M. D. Ramanathan

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

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[edit] 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.

[edit] Study 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Music Career

[edit] 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, Ananda Bhairavi, 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.

[edit] Compositions

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

Krithi Ragam Talam Language
Anaimakhkattanai Manirangu Misra Chapu Tamil
Aparadhamulellanu Gowrimanhohari Adi Telugu
Bhaja Bhaja Manuja Behag Adi Sanskrit
Bharatesanute Arabhi Misra Chapu Sanskrit
Brindavanaloka Kalyani Adi Telugu
Brochudaku Samayaide Begada Rupaka Telugu
Dandapani Ramapriya Rupaka Telugu
Dari Neevale Begada Rupaka Telugu
Dharmavathi Dharmavathi Rupaka Telugu
Durgadevi Sri Adi Sanskrit
Emdukichapalamu Purvikalyani Adi Tamil
Ennakutram cheideno Huseni Adi Tamil
Gajavadana Hamsadhwani Rupaka Sanskrit
Gurucharanam Kannada Adi Sanskrit
Guruvaram Bhaja Manasa Dhanyasi Rupakam Sanskrit
Hariyum Haranam Atana Rupakam Tamil

[edit] 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.

[edit] Death

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

[edit] 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.

[edit] References

[edit] External Links