Sheik Chinna Moulana (12 May 1924,

Karavadi Karavadi is a village in Prakasam district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located in Ongole mandal of Ongole revenue division Ongole revenue division (or Ongole division) is an administrative division in the Prakasam district of ...

Prakasham Prakasam district is one of the thirteen districts in the coastal Andhra region of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It was formed in 1970 and reorganised in 2022 on April 4. The headquarters of the district is Ongole. It is located on the weste ...

Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh (, abbr. AP) is a state in the south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state by area covering an area of and tenth-most populous state with 49,386,799 inhabitants. It is bordered by Telangana to the ...

– 13 April 1999,

Srirangam Srirangam, is a neighbourhood in the city of Tiruchirappalli in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. A river island, Srirangam is bounded by the Kaveri River on one side and its distributary Kollidam on the other side. Considered as the first amon ...

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is a States and union territories of India, state in southern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of India ...

), popularly known as Sheik, was a legendary nadhaswaram player in the Carnatic tradition. He was awarded the

Madras Music Academy Madras Music Academy is one of the earliest established music academies in South India. Before the concept of infrastructure was introduced to India in the early 1920s, it was a gathering for elite musicians simply called (and is still more ...

Sangeetha Kalanidhi Sangeetha Kalanidhi or Sangeeta Kalanidhi (Tamil: சங்கீத கலாநிதி, Sanskrit : संगीत-कला-निधि) (''sangeetha'' = music, ''kala'' = art, ''nidhi'' = treasure or ocean) is the title awarded yearly to ...

in 1998. He achieved high position through his outstanding control over the instrument, rendering the Krities in the Gayaki style and for his extraordinary style of Raga Alapana.

Tradition

Sheik Chinna Moulana hails from a family of music (nadhaswaram players). The ancient and traditional art of nadhaswaram playing had been preserved and fostered by the ancestors of Sheik Chinna Moulana, for the past 300 years. Following is list of the doyens who contributed to Chinna Moulana's tradition. 1. Vidhwan Adam Sahib – known for his expertise in the "Ragha – Devagandhari". 2. Vidhwan RasavAripalem Kasim sahib – deeply learned and could answer any doubts on music. 3. Kommur Pitcha sahib – enriched the art of Nadhaswaram. 4. Vidhwan Chinna Moula Sahib and Pedda Moula Sahib brothers- Chinna Moula was well versed in Sanskrit epics like Ramayanam and Amaram and could expound these epics in Telugu. 5. The Kommur brothers Pentu Sahib and Silar sahib – were called geniuses for the raghas Kalyani, Bilahari & Kedharagowla. 6. Chinna Peeru Sahib and Peddha Peeru Sahib Brothers – were famous for their proficiency in the Raghas Saveri and Abheri. Chinna Peeru was honoured with the title 'Nadha Brahma". 7. Sheik Adam sahib of Chilakaluripeta – Guru of Dr.Sheik Chinna Moulana – acclaimed fame for his Ragha Alapana. 8. Sheik Madar Sahib – Sheik Kasim Sahib Pair – were also geniuses. Madar Sahib was Chinn Moulan's Uncle and Kasim sahib was Chinna Moulana's father.

Early life

Sheik Chinna Moulana was born in

Village,

Prakasam district Prakasam district is one of the thirteen districts in the coastal Andhra region of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It was formed in 1970 and reorganised in 2022 on April 4. The headquarters of the district is Ongole. It is located on the weste ...

. Even at very early age he achieved proficiency in

Nadhaswaram The Nagaswaram (nādḥasvaram) is a double reed wind instrument from South India. It is used as a traditional classical instrument in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Kerala. This instrument is "among the world's loude ...

, first under the tutorship of his father Sheik Kasim Sahib and later Nadhaswara Vidwan Sri Throvagunta Shaik Hassan Saheb ( NadhaBrahma, Nadhaswara Dhaksha (Ref from "Andhrapradesh Nadhaswara & Dolu Kalakarula Charithra") and later under Sheik Adam Sahib, a renowned Nadhaswaram player of Chilakaluripeta, Andhra Pradesh. Recognizing the importance and the role of "Thanjavur Bhaani" (style of playing) he very much wanted to get trained in this. With this in view, he was under the tutelage of M/s. Rajam and Duraikannu brothers of Nachiarkovil (Thanjavur District – Tamil Nadu) for some years. Chinna Moulana was a childhood admirer of T.N. Rajarathnam Pillai, and was inspired by his style of playing Nathaswaram from an early age.

Career

Sheik Chinna Moulana gave his first performance in 60s in

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

and quickly gained renown. Sheik Chinna Moulana was an ardent devotee of

Lord Ranganatha Ranganatha, also known as Ranganathar, Rangan, Aranganathar, Sri Ranga, and Thenarangathan, is a Hindu deity with his origin in South India, serving as the chief deity of the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam. The deity is a resting form of ...

