Ramanathapuram C. S. Murugabhoopathy (14 February 1914 – 21 March 1998), popularly referred to as CSM, was one of the most distinguished Mridanga maestros of the 20th century. He was a contemporary of Palghat Mani Iyer (1912–1981) and Palani Subramania Pillai (1908–1962).[1] The three legends are revered as the "Holy Trinity of Mridanga".[1]
Born in the town of Ramanathapuram (also known as Ramnad) in Tamil Nadu, Murugabhoopathy obtained his early lessons in Mridanga from his father Chitsabai Servai (also Sirchabai Servai)[2] and later on from Palani Muttiah Pillai (the father of Palani Subramania Pillai), both of whom were students of the great Pudukottai Manpoondia Pillai (read as Maamudia Pillai). Murugabhoopathy's elder brother C. S. Sankarasivam Bhagavatar was a strong influence in the development of Murugabhoopathy's musical style.[2][3] A young CSM picked up many tips from legendary percussionists including Kumbhakonam Azhaganambi Pillai, who taught him some intricate techniques of playing with his left hand.[1]
CSM improvised the left hand playing technique with innovative movements of split fingers.[1] He was renowned for his unmatched sense of pitch, tonal purity and meaningful silent pauses while following the main artiste. Clarity even during very high speed renditions was one of the hallmarks of his thani aavarthanes (solos). CSM also developed many unique patterns and lessons and established a new playing style. Some of his notable students include Mavilekkara Shankarakutty Nair, Karaikudi Krishnamurthy (Singapore & London), Kumbakonam Premkumar (AIR Delhi), and B. Druvaraj (Bangalore). His most famous student was the Khanjira wizard G. Harishankar (AIR Madras).[1][2] The Mridanga trinity influenced one another and drew inspiration by listening to one another. It is a fact that Palani Subramania Pillia, who rarely played the Khanjira in live concerts (although he was extremely good at it), played on a Khanjira only with two Mridangists. One of course was Palghat Mani Iyer and the other was C S Murugabhoopathy.[8]
Referencesedit
^ abcdefgRamanathapuram C S Murugabhoopathy: The Last of the Titans, an Obituary by K S Kalidas, May 1998. Shruti, 164: 15-16.
^ abcdN. Scott Robinson. "South Indian Percussionist Page". nscottrobinson.com. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
^ abcPublication of the Percussive Arts Centre, Bangalore
^An interview of Ramathapuram C S Murugabhoopathy published in the music magazine Shruti, July 1985 (issue 17 S, page 6)
^A radio interview of Ramanathapuram C S Murugabhoopathy conducted by Mr Subramanya Deshikar (AIR Madras)
^. Sangeet Natak Akademi, http://www.sangeetnatak.org/. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2011. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
^A radio interview of Trichy Sankaran, speaking on Palani Subramania Pillai
May 01, 2024
ramanathapuram, murugabhoopathy, february, 1914, march, 1998, popularly, referred, most, distinguished, mridanga, maestros, 20th, century, contemporary, palghat, mani, iyer, 1912, 1981, palani, subramania, pillai, 1908, 1962, three, legends, revered, holy, tri. Ramanathapuram C S Murugabhoopathy 14 February 1914 21 March 1998 popularly referred to as CSM was one of the most distinguished Mridanga maestros of the 20th century He was a contemporary of Palghat Mani Iyer 1912 1981 and Palani Subramania Pillai 1908 1962 1 The three legends are revered as the Holy Trinity of Mridanga 1 Ramanathapuram C S MurugabhoopathyBackground informationAlso known asCSM or Chellaswamy Sirchabai MurugabhoopathyBorn 1914 02 14 14 February 1914OriginIndiaDied21 March 1998 1998 03 21 aged 84 GenresIndian classical musicOccupation s Mridanga artistInstrument s Mridanga Contents 1 Early life 2 Major performances 3 Awards and recognition 4 Legacy 5 ReferencesEarly life editBorn in the town of Ramanathapuram also known as Ramnad in Tamil Nadu Murugabhoopathy obtained his early lessons in Mridanga from his father Chitsabai Servai also Sirchabai Servai 2 and later on from Palani Muttiah Pillai the father of Palani Subramania Pillai both of whom were students of the great Pudukottai Manpoondia Pillai read as Maamudia Pillai Murugabhoopathy s elder brother C S Sankarasivam Bhagavatar was a strong influence in the development of Murugabhoopathy s musical style 2 3 A young CSM picked up many tips from legendary percussionists including Kumbhakonam Azhaganambi Pillai who taught him some intricate techniques of playing with his left hand 1 Major performances editMurugabhoopathy accompanied many carnatic stalwarts such as Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar Chittoor Subramania Pillai Musiri Subramania Iyer and Dandapani Desikar CSM benefited a lot from the generous promotion and support given by Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar and Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer 1 4 5 He later on played alongside G N Balasubramaniam Madurai Mani Iyer M K Thyagaraja bhagavathar Dr M Balamuralikrishna M D Ramanathan Ramnad Krishnan T M Thiagarajan Maharajapuram Santhanam Madurai Somasundaram Madurai T N Sheshgopalan T R Mahalingam flute Mysore V Doreswamy Iyengar veena Tirumakudalu Chowdiah violin T N Krishnan violin Lalgudi Jayaraman violin and other leading musicians in many concerts 1 3 Awards and recognition editKalaimamani 1963 Padma Shri 1973 2 6 Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award 1975 7 State Artist of Tamil Nadu 1979 Palghat Mani Iyer Award 1985 3 Legacy editCSM improvised the left hand playing technique with innovative movements of split fingers 1 He was renowned for his unmatched sense of pitch tonal purity and meaningful silent pauses while following the main artiste Clarity even during very high speed renditions was one of the hallmarks of his thani aavarthanes solos CSM also developed many unique patterns and lessons and established a new playing style Some of his notable students include Mavilekkara Shankarakutty Nair Karaikudi Krishnamurthy Singapore amp London Kumbakonam Premkumar AIR Delhi and B Druvaraj Bangalore His most famous student was the Khanjira wizard G Harishankar AIR Madras 1 2 The Mridanga trinity influenced one another and drew inspiration by listening to one another It is a fact that Palani Subramania Pillia who rarely played the Khanjira in live concerts although he was extremely good at it played on a Khanjira only with two Mridangists One of course was Palghat Mani Iyer and the other was C S Murugabhoopathy 8 References edit a b c d e f g Ramanathapuram C S Murugabhoopathy The Last of the Titans an Obituary by K S Kalidas May 1998 Shruti 164 15 16 a b c d N Scott Robinson South Indian Percussionist Page nscottrobinson com Retrieved 16 March 2011 a b c Publication of the Percussive Arts Centre Bangalore An interview of Ramathapuram C S Murugabhoopathy published in the music magazine Shruti July 1985 issue 17 S page 6 A radio interview of Ramanathapuram C S Murugabhoopathy conducted by Mr Subramanya Deshikar AIR Madras Padma Awards Directory 1954 2009 PDF Ministry of Home Affairs Archived from the original PDF on 10 May 2013 Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar Akademi Awards list of Awardees Sangeet Natak Akademi http www sangeetnatak org Archived from the original on 17 February 2012 Retrieved 16 March 2011 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a External link in code class cs1 code publisher code help A radio interview of Trichy Sankaran speaking on Palani Subramania Pillai Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ramanathapuram C S Murugabhoopathy amp oldid 1153271895, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
