Tirumakudalu Chowdiah

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Tirumakudalu Chowdiah (1895 - 19 January 1967) was a violin maestro from India in the Carnatic classical tradition.

[edit] Contribution

He designed the seven-stringed violin to ensure that the accompanist could match the vocalist (the need for this was felt especially in the early and mid-20th century when no amplification devices were available). He was known as Pitelu (also spelt as Fidelu and Phidelu) Chowdiah - Pitelu being the word for violin in South Indian languages such as Kannada and Telugu. As he hailed from Mysore, he was also known as Mysore T. Chowdiah.

He was awarded the Sangeetha Kalanidhi title by Madras Music Academy in 1957.

To honour the memory of his Guru, he completed the Bidaram Krishnappa Rama Mandira in Mysore as Bidram Krishnappa died before realisng his dream on which he had spent all his fortune.

[edit] Legacy

Chowdiah Memorial Hall at Bangalore, constructed with the support of the Karnataka state government in his memory in 1980, resembles a violin in shape and structure.
Sangeetha Rathna Mysore T. Chowdiah Memorial Award has been instituted to honour notable musicians.
A road in Bangalore is named after him as T. Chowdiah Road.

Noted Film actor and Member of Parliament and currently Minister for state of Government of India Mr.Ambarsih ( Mr.Amaranath) is his grand son.

Sangeetha Kalarathna Prof. Mysore Sri V. Ramarathnam, Retd. Principal and Professor of Vocal Music, University of Mysore, India, author and composer[[1]] is one Chowdiah's prime desciples.