, which led him to reside in the pilgrim city of

. He performed at the Third International Asian Trade Fair, New Delhi in the year 1972. He had also given performance at

Red Fort The Red Fort or Lal Qila () is a historic fort in Old Delhi, Delhi in India that served as the main residence of the Mughal Emperors. Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned construction of the Red Fort on 12 May 1638, when he decided to shift hi ...

, New Delhi during February 1973 at the invitation of Government of India on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary celebrations of India's Independence. He has give performances widely both in India and abroad. He had visited Sri Lanka many times. He went to the United States and Canada in 1973 under the east–west exchange program. There he was awarded the title of "Nadhaswara Acharya" by Vassar College, New York. He visited Hong Kong in 1982 as an Indian Cultural delegate to the 7th Asian Arts Festival. He visited Soviet Union in 1987 during Sept. /Oct. to give concerts in the Festival of India there. He went to Germany in 1991 during September to give his inaugural concerts in the festival of India in Germany. He travelled all over Germany and gave concerts. He visited France too in 1991. He visited Finland in 1996 and performed in the International Music Festival there. He visited U.A.E in Sept. 1997 and took part in the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of India's Independence held in U.A.E. He has give performances at many important centres. A few are (i) Tansen Festival- Gwalior.(i) SAARC Festival (iii) Teenmurthy Bhavan, New Delhi and so on. He gave a number of lecture demonstrations on Nadhaswaram music, both in home and abroad. He was appointed as the "State Artist" of Tamil Nadu by the Govt. of Tamil Nadu. He was a Hon. Professor in the Raja's Government Music College of Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

Awards

* "Mangala Vadhya Visaradha"- at

Kumbakonam Kumbakonam (formerly spelt as Coombaconum or Combaconum) or Kudanthai is a city municipal corporation in the Thanjavur district in the States of India, Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located from Thanjavur and from Chennai and is the headq ...

in 1964 * "Kalaimamani"- Govt. of

in 1976 * "Padmasri"- Govt. of

in 1977 * "Central Sangeet Natak Academy award" – in 1977 * "Ganakala Prapooma"-

Sangeet Natak Academy in 1980 * "Gandharva Kalanidhi" – at

Rajamundry Rajahmundry, officially known as Rajamahendravaram, is a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and District headquarters of East Godavari district. It is the sixth most populated city in the state. During British rule, the District of Rajah ...

( A.P)" in 1981 * "Madhura Kala Praveena" – Sadhguru Sangeetha Samajam,

Madurai Madurai ( , also , ) is a major city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Madurai District. As of the 2011 census, it was the third largest Urban agglomeration in ...

* "Nadhaswara Kalanidhi" – Saraswathy Kala Samithy, Machilipatnam,

, in 1984 * "Sapthagiri Vidhwanmani"- Thyagaraja Festival Committee,

Tirupati Tirupati () is a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is the administrative headquarters of the Tirupati district. The city is home to the important Hindu shrine of Tirumala Venkateswara Temple and other historic temples and is refe ...

−1984 * "Akhila Bharatha Nadhaswara Eka Chakradhipathi" – Sri Jambukeshwar Dewasthanam,

Trichy Tiruchirappalli () ( formerly Trichinopoly in English), also called Tiruchi or Trichy, is a major tier II city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Tiruchirappalli district. The city is credited with bein ...

, in 1985 * "Hon. Degree of Doctorate" –

Andhra University Andhra University (IAST: ''Āndhra Vișvakalāpariṣhat'') is a public university located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was established in 1926. History King Vikram Deo Verma, the Maharaja of Jeypore was one of the biggest do ...

Visakhapatnam , image_alt = , image_caption = From top, left to right: Visakhapatnam aerial view, Vizag seaport, Simhachalam Temple, Aerial view of Rushikonda Beach, Beach road, Novotel, Novotel Visakhapatnam, INS Kursura (S20), INS ...

in 1985 * "Honour by Telugu University"- at

Hyderabad Hyderabad ( ; , ) is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana and the ''de jure'' capital of Andhra Pradesh. It occupies on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River (India), Musi River, in the northern part ...

in 1987 * "Award of Senior Fellowship" – Govt. of

in 1988 * "Sangeetha Vidhwanmani" –

Thyagaraja Thyagaraja (Telugu: త్యాగరాజ) (4 May 1767 – 6 January 1847), also known as Thyāgayya and in full as Kakarla Thyagabrahmam, was a composer and vocalist of Carnatic music, a form of Indian classical music. Tyagaraja and his ...

kala Samithy,

Vijayawada Vijayawada, formerly known as Bezawada, is the second largest city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and is a part of the state's Capital Region. It is the administrative headquarters of the NTR district. Its metropolitan region comprises NT ...

