Kumbakonam M Rajappa Iyer

Kumbakonam M Rajappa Iyer was a Mridangam Vidwan in the field of Carnatic music from India. He was born in 1916 at Kumbakonam to Muthuswamy Iyer and Sitalakshmi Ammal.[1]

Kumbakonam M Rajappa Iyer
Born8 October 1916
Kumbakonam, India
Died5 March 2007(2007-03-05) (aged 90)
GenresIndian classical
Occupation(s)Mridanga Vidwan
InstrumentsMridangam, Ghatam
Kumbakonam M Rajappa Iyer

Early life

Rajappa Iyer underwent "Gurukulavasam" under Kumbakonam Alaga Nambi Pillai.[2] After the demise of Pillai, Rajappa Iyer pursued a Mridangam education with Sakkottai Rangu Iyengar.[3]

Career

Rajappa Iyer accompanied on Mridangam and Ghatam for stalwarts like Ariyakudi, Sivan, T. K. Rangachari, M. D. Ramanathan, Dr. Balamurali Krishna, Chittibabu, Lalgudi G Jayaraman, Ramani and many others apart from giving many lec-dems on mridangam and ghatam playing techniques.[1] Rajappa Iyer formulated unique style of teaching in which the lessons were systematically arranged with focus on fingering techniques. His style of Carnatic music is known as the "Rajappa Iyer School".[4]

Awards

Rajappa Iyer received many titles and honours:

  • Layavadya Kovidha[1]
  • Nadha Kanal[1]
  • Mridanga Laya Mani[1]
  • Sangeetha Seva Niratha[1]
  • DKJ Memorial award[1]
  • TTK Memorial award[1]
  • Sangeetha Kala Acharya from Music Academy (2001)[1][5]
  • Asthana Vidwan - Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam

Layodaya celebrated the Birth Centenary Celebrations of Rajappa Iyer on 6–8 October 2016 at Vani Mahal.[6]

Disciples

Rajappa Iyer has taught many popular Mridangam players. His disciples include well known professional artistes on the mridangam and ghatam: K R Ganesh (Son), Srimushnam Raja Rao, Papanasam R Kumar, S R Jayaraman, V Sundaraghavan, K Ramakrishnan, Balashankar, Umayalpuram Mali, Umayalpuram V. Kalyanaraman, Palani Kumar, B. Ganapathiraman, Vijay Siva, Manoj Siva, Shriram Brahmanandham, V Kalyanaraman, Chrompet J Ganesh,Vijayaganesh, V Srinivasan, Madipakkam Murali, Adambakkam Shankar, Kalakkadu Srinivasan and Chromepet Suresh, Suryanarayanan,Komal R Srinivas.[1]

References
  1. "Pedagogue par excellence". The Hindu. 6 January 2006. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  2. "Azhaganambi". Layaloka. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  3. "1958 Mridangam Vidvan Sakkottai Rangu Iyengar". www.musicacademymadras.in. Archived from the original on 1 October 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  4. "Rajappa Iyer remembered". The Hindu. 12 March 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  5. Sangita Kala Acharya, The Music Academy, Madras, accessed 9 November 2016 at http://www.musicacademymadras.in/awards/sangita-kala-acharya
  6. "Homage to mridangam guru". The Hindu. 21 October 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
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