Manpoondia Pillai

Indian carnatic musician Manpoondia Pillai also spelt as Maanpoondiya Pillai (1859 – 1922) was an Indian carnatic musician who was renowned for playing kanjira (also known as ganjira) instrument. Manpoondia Pillai is acknowledged and credited for the emergence of Kanjira in South Indian Carnatic music, as well as for being the pioneer in the development of the modern form of the instrument. Maanpoondiya Pillai founded the traditional dominant school of percussion in the form of Pudukottai tradition in Carnatic music during the 19th century. Career He initially worked as a temple lantern-bearer in the Pudukottai Palace. He was offered an invitation to listen to music concerts, as he was mostly seen standing in a corner holding the lantern during music kacheris. According to sources and eyewitnesses, he was persuaded by someone in the crowd to learn the basics of music and become a music genius. The spark came to him when Manpoondia Pillai had appreciated the singers duo Nannu Mian and Chote Mian in awe of their performance to the drumming of dholak instrument. Captivated by musical interest, he then eventually approached percussion instrumentalist Tirugokarnam Mariappa Pillai (als