madurai mani iyers

MADURAI MANI IYER’S 105TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS ON THIS DAY.

MADURAI MANI IYER’S 105TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS ON THIS DAY. 

S. Subramanian popularly known as Madurai Mani Iyer (MMI) was born to Sri. RamaswamyIyer and Smt. Subbulakshmi in Madurai on October 25, 1912. His father was a great connoisseur of Carnatic music and his uncle Madurai PushpavanamIyer ruled the Carnatic world during the first two decades of twentieth Century. Born in such a distinguished musical background, Mani Iyer took to Carnatic music with ease.

His first Guru was Rajam Bhagavathar then he was under the tutelage of Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar who took special care to Shape Mani Iyer’s voice and imparted the knowledge of Sruthi Shuddham.

madurai mani iyers
madurai mani iyers

MMI who performed his maiden concert at the age of 12 started performing in most of the temples in and around Madurai & he had created a unique style in Carnatic music and became one of the most popular Carnatic musicians of his era. He was known for his impeccable sruthishuddham, unconventional handling of Raga Alapanas and brilliant Sarvalaghuswaras. He was also well known for his handling of Rare Ragas which he has popularized like Kannadagowlai, KapiNarayani, Vachaspathi, Charukesi, Gowdamalhar etc.

He had contributed immensely to Tamil isai. Many Papanasam Sivan’s Tamil compositions like “KaanKannKodivendum”, “Kapali” etc were made popular only by him. He was part and parcel of Tamil Isai sangam since its inception in 1941. The tukkuda items (short pieces) at the end of his concerts were eagerly awaited and generally comprised of Tamil songs like “EppoVaruvaro” and “Kandan Karunaipuriyum”. Many accolades came his way including Ganakaladhara title (1943), Sangeetha Kalanidhi (1959), Sangeet Natak Akademi award (1960) and Isai Perignar Title (1963). Having been as pitch perfect in life as in music, MMI’s life was snatched away by cruel fate on June 8th 1968, at his young age of 55 thus depriving us of his warmth, affection & rich cultural contributions.

On this day Chief Guest Sangeetha Kalinidhi T.K. Murthy will be felicitated and he will speak about Mani Iyer along with Cleveland Sri V.V. Sundaram Anchors Sri. Lalitha Ram and V.Vishnuramprasad will play assorted audio clips of Mani Iyer’s music and explain the technicalities and nuances adopted by Mani Iyer in each of those particular clips. Since Dr. T.K. Murthy had accompanied Mani Iyer, some of these chosen excerpts will be from concerts in which Dr. T.K. Murthy had Provided Mridangam Support to Mani Iyer.

It has been widely reported that once on Kanchi Chandrasekarendra Paramachariyar’s Chennai camp visit he had himself made a personal visit to MMI’s house at Mylapore to hear his melodious singing.

Date: Sunday 23.10.2016
Time : 3.30 PM to 7.30 PM
Venue: P.S.Hr. Sec. School’s, Vivekanandha Hall, Mylapore

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