Ramanathapuram C. S. Murugabhoopathy

Ramanathapuram C. S. Murugabhoopathy (14 February 1914 – 21 March 1998), popularly referred to as CSM, was one of the most distinguished Mridanga maestros of the 20th century. He was a contemporary of Palghat Mani Iyer (1912–1981) and Palani Subramania Pillai (1908–1962).[1] The three legends are revered as the "Holy Trinity of Mridanga".[1]

Ramanathapuram C. S. Murugabhoopathy
Background information
Also known asCSM or Chellaswamy Sirchabai Murugabhoopathy
Born(1914-02-14)14 February 1914
OriginIndia
Died21 March 1998(1998-03-21) (aged 84)
GenresIndian classical music
Occupation(s)Mridanga artist
Instrument(s)Mridanga

Early life

Born in the town of Ramanathapuram (also known as Ramnad) in Tamil Nadu, Murugabhoopathy obtained his early lessons in Mridanga from his father Chitsabai Servai (also Sirchabai Servai)[2] and later on from Palani Muttiah Pillai (the father of Palani Subramania Pillai), both of whom were students of the great Pudukottai Manpoondia Pillai (read as Maamudia Pillai). Murugabhoopathy's elder brother C. S. Sankarasivam Bhagavatar was a strong influence in the development of Murugabhoopathy's musical style.[2][3] A young CSM picked up many tips from legendary percussionists including Kumbhakonam Azhaganambi Pillai, who taught him some intricate techniques of playing with his left hand.[1]

Major performances

Murugabhoopathy accompanied many carnatic stalwarts such as Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Chittoor Subramania Pillai, Musiri Subramania Iyer, and Dandapani Desikar. CSM benefited a lot from the generous promotion and support given by Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar and Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer.[1][4][5] He later on played alongside G. N. Balasubramaniam, Madurai Mani Iyer, M.K Thyagaraja bhagavathar, Dr.M.Balamuralikrishna, M. D. Ramanathan, Ramnad Krishnan, T. M. Thiagarajan, Maharajapuram Santhanam, Madurai Somasundaram, Madurai T N Sheshgopalan, T.R.Mahalingam(flute), Mysore V. Doreswamy Iyengar (veena), Tirumakudalu Chowdiah (violin), T. N. Krishnan (violin), Lalgudi Jayaraman (violin) and other leading musicians in many concerts.[1][3]

Awards and recognition

Legacy

CSM improvised the left hand playing technique with innovative movements of split fingers.[1] He was renowned for his unmatched sense of pitch, tonal purity and meaningful silent pauses while following the main artiste. Clarity even during very high speed renditions was one of the hallmarks of his thani aavarthanes (solos). CSM also developed many unique patterns and lessons and established a new playing style. Some of his notable students include Mavilekkara Shankarakutty Nair, Karaikudi Krishnamurthy (Singapore & London), Kumbakonam Premkumar (AIR Delhi), and B. Druvaraj (Bangalore). His most famous student was the Khanjira wizard G. Harishankar (AIR Madras).[1][2] The Mridanga trinity influenced one another and drew inspiration by listening to one another. It is a fact that Palani Subramania Pillia, who rarely played the Khanjira in live concerts (although he was extremely good at it), played on a Khanjira only with two Mridangists. One of course was Palghat Mani Iyer and the other was C S Murugabhoopathy.[8]

References
  1. Ramanathapuram C S Murugabhoopathy: The Last of the Titans, an Obituary by K S Kalidas, May 1998. Shruti, 164: 15-16.
  2. N. Scott Robinson. "South Indian Percussionist Page". nscottrobinson.com. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  3. Publication of the Percussive Arts Centre, Bangalore
  4. An interview of Ramathapuram C S Murugabhoopathy published in the music magazine Shruti, July 1985 (issue 17 S, page 6)
  5. A radio interview of Ramanathapuram C S Murugabhoopathy conducted by Mr Subramanya Deshikar (AIR Madras)
  6. "Padma Awards Directory (1954-2009)" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 May 2013.
  7. "Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar (Akademi Awards) list of Awardees". Sangeet Natak Akademi, http://www.sangeetnatak.org/. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2011. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  8. A radio interview of Trichy Sankaran, speaking on Palani Subramania Pillai
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