Kumbakonam Rajamanickam Pillai was a Carnatic music violinist from Tamil Nadu who lived during the period, 5 August 1898 – November 1970. He was a gigantic figure in the Carnatic Music field. His grandson Thyagu is a popular comedian and character artist of Tamil cinema, while his great-grandson Sarang Thyagu marked his directorial debut with Aaromaley (2025), which received favourable reviews.
Kumbakonam Rajamanickam Pillai began his musical journey with Nadaswaram
He was born in the small village of Alangudi (present-day Thanjavur district) in a Devadasi family. His mother was his biggest inspiration, who encouraged him in his music journey. As a percussionist he began with Nadaswaram. Kandaswamy Pillai was his first guru, followed by Tiruvisanallur Pallavi Narayanaswamy Iyer and then from Pandanallur Chinnaswamy Pillai. He learnt violin for 4 years from Tirukodikaval Ramaswamy Iyer, direct disciple of Tirukodikaval Krishna Iyer. His teachers advised him to take violin as his profession instead of vocals, as it suits him best.
He accompanied leading Carnatic vocalists of the state
Apart from performing in violin concerts, he frequently accompanied Carnatic vocalists as a violinist. Ariyakkudi, Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer, Musiri Subramania Iyer & Chittoor Subramania Pillai were some of those great names. He also accompanied musicians belonging to his generation like Semmangudi & Alathur Brothers, and was willing to play for junior artists too. He also owned numerous blessed disciples. M. M. Dandapani Desikar, Sambandham Pillai, Virudhunagar Ganapathia Pillai, Sikkil Bhaskaran and Mayavaram V. R. Govindaraja Pillai are among his famous disciples. Once in a Trichy Radio concert he played with three of his disciples.
During his younger days, he has been honoured by rulers like Chiththirai Thirunal Maharaja of Travancore who gifted him an elephant, and Royal Courts of Ramanathapuram, Kochchin, Ettayapuram, Travancore and Mysore. Sangeet Natak Akademi honoured him in the year 1959. He received Isai Perarignar title in 1957, awarded by Tamil Isai Sangam. Music Academy, Chennai honoured him with the title, Sangeetha Kalanidhi in 1948.
Recent Comments