N. S. Ramachandran
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Professor N. S. Ramachandran (born ?, 1908) was one of the leading composers of Carnatic music. His family roots can be traced back to a small village in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu called Nemam in Tanjore district. His Grandfather Sri Nemam Subramanya Iyer had the privilege of being a direct disciple of the great Sri Tyagaraja Tyagaraja (Telugu: శ్రీ త్యాగరాజ; d. 1848; also spelled Thyagaraja). The art of music that he learnt has been passed down through the generations from him. There are many references to him in musical literature like Gayaka Siddhajanam, Part 2 published in 1905 by the renowned Tachur Brothers, and Karunamrita Sagaram, an outstanding work in the realm of Indian musicology published by Rao Sahib Abraham Panditar.
Nemam Subramanya Iyer extensively toured the country and he was honoured by several royal patrons including the ruler of Mysore and Travancore, the Zamorins of Kozhikode, the Raja of Nilambur, the Raja of Kollangode and the Princes of many other kingdoms of South India. Sri Manik Varma, Maharaja of Kozhikode (Calicut) has composed a sloka in Sanskrit, in praise of Nemam Subramanya Iyer. This sloka is now sung as a kriti in raga Kapi set to Adi tala. Professor P Sambamoorthy in his book Great Composers, Volume II has given detailied biographical information about Nemam Subramanya Iyer.
At the young age of 31, Professor Ramachandran wrote the book, Ragas of Karnatic Music, a monumental work showing considerable research and erudition which earned praise from Sir C V Raman, the eminent scientist and Nobel laureate.
Professor Ramachandran served as the Station Director of All India Radio (AIR) in several stations, and later he became the Chief Producer of Carnatic music in the Directorate General of All India Radio, New Delhi. He was also appointed as the Dean of the faculty of music in Delhi University.
He also was deputed by the Union Government under the Colombo plan, as an advisor to the Ceylonese Government Sri Lanka to study the working of the Radio Ceylon, and advise on the planning and organisation of the Tamil programs on Ceylon Radio. He brought out revolutionary changes in the Ceylon Broadcasting system, dividing commercial broadcasts and general broadcasts separately. The Ceylonese Government was greatly appreciative for his expertise and valuable contribution.
Professor Ramachandran was a gifted Veena Vidwan who gave many concerts in AIR. He was affectionately called ganalola (one who loves music), by music lovers of South India. His admirers included great vainikas like Veena S Balachander and Karaikudi Sambasiva Iyer. As a musicologist and composer, he composed more than 200 songs in 3 languages, namely, Tamil, Telugu and Sanskrit. These were rendered by top-notch musicians like Dr. M L Vasantakumari, M S Subbulakshmi, Maharajapuram Santanam, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer etc. They have also been brought out in book format, in a volume called SANGEETA PUSHPANJALI. Vol. I. in 1968 and was acclaimed as one of the best works by musicologists, musicians and critics.
The state government of Tamilnadu recognized his achievements and awarded him the prestigious State Award, Kalaimamani in 1971. His name, along with his grandfather's has been included in America's popular Who is Who. Similarly, the Sahitya Academy and Sangeet Natak Academy have released a Who is Who, including the names of Professor N.S. Ramachandran and Nemam Subramanya Iyer along with other illustrious musicians of India.
