Mudicondan Venkatarama Iyer

Mudikondan Venkatrama Iyer
Born 15 October 1897
Mudicondan, Tiruvarur district, Tamilnadu
Died September 13, 1975(1975-09-13) (aged 77)
Chennai, Tamilnadu
Occupation vocalist
Parent(s) Chakrapani Iyer, Kamakshi

Mudikondan Venkatarama Iyer (Tamil: முடிகொண்டான் வெங்கடராம ஐயர் October 15, 1897 - September 13, 1975) was a South Indian Carnatic music singer and musicologist. He was also known as Mudikondan - the name of his native village.[1]

Background

Venkatarama Iyer was born in Mudicondan, a small village in the Nannilam taluk of Tiruvarur district in Tamil Nadu, India[2] to parents Chakrapani lyer and Kamakshi. His father was a singer of Hindu religious hymns while his maternal grandfather Srivanchiyam Swaminatha lyer rendered padams and javalis with lilt that earned him the pet name 'talukku' Swaminatha Iyer.[1] His uncle Bommalattam Mani Iyer was also a famous musician.[3]

Education

Mudicondan's father wanted him to learn English, so he went to College in Chennai (then called Madras) after school. However, his father died, which forced him to leave college and return to his village. He then decided to receive formal training in Carnatic music. He furthered his education with help from Konerirajapuram Vaidyanatha Iyer. He learned tala and laya from a 'Tavil Vidwan' known as Ammachatram Kandaswami Pillai. Simizhi Sundaram Iyer taught him the bhava aspect.[1] Swaminatha Iyer came from Saint Tyagaraja's lineage while Sundaram Iyer was from Muthuswami Dikshitar's lineage. This ensured that Mudicondan acquired a very rich repertoire of Krithis.

He also spoke many languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Sanskrit and English, had a working knowledge of Astrology and, Ayurveda, and frequently prepared herbal medicines at home.[3]

Music career

His inaugural concert took place at Cuddalore when he was 17 years old. In 1919, he performed his first concert in Chennai under the auspices of the Mylapore Sangeetha Sabha.

Mudicondan was an expert in rendering Ragam Thanam Pallavi. He had information at his finger tips. When anyone wanted to clear a doubt, he could explain without referring to any book. He would answer the dispute without ambiguity.[3] He lived in his native village and taught students there.

The Hindu newspaper reported that Mudicondan was "A great debater on the nuances of music and he used to explain in a remarkable way even obscure points." From 1935 onward he regularly attended the Madras Music Academy's annual conference. He was an expert on both Lakshana and Lakshya aspects of the Carnatic music. He explained the correct way of rendering niraval, ragam, tanam and pallavi. Dr. V. Raghavan, President of the Music Academy successfully convinced him to move to Chennai. Mudicondan moved to Chennai in 1948 and thereafter took a very active role in the Academy's activities. He was appointed Vice-Principal of the Teachers' College of Music. He became its Principal in 1956.[1] He published many articles from time to time. They have been reproduced in the Souvenir Publication of Chennai Music Academy.[4]

According to The Hindu, his lecture and demonstrations at the annual conferences of the Music Academy were well-attended by scholars, students, and professionals. In 1952 he gave a presentation of a pallavi in Simhanandana Tala that made waves (128 aksharas).[1] He retired from the Teachers' College of Music in 1972, but continued there as an Honorary Professor.[1]

Awards

Death

After a short illness, Mudicondan died on September 13, 1975 in Chennai. He was 78.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 The Master from Mudikondan by Sriram Venkatakrishnan
  2. ↑ Mudicondan locality
  3. 1 2 3 Interview by R. Vedavalli to Podhigai TV
  4. ↑ Index of Articles in Souvenir
  5. ↑ Recipients of Sangita Kalanidhi
  6. ↑ SNA Awardees list
  7. ↑ AWARDEES OF SANGEETHA KALASIKHAMANI
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