Kumbakonam M. Rajappa Iyer was a
Mridangam
The mridangam is a percussion instrument of ancient origin. It is the primary rhythmic accompaniment in a Carnatic music ensemble. In Dhrupad, a modified version, the pakhawaj, is the primary percussion instrument. A related instrument is the ...
Vidwan in the field of
Carnatic music
Carnatic music, known as or in the Dravidian languages, South Indian languages, is a system of music commonly associated with South India, including the modern Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, an ...
from India. He was born in 1916 at Kumbakonam to Muthuswamy Iyer and Sitalakshmi Ammal.
Early life
Rajappa Iyer underwent "Gurukulavasam" under Kumbakonam Alaga Nambi Pillai.
After the demise of Pillai, Rajappa Iyer pursued a Mridangam education with Sakkottai Rangu Iyengar.
Career
Rajappa Iyer accompanied on Mridangam and Ghatam for stalwarts like
Ariyakudi,
Sivan
''Sivan'' (Hebrew: סִיוָן, Standard ''Sīvan'', Tiberian ''Sīwān''; from Akkadian ''simānu'', meaning "Season; time") is the ninth month of the civil year and the third month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew calendar. It is a mo ...
, 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.
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".
Awards
Rajappa Iyer received many titles and honours:
* Layavadya Kovidha
* Nadha Kanal
* Mridanga Laya Mani
* Sangeetha Seva Niratha
* DKJ Memorial award
* TTK Memorial award
* Sangeetha Kala Acharya from Music Academy (2001)
* Asthana Vidwan - Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam
Layodaya celebrated the Birth Centenary Celebrations of Rajappa Iyer on 6–8 October 2016 at Vani Mahal.
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, Vilangudi V.Sivakumar, Venkataraman (Pune),
Umayalpuram Mali, Umayalpuram V. Kalyanaraman, Palani Kumar, B. Ganapathiraman,
Vijay Siva
N. Vijay Siva (born 29 March 1967) is a Carnatic music vocalist. He is a disciple of the late D. K. Jayaraman.
Background
Vijay Siva was born to Akhila Siva and A.N.Siva on 29 March 1967.
Vijay Siva went to Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Senior Se ...
, 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.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rajappa Iyer, Kumbakonam
2007 deaths
1916 births
Indian percussionists
Mridangam players
20th-century Indian musicians