Carnatic Vocalist
Birth
Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer was born on 25 July 1908 to Radhakrishnan Iyer and Dharmasamvardhini Ammal in Tirukkodival of Thanjavur District in Madras Presidency.
School Life
He did not go for schools, since the schools were at 10km in Kodavasal and at 13km in Tiruvarur from his home. Because there was no bus facility in those days.
Personal life
Srinivasa Iyer was married to Thayyu ammal. He had three sons and two daughters.
Musical Education of Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer
Srinivasa Iyer began to learn music from Semmagudi Narayanaswamy Iyer (his cousin), when he was eight years old. Then he got training from Thiruvadaimaruthur Sakharama Rao. Later Narayanaswamy Iyer taught him varnams and Keerthanams.
Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer Fame
His disciples used to call him “Semmangudi Maama”. He was known as “Kharaharapriya Srinivasa Iyer” for his delicate performance in Raaga Kharaharapriya. He excelled in his favourite ragas such as Kalyani, Khamboji, Kharaharapriya and Arabhi. In due with his Carnatic talent, he was known as the grand sire of Carnatic music or “Pitamaha” .
Turning point
In the 1924, one of his guru Sakharama Rao came to Srinivasa Iyer’s house ate food and heard his song. Later Shakharama Rao asked his mother to send Srinivasa Iyer with him. After gaining his mother’ permission, Iyer went off with his guru, which was the turning point.
During 1962, at his 19th age, he made his first music recital at Nageswaram temple in Kumbakonam. To reach this location, Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer took him through the train. Next, he gave his musical recital in the Madras Session of Indian National Congress, which gave him the chance to join among the lists of musical vidwans.
Thyagaraaja Aradhana
In 1928, Govindaswamy Pillai gave the invitation to and took him to Tiruvaiyaaru of Thanjavur District to perform at the Thyagaraaja Aradhana. During Thayaraaja Aradhana, all the famous musicians will assemble every year to perform at the saint Thyagaraja Samadhi. As he got a chance to recite here, it was a great honor for him.
In 1934, his performance and musical talent made him, notable to Maharani Sethu Parvati Bai. For which, Maharani called him to Thiruvananthapuram to edit and familiarize the compositions of Swati Tirunaal.
Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer as Principal
After the Muthiah Bhagavathar retirement in 1940, the queen requested to replace him. But Srinivasa Iyer refused this invitation as he found difficulty in managing the college. Since the compulsion of the queen, he accepted this invitation and served as the Principal for next 23 years.
Awards for Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer
He became the youngest to receive the Music Academy’s Sangeetha Kalanidhi award in the year 1947. Then he got the Sangeet Natak Academy award and Isai Perarignar award from the TamilNadu Government in the year 1953. Later he got the Kalidas Samman award from the Government of Madhya Pradesh.
During the period 1957 to 1960, he became the chief Producer of Carnatic Music at the All India Radio station in Madras. In the November 1963, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer at his 55th age relieved from the Principal post, after he made this request to the Chief Minister. He also got an honorary doctorate from the University of Kerala in the year 1979. Later he made the performance with M.Balamuralikrishna at the Thyaga Brahma Sabha in 1997. Despite his profession as a musician, Srinivasa Iyer served as the great teacher for his students.
Death
Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer died on 31st October 2003