Carrying on the Kunnakudy legacy
RANJANI GOVIND
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Homage will be paid to veteran Kunnakudy Venkatrama Iyer at a function to be held tomorrow in Chennai.
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``We teach Kaavadi Chindu as a special chapter in music, and also have short-term courses for learning this enchanting folk form," says Kunnakudy Bala, who runs the Kunnakudy School of Music, Thiruvanmiyur, in memory of her father-musician, Kunnakudy Venkatarama Iyer. The maestro hailed from an illustrious family of musicians from Chettinad whose ancestors specialised in Harikatha.
``Old-timers recall the encores in his concert when he slipped in these lilting little delights as tail-end pieces," says Bala, who has dedicated October 22 to Venkatrama Iyer. The anniversary of the school will also be celebrated on that day.
``Apart from bringing in important facets of my father's dreams in teaching music, the school also runs on his conviction that music de-stresses an individual and shapes the personality," says Bala who has weekend classes for the convenience of school children.
The events of the day to be held at Vijayaraja Kalyana Mandapam in Adyar include a cultural programme by the students of the Kunnakudy School of Music. Musicologist Prof. T. R. Subramanyam will preside, and D. Easwaran of Breeze Hotel will be the chief guest.
Kunnakudy Venkatarama Iyer was the son of Kunnakudy Subbier, a devotee of Lord Muruga, and his sister Lakshmi Ammal was a lyricist and one of the earliest students of Music Academy, Chennai.
Venkatarama Iyer, who started his career as a supervisor with All India Radio, Chennai, in the 1930s, is said to have brought in a blend of several styles to enrich the flavour of each concert. He is known to have followed the bani of guru Mazhavarayanendal Subbarama Iyer, Karikkudi Veena Brothers and his own brother Kunnakkudy Ganapathy Iyer. His contemporaries recollect his inclination to include rare North Indian ragas in his repertoire. Some of the hits in his discs released are `Kanden Kanden' in Bagesri, `Velane' in Subhabantuvarali and Kaavadi Chindu `Vannathinai Mavai' and `Moosuvandu' that gave him instant fame.
Kaavadi Chindu
Venkatarama Iyer was charmed by Kaavadi Chindu composed by Chengulam Annamalai Reddiar.
Iyer's cinema stint was equally exciting. He scored music for `Kannagi,' `Kubera Kuchela' and `Mangayarkarasi.' His disciples include P. U. Chinnappa, T. R. Rajakumari and T. R. Mahalingam. He was conferred Kalaimamani during the regime of the late M. G. Ramachandran.
Veterans reminisce...
``When the veteran rendered Kaavadi Chindu, it seemed as if Lord Subramanya had specially blessed him with a saccharine voice. It is apt to celebrate his achievements on October 22. — Subbu Arumugham.
``He had a majestic personality. I used to be amazed at the interest with which Venkatarama Iyer taught the nitty-gritty of musical expositions to actor P. U. Chinnappa in those days." — M. S. Viswanathan.
``Venkatarama Iyer was a close relative of my uncle Sundara Rama Bhagavatar. I had the privilege of accompanying him first in 1948 at Jagannatha Bhaktha Sabha in Egmore along with mridangist Karaikkudi Muthanna. During his daughter's wedding, he was delighted when I asked him if I could perform a solo!" — Lalgudi G. Jayaraman.
``Venkatarama Iyer's voice was as pleasing as his knowledge in music. While he popularised Kaavadi Chindu on the Carnatic music platform, his daughter is carrying on his legacy through her school." — D. K. Pattammal.
``Hailing from a family of Vedic scholars, music and Tamil ran in his blood. He was a family friend and often exchanged musical notes with my mother, Meenakshi. My sister-in-law Shyamala Balakrishnan collected and notated some of his compositions. I have choreographed three of his Pada Varnams. His style gave scope for both bhava and the Karanas I performed. His lyrics were characterised by swarakhsharas. — Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam.
``Among the many greats of Kunnakudi, Venkatarama Iyer's name stands tall. Even as a small boy I was influenced by his virtuosity and was lucky to be a part of his orchestra while he was a composer. Be it patriotic songs or the shades of North Indian Shaili, it was `nadopasana' that could be recognised in the suswaram and srutilayam that were inherent qualities of his music . — Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan.
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