Retd. Grade-I Artist, All India Radio, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
Instrument
Mirudhangam
Musical artist
Mridanga vidwan Tanjavur R. Ramamoorthy (தஞ்சாவூர் ர.ராமமூர்த்தி) was born to a famous Violinist. R.Rathinam Pillai and Krishnammal on 15.6.1929. Ramamurthy hails from a family steeped in music and dance. His father was a violinist and direct disciple of Tirukodikaval Krishna Iyer. His aunt Veenabhashini was a famous exponent of Sadir/ Bharatanatyam, and father-in-law Tirukadayur Chinnayya Pillai a versatile tavil vidwan.
Ramamurthy is the recipient of several awards including the prestigious Kalaimamani award from the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Manram (1981), Isai-k-Kadal from Karaikudi Tamil Isai Sangam (1983), Mridanga Selvam from Muthamizh Peravai (1987), Laya Vadya Ratnam from Sri Sadguru Tyagabrahma Aradhana Trust, Tiruchi (2002), Madhura Kala Nipuna from Laya Madhuraa, Chennai (2011), and the TTK Award from the Music Academy, Madras (2013).
In 1950, he married R.Kunjammal Daughter of Thirukaddiur Chinnaiya Pillai a familiar Tavil Vidwan who earned number of titles like “Kalasigamani” of then State Government.
He entered into Gurukulavasam in 1938 under Bramashri. Biravam Pillai at the age of 9 and was trained under “Thanjavur style” and his Miruthangam Arangettram was held in 1941 and his guru allowed him to participate Kacheries/programmes with Mirudhangam accompaniment. During those times Bramashri.Biravam Pillai brought him to the famous Miruthangha Vidwan Brammashri.Vaidyanatha Iyer of Thanjavur and requested to allow him to enter into his Gurugulam and handed over him to Brammashri.Vaidyanatha Iyer who has trained him under “Thanjavur Style” further. Thanjavur R.Ramamoorthy, Palghat Mani Iyer, T.K.Moorthy are the disciples of Vadyanatha Iyer. Vaidyanatha Iyer he was staying at Trivandram while joining his school, hence he learnt developments in Miruthangam at Trivandram under him and he was directed to participate some Kacheries/programmes and he paticipated in AIR programmes once in three months. From 1943 onwards he had chain of programmes and every Kachery/music programme will have Mridhangam accompanyment of Palghat Mani Iyer (PADMABHUSAN AWARDEE-1971), Palani Subramania Pillai and himself. All the top rank artists of those time liked and requested his Mridhangam accompanyment in their programmes by considering him with Genious Palghat Mani Iyer and Palani Subramania Pillai. While this being his career outside Brammashri.G.D. Sastri then Station Director of AIR /Trichy requested him in writing to join as Artist of AIR and he has joined All India Radio, Trichy as per the directions of his Gurunathar.
Governor of Tamil Nadu Sadiqq Ali confers Kalaimamani title in 1980 to Thanjavur Ramamoorthy,behind is MG Ramachandran Chief Minister of Tamil NaduOn 26.1.1980 Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataga Mandram conferred a title “KALAIMAMANI” with gold medal by the then Honorable Governor Sadiq Ali and Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.G.Ramachandran.
The Karaikudi Tamil Isai Sangam conferred a title “ISAI KADAL” ON 19.6.1983.
He has served as a Examination Committee Member from 1983 to 1985 in the Annamalai University Chidambaram for awarding the Sangeetha Bhusan Degree.
On 16.5.1989 All India Radio Trichy honoured him to receive the Golden Jubilee malar during its Golden Jubilee celebrations in the capacity of Senior Artist.
During 1989 he has been categorised under Grade-I Artist as a first man in All India Radio Service at the verge of retirement. On one occasion Rotary club of Trichy honored my service in All India Radio.
In 1990 the Madurai Mahadeva Asthami Committee honored me for my 50 years of service to the Music field and special handling of Mridhangam.
The Maharajapuram viswanatha Iyer trust Chennai honored me as Senior Artist on 1.4.1994.Muthamilperavai award MIRUTHANGA SELVAM title conferred by former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Dr. M.Karunanidhi in 1993
Muthamil Peravai of Chennai conferred a title “MIRUTHANGHA SELVAM” by Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Dr.M.Karunanidhi on 9.2.1997 with a Gold Medal.
Trichy District Nalla Nidhi Committee has awarded “KALAIPEROLI” title on 8.6.2001 under the Presidenship of District Collector V.Moorthy.
On 31.1.2002 Shri Sathguru Thiagabramma Trust & Shri Sathguru Sabha conferred him a title “LAYA VATHYA RATHNAM” with Gold Medal.
A recognition for the long service in the Carnatic Music held at Tiruppur during the Palani Subramania Pillai Memorial Music Function held during 22.11.2002 to 24.11.2002.
