Please see Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4, of this profile of my great-grandfather.
Father was a writer too. He regularly wrote articles for Tamil and English magazines. His articles for the Bhavan's Journal were later compiled and published as a book titled The Facets of Indian Culture.
Father has written a book on kathakalakshepam, in English. He collected a set of his own bhajans, as well as traditional bhajans, and this was published as a book by the Salem Theosophical Lodge. He wrote stories and articles on kavadi chindu, pop music, etc. for Tamil magazines like Kaveri, whoch was published in Kumbakonam, and also Kumudam.
Father was a composer too. He composed many songs in Tamil and Sanskrit. In those days, a composer would compose the lyrics, music, tala, everything. Not like today where the lyric is written by someone and the music composed by another, and so on.
I have published 51 of Father's compositions, with notation, as a book. This book was released in 1954 at Kalakshetra in Adyar by Musiri Subrahmania Iyer. Father was particular that the function be held where people of music were present, and rejected the suggestion by some friends that politicians should be invited. Tiger Varadachariar, Mysore Vasudevachar, and Buldur Krishnamurthy Sastrigal were some of the stalwarts who attended the function. That evening, I sang some of Father's compositions for an hour, with Varahur Muthuswamy Iyer (violin) and Karaikudi Muthu Iyer (mridanga) as accompanists. These two used to accmompany me in many of my concerts in Madras. The function was a big success. Rukmini Devi, whom father had known for long, was also present. Father also served as Director of Kalakshetra for one or two years.
Unfinished post - I found this "unpublished post" in 2022. I'll try and see if I can finish it one of these days.
PART 5
Prof. R. Srinivasan
(1887-1975)
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Patron & Promoter of Music
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Father was a well-known musicologist also. He served as the examiner for the music college in Tiruvanantapuram. Later, after moving to Madras, he was, consecutively for seven years, the Chairman of the Board of Examiners of the Central Music College (now the Government College of Music) when Musiri was its Principal. The likes of Chembai, Semmangudi and Budalur Krishnamurthy Sastry were members of the Board. They all had great faith in and respect for Father's knowledge. Chambai used to say that nothing further could be said after "Professorval" had given his opinion. In fact, the great musicians had respect for his opinions, and hardly anyone would oppose his views.
Father has written a book on kathakalakshepam, in English. He collected a set of his own bhajans, as well as traditional bhajans, and this was published as a book by the Salem Theosophical Lodge. He wrote stories and articles on kavadi chindu, pop music, etc. for Tamil magazines like Kaveri, whoch was published in Kumbakonam, and also Kumudam.
Father was a composer too. He composed many songs in Tamil and Sanskrit. In those days, a composer would compose the lyrics, music, tala, everything. Not like today where the lyric is written by someone and the music composed by another, and so on.
I have published 51 of Father's compositions, with notation, as a book. This book was released in 1954 at Kalakshetra in Adyar by Musiri Subrahmania Iyer. Father was particular that the function be held where people of music were present, and rejected the suggestion by some friends that politicians should be invited. Tiger Varadachariar, Mysore Vasudevachar, and Buldur Krishnamurthy Sastrigal were some of the stalwarts who attended the function. That evening, I sang some of Father's compositions for an hour, with Varahur Muthuswamy Iyer (violin) and Karaikudi Muthu Iyer (mridanga) as accompanists. These two used to accmompany me in many of my concerts in Madras. The function was a big success. Rukmini Devi, whom father had known for long, was also present. Father also served as Director of Kalakshetra for one or two years.
Unfinished post - I found this "unpublished post" in 2022. I'll try and see if I can finish it one of these days.
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