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T.S. Vembu Iyer

Gangadhara Subramanya Vajapeyar, who was better known as T.S.Vembu Iyer in the music circle, passed away on November 3 at his residence in Mylapore, Chennai. Hailing from a tradition that was performing the ‘Vajpaye yagam,’ in Tiruvalangadu, a hamlet between Mayavaram and Kumbakonam, Vembu Iyer, who was born on April 21, 1921, went on to become the prime disciple of Madurai Mani Iyer.

The bonding grew stronger after Vembu Iyer got married to his sister. He accompanied Madurai Mani Iyer in all his concerts as vocal support for more than 35 years. To put it succinctly he was the alter ego of Madurai Mani Iyer.

He derived satisfaction from following Mani Iyer as his shadow apart from lending physical and spiritual support to him and was a true karma yogi. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer gave him the title, ‘Guru Bhaktha Sironmani’ informally.

Once during a concert of Madurai Mani Iyer, an insect had gone into his mouth. Mani Iyer could not spit it out as it was against stage decorum. Understanding his predicament, Vembu Iyer asked him to spit it out on his right palm. Reluctantly Mani Iyer did so. Vembu Iyer went down, washed his hands and was back like a dart.

Noted Carnatic musician, T.V.Sankaranarayanan, who is carrying the mantle of Mani Iyer’s music, turned emotional when he narrated this incident involving his father (Vembu Iyer) and maternal uncle (Madurai Mani Iyer).

“Out of the few solo concerts of father, the one at Mumbai to the accompaniment of Lalgudi and Palani Subramnia Pillai, was the most memorable. After uncle’s demise he never went on stage to perform,” he said.

TVS recalls “I owe my repertoire to my uncle. However it was my father who taught me the nuances and subtleties of ragas. He was particular that I sing at least two gana ragas in all my concerts (Thodi, Khambodi, Bhairavi, Sankarabharanam and Kalyani) and would enquire about it on my return. The feel of Sankarabaranam ‘ga’ and the Thodi ‘ga,’ their karvai sookshamams were all his gifts. An A grade artist of AIR, it was he who brought sowkhyam into my music. He never went about promoting me after my uncle’s demise and believed that chances would come if one really deserved it.”

A man of few words, T.S.Vembu Iyer, was never known to speak ill of any one. An ardent devotee of Tyagaraja, he used to insist on TVS singing at least three of his kritis in every concert. “Maha Periyaval, during his patina pravesam in 1958, after blessing my father, said, ‘Avan Vembu Illai. Avan Karumbu,’” (he is not bitter but as sweet as sugar cane) reminisces TVS. He adds “Sundara Kandam parayanam and Gayathri japam were part of his daily routine. The day would never be complete without his visit to the shrine of Karpagambal- Kapaleeswarar.”

Vembu Iyer shied away from awards and titles but for the one from Sri Thiagaraja Sangeetha Vidwath Samajam, Mylapore, in 2004. He could not receive it in person as he was indisposed and TVS collected the award. “I never felt so honoured, not even when I received Padma Bhushan and Sangita Kalanidhi. I dedicate all my awards and titles to my father who has made me what I am,” concludes Sankaranarayanan in a choked voice.

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