Pithukuli Murugadas

Pithukuli Murugadas
Born Balasubramanian
(1929-01-25)January 25, 1929
Coimbatore, Tamilnadu
Died November 17, 2015(2015-11-17) (aged 86)
Occupation singer
Parent(s) Sundaram Iyer, Alamelu

Pithukuli Murugadas (25 January 1920 – 17 November 2015)[1] was a religious singer from Tamil Nadu. He was best known for his compositions on the Hindu deity Murugan.

Life

Pithukuli Murugadas was born as Balasubramanian in Coimbatore to Alamelu and Sundaram Iyer in a devout Brahmin family. At the age of seven, he went to practice yoga in Palani under the tutelage of Nadayogi Brahmananda Paradesiar. He was also called "Pittukuli" by his teacher. In 1931, at the age of eleven, he participated in the Salt Satyagraha campaign and spent some days in prison. During 1936, while participating in the nationwide Satyagraha to protest against the Jalianwalla Bagh massacre, he was imprisoned for six months. He was released later as Government's gesture on the occasion of the wedding of Mysore Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar.

In 1935, at the age of 15, he relinquished his house and started his pilgrimage. He began wandering around the country. In 1939, he visited Swami Ramdas and Mata Krishnabai of Anandashram. He was named as Murugadas by Swami Ramdas as he sang to Lord Murugan. In 1940, he spent a few days with Avadhudha Swami Swayam Prakash at Sendhamangalam and then went on a pilgrimage by foot and traveled throughout India. He learnt various renderings of Brahmananda Paradesiar and Ramana Maharishi.

In 1946, he joined Thirupugaz Mani in popularizing bhajans praising Muruga. After Independence in 1947, he became the patron of the orphanage known as Dhinabandhu Ashram at Walajapet. In 1978 he married Devi Saroja who is an accomplished artiste in dance, music, Tala Vadya and painting.

Awards

References

  1. ↑ "Devotional singer Pithukuli Murugadas passes away". State Times. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
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