T. K. Murthy
Carnatic Music Musician
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Thanu Krishna Murthy, widely known as T. K. Murthy, is a legendary Indian Mridangam player in Carnatic music, born on August 13, 1924, in Neyyattinkara, Travancore (now Kerala). He hails from a distinguished lineage of court musicians, being the fifth generation in his family to pursue music, a tradition that spans seven generations. His father, Thanu…
Journey Timeline
1924
Born — Thanu Krishna Murthy in Neyyattinkara, Travancore (now Kerala).
1927
Began music lessons — His father, Thanu Bhagavathar, started teaching him music at age three.
1932
Started playing mridangam informally — Began playing at age eight without formal training.
1933
Began formal training — Under Thanjavur Vaidyanatha Iyer, who adopted him as a son.
1935
Debut concert — At age eleven (or twelve) in Coimbatore, accompanying Musiri Subramania Iyer.
1937
Name shortened to T. K. Murthy — By Palghat Mani Iyer during a concert in Madras.
1940s
Received Gold Medal — From Nobel laureate Sir C. V. Raman for improving mridangam quality.
1987
Received Sangeet Natak Akademi Award — For Carnatic Music - Instrumental (Mridangam).
1989
Received Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship
1994
Received Sangeetha Kalanidhi — From the Madras Music Academy.
2010
Received Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
2017
Received Padma Shri — From the Government of India.
2022
Received Mahaguru award — From TSN's Percussive Arts Centre Inc (TSNPAC), New Jersey.
2023
Centenary tribute — By Neelakanda Sivan Cultural Academy in Chennai.
2024
Completed 100 years — Celebrated his 100th birthday on August 13, 2024.
2025
Honored with "Madhuraa Laya Samrat" — At Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai.
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Awards & Honors
- 2017 · Padma Shri — Government of India
- 1994 · Sangeetha Kalanidhi — Madras Music Academy
- 1987 · Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Carnatic Music - Instrumental (Mridangam) — Sangeet Natak Akademi
- 2010 · Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship — Sangeet Natak Akademi
- Laya Ratnakara — Sivananda Saraswati, Rishikesh
- Kalaimamani — T.N. Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram
- Mridanga Bhoopathy — Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar
- Mridanga Bhooshanam — Sri Sankaracharya of Kanchipuram
- Palghat Mani Iyer Award — Percussive Arts Centre, Bangalore
- Tala Vilas Award — Sur Singar Samsad, Bombay
- 1989 · Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship — Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi
- Honorary Doctorate — Arizona University, USA
- Asthana Vidwan — Trivandrum Palace
- National Artiste — Prasar Bharathi
- 2022 · Mahaguru (The great Mridangam Master) — TSN's Percussive Arts Centre Inc (TSNPAC), New Jersey
Media Coverage
- Sparrow's monstrous talent
The Hindu
- Dr. T K Murthy: Doyen of Mridangam (Part I)
India Art Review
- T.K. Murthy: Celebrating a Century of Rhythmic Mastery
India Art Review
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