Master of a unique skill
S. R. D. Vaidyanathan... TTK Award for Excellence.
THE TINY village of Semponnarkoil, near Mayavaram, is associated with the prominent musical term Rakthi, that relates to the essence of enjoyment of this art. Rakthi, which encompasses within itself beautiful intricacies of laya is a unique masterly composition (Rakthi Melam) that brought glory to the nagaswaram players of Semponnarkoil tradition for their exquisite handling of this exposition. To this lineage belongs veteran S.R.D. Vaidyanathan, son of the illustrious Semponnarkoil Dakshinamurti Pillai. Vaidyanathan receives the TTK award from the Music Academy this year. A true follower of his father's musical tradition unique for its raga improvisation and kriti rendition he is known for handling difficult pallavis and incorporating astonishing genius, following the footsteps of his forefathers.
S.R.D. Vaidyanathan was trained by Mayavaram Ramaswami Pillai. In vocal music, his teachers were Thiruvazhundur A.K. Ganesan Pillai and Madurai Mani Iyer.
Vaidyanathan's unique achievement in his skill in rendering Avadana Pallavi, a rare marathon effort, where the vocalist engages in singing a pallavi, employing at the same time different tala structures.
Seventy-four year old Vaidyanathan, who has been honoured with the Kalimamani, has toured all over India and outside for performances and has given special demonstration of Rakthi Melam.
Vaidyanathan's grandfather Nagaswara vidwans, Ramswami Pillai and father Dakshinamurti Pillai, were the forerunners in recording their performances with His Master's Voice and Columbia Company.
Vaidyanathan has to his credit several of his performances recorded by AIR and Doordarshan.
This maestro of the Mangala Vadya retired as Reader in Nagaswaram from the Annamalai University and later as lecturer in the Tamizh Isai Sangam of Raja Annamalai Mandram, Chennai.
He was also the Astana Vidwan of the Adeenams of Dharmapuram, Thiruvavaduthurai and Tirupanandal.
N. R.
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