– 1988 * "Emeritus Fellowship" – Awarded by the Govt. of

in 1993 * "Bridhu" awarded by H.H. Shri Jagadguru Srimad Bharathi Teertha Mahaswamy at

Shringeri Sringeri (IAST: Śṛngēri) also called Shringeri is a hill town and Taluk headquarters located in Chikkamagaluru district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the site of the first maṭha ( Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada Peetham) establis ...

in 1993. Also appointed as the Asthana Vidhwan of Shringeri mutt * "Sangeetha Kala Nipuna" – Mylapore Fine Arts Club,

Madras Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...

on 11 December 1993 conferred by Shri. R. Venkatraman, President of India * "Isai Peraringar" – Tamil Isai Sangam,

– conferred by Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalitha on 21 December 1993 * "Sangeetha Rathna Mysore T. Chowdaiah National Award" – Conferred by Shri. K.R. Narayanan, Vice- President of India, at the academy of music,

Bangalore Bangalore (), officially Bengaluru (), is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It has a population of more than and a metropolitan population of around , making it the third most populous city and fifth most ...

on 4 March 1995. * "Award of Rajarathna" – Muthamizh Peravai,

on 1 December 1995, conferred by Sri. M.Karunanidhi, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu * "Sangeetha Kalanidhi" – conferred by Music Academy,

Chennai Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...

on 1 January 1999.

Contribution

Having settled down in

in the heart of

he had founded the "Saradha Nadhaswara Sangeetha Ashram" with the sole aim of imparting knowledge of music-

playing in particular to younger generation and he achieved in producing a number of notable students from the Ashram. Films Division (Govt. of

) made a film on Dr. Sheik Chinna Moulana (Non-feature Film). This film has been selected for the 31st National Film Festival of

(Indian Panorama-2000) and also for the International film Festival of

. Dr.Sheik Chinna Moulana died on 13 April 1999 in

, aged 75 at the abode Lord Ranganatha after brief illness.

Foundation of Dr. Sheik Chinna Moulana

After his death, his grandsons & disciples Kasim-Babu have established a Trust in memory of their Guru and grandfather – "Dr.Chinnamoulana Memorial Trust". The prime objective of the Trust is to globalise the importance of Nadhaswaram Music. The Trust is rendering noble service – by presenting Nadhswaram instruments to deserving students and also purses to senior indigent artistes of the Nadhaswaram fraternity.

Family

Smt. Bibijan is the only daughter of Sheik Chinna Moulana. Chinna Moulana taught vocal music to his daughter. Sheik Subhan Sahib is the son in law and also disciple of Sheik Chinna Moulana. Subhan Sahib accompanied sheik in concerts for few years. Chinna Moulana has five grand sons and one granddaughter. Of his five grandsons, Chinna Moulana trained Kasim and Babu vigorously and the brothers accompanied Chinna Moulana in his concerts both in home and abroad for many years. Today, Kasim-Babu are the front ranking Nadhaswaram artistes and are the torch bearers of Chinnamoulana's tradition. Paul Sheik Chinna Kasim, one of the grandsons is actively involved in Christian ministry after his dramatic conversion to Christianity

Discography

* Dr. Sheik Chinna Moulana – Vol-1 and Vol-2 – By Vani Recording Company * Nadhaswara Samrat Sheik Chinna Moulana – Immortal series by "T-Series" * Sheik Chinna Moulana Carnatic Instrumental-Nadhaswaram – by EMI – RPG * Sheik Chinna Moulana – Nadhaswaram – By EMI Colombia * Collectors Choice – Dr Sheik Chinna Moulana – Nadhaswaram – By Media dreams Ltd * Great Master's Series – Dr.Sheik Chinna Moulana – By media Dreams Ltd * Paddhathi – Sheik Chinna Moulana-Live Concert – Vol I & II – By Charsur Digital Work Station

References

* http://lokabhiramam.blogspot.com/2011/03/shaik-chinna-moulana-interview.html * AllMusic.com (n.d.).

Sheik Chinna Moulana Sheik Chinna Moulana (12 May 1924, Karavadi Prakasham, Andhra Pradesh – 13 April 1999, Srirangam, Tamil Nadu), popularly known as Sheik, was a legendary nadhaswaram player in the Carnatic tradition. He was awarded the Madras Music Academy's Sa ...

* Carnatica.com

* Medieval.org

* Deccan Herald

* Call to set up chair in Carnatic Music

{{DEFAULTSORT:Moulana, Sheik Chinna 1924 births 1999 deaths Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award Sangeetha Kalanidhi recipients Nadaswaram players 20th-century Indian Muslims 20th-century Indian musicians People from Guntur Andhra University alumni