disciples include [[Sangeetha Kalanidhi]]s, [[M. S. Subbulakshmi]] and her stepdaughter [[Radha Viswanathan]], [[T. M. | His singing style has been widely followed, and his prominent disciples include [[Sangeetha Kalanidhi]]s, [[M. S. Subbulakshmi]] and her stepdaughter [[Radha Viswanathan]], [[T. M. Thiagarajan]], and violinist Prof. [[T. N. Krishnan]]. His senior disciples include [[Parassala B. Ponnammal | Smt Parassala Ponnammal]], Trivandrum G Seethalakshmi Ammal, [[Palai C. K. Ramachandran]], Smt. Seetha Rajan, Mavelikkara Prabhakara Varma, Prof. Kumara Kerala Varma, [[P. S. Narayanaswamy]], Vaigal S.Gnanaskandhan, V. Subramaniam (a.k.a. Rajamani), Sri K. R. Kedaranathan, Smt. Meera Kedaranathan, Kadayanallur Venkataraman, V. R. Krishnan, Smt. Seethalakshmi Venkatesan, [http://www.shanmukhananda.com/Music%20School.html Smt. Radha Namboodri], Smt. Visalakshi Ramachandran. | ||
==Family== | ==Family== | ||
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* Grand Children – Jayaraman, Hariharan, Sreeraman, Lakshmanan, Yoga, Bala, Padma, Anandhi, Sankar, Jayashree, Srinivas, Vivekanandan, Vidya, Jagannath | * Grand Children – Jayaraman, Hariharan, Sreeraman, Lakshmanan, Yoga, Bala, Padma, Anandhi, Sankar, Jayashree, Srinivas, Vivekanandan, Vidya, Jagannath | ||
All his music and his notations are being digitized and it is available in the portal www.abhijaanaathi.com. Notations can be downloaded by Rasikas for free. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
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[[Category:People from Thanjavur district]] | [[Category:People from Thanjavur district]] | ||
[[Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship]] | [[Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship]] | ||
[[Category:20th-century Indian singers]] | [[Category:20th-century Indian male classical singers]] | ||
[[Category:Singers from Tamil Nadu]] | [[Category:Singers from Tamil Nadu]] | ||