Ramanathapuram M.N. Kandasamy Pillai

🪔 About

Ramanathapuram M.N. Kandasamy Pillai (born December 29, 1926, died 1995) was a highly respected and renowned Carnatic percussionist, specializing in the mridangam and kanjira. Hailing from Ramanathapuram, he began his musical journey at the tender age of five, receiving initial training from his grandfather. He further honed his mridangam skills under the tutelage of Asthana Vidwan Sri. Ramnad CS Shankarasiva Bagawathar for two years. From 1941, he became a devoted disciple of the legendary Guru Palani Subramaniam Pillai, continuing his studies until his guru's passing in 1962. Pillai's career as a professional musician began with his arangetram in 1946 at Akilandesvari Koil, where he accompanied Kalyanakrishna Bagawathar on the veena. After living in Ramanathapuram and Trichy, he settled in Madras (now Chennai) in 1962. The following year, in 1963, he joined All India Radio (A.I.R.) as a Senior Mridangist, a position that solidified his presence in the Carnatic music scene. Throughout his illustrious career, M.N. Kandasamy Pillai was a sought-after accompanist for many leading Carnatic vocalists and dancers. He served as a full-time accompanist for eminent artists like Smt T Brinda and T Mukhta for several years. He also toured internationally, including Russia and Germany, as a stock accompanist for Smt. Mani Krishnaswami for over three decades. His rhythmic prowess was also a prime accompaniment for Sri Chengleput Ranganathan Laya Vidwan for more than 40 years. He performed for Balamurali Krishna's compositions at the Krishna Gana Sabha in the 1970s. As a dedicated guru, Pillai nurtured numerous disciples across the globe. His prominent students include Late Sri. M V Udayshanker, Sri.MV Suryanarayanan, Trichy Rajaraman Ghatam, Sri. Arun Prakash, Shriram Krishnan, Sri. Shiva Shankar, Neyvelli Venkatesh, Mannarkoil J Balaji, M Ramachandran, Krishnamachari, and Sudhaman Korumbu. Notably, his foreign disciples, Rajan and Shiva Padiachi from South Africa, continue his legacy by running the Guru Manpundia Pillai Sangeetha Ashram. He also provided advanced mridangam lessons to Sri Doudlas Knight. Ramanathapuram M.N. Kandasamy Pillai passed away tragically in an accident in 1995. His contributions to Carnatic music and his role as an accompanist to Indian classical dance are remembered through various remembrance day events.