He was appointed as Artist of All India Radio by the British Government on 5.9.1945. He served under British Government upto 1947 and 42 years in Indian Government as Mridhangam Artist. In 1946 he has accompanied vocal programmes of the great vidwans Pananasam.Sivan, Thiruvaduthurai T.N.Rajarathinam Pillai. Subsequently All India Radio preferred a method of categorising the Artists in various Grades through a panel committee in 1950. He has been chosen into the “A” Grade Artist by the first panel committee.
He has accompanied with Mridhangam to a vocal concert by Sathoor.A.G.Subramania Iyer on 11.3.1950 in an “External Service” programme recording on special request from All India Radio, New Delhi.
On 3.7.1951 while Balamurali Krishna(PADMASHRI AWARDEE-1971, PADMAVIBHUSAN-1991) accompanied with Viola to G.N.Balasubramaniam (Guruji of M.L.Vasanthakumari-(PADMASHRI AWARDEE-1967)) a genious in vocal , He has accompanied with Mridhangam, at Chennai on special invitation for a national programme from All India Radio, Chennai.
On 4.7.1951 he has accompanied Balamurali Krishna Viola-solo at AIR Chennai as per the special request of Balamurali Krishna.(PADMASHRI AWARDEE-1971)
On 12.2.1960 he has accompanied Voleti Venkateswaralu a vocalist at Vijayawada in a Sangeetha Sammelan programme.
On 12.11.1961 he has accompanied Trichy Swaminatha Iyer for his vocal concert in a Sangeetha Sammelan Programme at Bangalore.
Accompanied to Madurai.S.Somasundaram a famous vocalist on 8.11.1963 for a Sangeetha Sammelan Programme at Trichy. .(PADMASHRI AWARDEE-1976)
Accompanied Chithoor Subramania Pillai familiar vocalist (Guruji of Madurai.S.Somasundaram) on 9.4.1966 in a national Programme at New Delhi on a specific request from the AIR New Delhi.
On 12.8.1973 accompanied flute concert of H.Ramachandra Sastri at Chennai All India Radio on special invitation.
Accompanied with Mridhangam to V.R.Kedharanathan, Vocalist on 29.11.1975 in a Sangeetha Sammelan Programme.
During 1975 accompanied with single Mridhangam for a TRIO VIOLIN SOLO by Dr.L.Vaidhyanathan.(PADMASHRI AWARDEE-1989),, Dr.L.Sankar, Dr.L.Subramaniam in a special programme at All India Radio, Trichy.
Accompanied with Mridhangam in a Sangeetha Sammelan programme at Vijayawada to Angammali Shri.Jose on 15.11.1990.
Organised ‘THANI AVARTHANAM’ and ‘LAYAKOLAM’ programmes (i.e.) Mridhangam solos in rare and critical Thalas. One of the recognition to his Layakolam is published in ‘AKASHWANI’ issue dated 23.3.1980.
Accompanied four GENERATIONS of STALWARTS of various fields
He has accompanied with Miruthangam to Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer and Semmangudi.Narayanasamy Iyer Gurujis of Semmangudi.Srinivasa Iyer. (PADMASHRI AWARDEE-1969)
Accompanied Karur.Chinnasamy Iyer, Vocalist the Guruji of famous, Musiri.Subramania Iyer. Accompanied Musiri.Subramania Iyer Guruji of T.K.Govinda Rao, Mani Krishnasamy(PADMASHRI AWARDEE-2002) who were also accompanied with Mridhangam by myself.
Accompanied Harmoniam by Alathur Venkatesa Iyer Guruji of well known Alathur Brothers. Accompanied. Alathur Brothers on several occassions on their specific request for acompanyment of him. Accompanied their sisyas also.
Acompanied Marungapuri Gopalakrishnan Iyer Guruji of Sundresa Pattar, Accompanied Sundaresa Pattar who was Guruji of M.S.Subbulakshimi. Accompanied M.S.Subbulakshimi also.
Accompanied G.N.Balasubramanim famous vocalist and Guruji of M.L.Vasanthakumari, Radha Jeyalakshimi, Thiruchoor. Ramachandran living now.
Accompanied Sithoor Subramania Pillai Guruji to Madurai.S.Somasundaram. (PADMASHRI AWARDEE-1971) Accompanied Madurai.Somasundaram and sisyas also.
Accompanied Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer a well known vocalist and his son Maharajapuram.V Santhanam(PADMASHRI AWARDEE-1990) who had earned excellancy in this field and Maharajapuram Ramachandran who is the grandson of Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer.
Accompanied so many concerts to the Chief Producers of AIR New Delhi
Biography International *Vol. III* Men & Women of Achievement & Distinction by K.L. Gupta, ASIN: B00178V0WQ, Publisher: South-Asia Pub. Co.; 1St Edition edition (1991), Pages: 1055 and 1056
Reference India: Biographical-Notes About Men and Women of Achievement of Today and Tomorrow by Ravi Bhusan, Publisher: Rifacimento International, First Volume, Page: 680
