Thanjavur R. Ramamoorthy

🪔 About

Thanjavur R. Ramamoorthy (June 15, 1929 – June 22, 2019) was a distinguished vidwan in Indian classical music, renowned for his mastery of the mridangam, an ancient Indian percussion instrument central to Carnatic music ensembles. Born in 1929, Ramamoorthy embarked on his musical journey at the age of nine, entering gurukulavasam in 1938 under Brahmarshi Biravam Pillai, where he was trained in the "Thanjavur style" of mridangam playing. His mridangam arangetram, or debut performance, took place in 1941. He further honed his skills under the tutelage of Brahmarshi Vaidyanatha Iyer of Thanjavur, also learning developments in mridangam at Trivandrum. Ramamoorthy's illustrious career began early, with his appointment as an Artist of All India Radio by the British Government on September 5, 1945. He dedicated 42 years to serving as a mridangam artist for All India Radio, eventually being categorized as a Grade-I Artist in 1989. Throughout his career, he accompanied numerous legendary Carnatic musicians, including Bharat Ratna awardee M. S. Subbulakshmi, D. K. Pattammal, M. L. Vasanthakumari, Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Madurai Mani Iyer, and Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna. His contributions to Carnatic music were widely recognized, earning him several prestigious titles and awards. He also contributed to music education, serving as an examination committee member at Annamalai University for the Sangeetha Bhusan Degree from 1983 to 1985. Awards & Honours: Kalaimamani (1980), Isai Kadal (1983), Golden Jubilee edition (Senior Artist) (1989), Honour for 50 years of service to Music field (1990), Senior Artist (1994), Miruthangha Selvam (1997), Kalai Peroli (2001).