Tiruvarur Vaidyanathan

🪔 About

Tiruvarur Vaidyanathan, born on May 11, 1963, in Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India, is a highly renowned Indian mridangam artist. Hailing from a family deeply rooted in mridangam artistry, he began his musical journey under the tutelage of his grandfather, Tiruvarur Sri Kunju Iyer, and his uncle, Tiruvarur Sri Nagarajan. He further honed his skills through advanced training with the legendary mridangam maestro Guru Sri Karaikudi Mani. Vaidyanathan has carved a unique identity in the realm of South Indian Carnatic classical music, establishing himself as a top-grade artiste of All India Radio. His extensive career spans numerous performances across India and in over 20 countries worldwide. He has had the privilege of accompanying many stalwarts of both Carnatic and Hindustani classical music, including luminaries such as M. Balamuralikrishna, Maharajapuram Santhanam, D. K. Pattammal, M. L. Vasanthakumari, T. N. Krishnan, Sudha Raghunathan, Aruna Sairam, Bhimsen Joshi, and Ajoy Chakrabarty. Beyond performing, Vaidyanathan is a dedicated educator. He served as a full-time teaching faculty at the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) from 2000 to 2003. Upon his return to India in 2003, he founded the Tiruvarur Talavadya Vidyalaya (TTVV Trust) in Chennai, also known as the TVP School of Percussion, where he intensively trains budding musicians. He is recognized as a prime guru, guiding students not only in India but also internationally, particularly in the United States and Canada. He is also the brainchild behind "VIBRATIONS," a symphonic ensemble, and has composed in ragas like Savithri and Rasikapriya. His significant contributions to Carnatic instrumental music have earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2017. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2017), Kalaimamani Award (2018), Yuva Kala Bharathi (1993), Asthana Vidwan (2009), Acharya Ratnakara (2016), Vani Kala Sudhakara (2017), Vadya Kala Vipanchee (2007), Laya Vadhya Shiromani (2013), Vadya Sri (2009), Nadha Oli (2002), Laya Rathnakara (2006), Laya Gnana Bharathi (1999), Laya Vadya Samrat (2012), Certificate of Honor (2008), Gold medal in AIR music competition (1982).