Mudicondan Venkatarama Iyer
| Mudikondan Venkatrama Iyer | |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 October 1897 Mudicondan, Tiruvarur district, Tamilnadu |
| Died | September 13, 1975 (aged 77) Chennai, Tamilnadu |
| Occupation | vocalist |
| Parent(s) | Chakrapani Iyer, Kamakshi |
Mudikondan Venkatarama Iyer (Tamil: முடிகொண்டான் வெங்கடராம ஐயர் October 15, 1897 - September 13, 1975) was a South Indian Carnatic music singer and musicologist. He was also known as Mudikondan - the name of his native village.
Venkatarama Iyer was born in Mudicondan, a small village in the Nannilam taluk of Tiruvarur district in Tamil Nadu, India to parents Chakrapani lyer and Kamakshi. His father was a singer of Hindu religious hymns while his maternal grandfather Srivanchiyam Swaminatha lyer rendered padams and javalis with lilt that earned him the pet name 'talukku' Swaminatha Iyer. His uncle Bommalattam Mani Iyer was also a famous musician.
Mudicondan's father wanted him to learn English, so he went to College in Chennai (then called Madras) after school. However, his father died, which forced him to leave college and return to his village. He then decided to receive formal training in Carnatic music. He furthered his education with help from Konerirajapuram Vaidyanatha Iyer. He learned tala and laya from a 'Tavil Vidwan' known as Ammachatram Kandaswami Pillai. Simizhi Sundaram Iyer taught him the bhava aspect. Swaminatha Iyer came from Saint Tyagaraja's lineage while Sundaram Iyer was from Muthuswami Dikshitar's lineage. This ensured that Mudicondan acquired a very rich repertoire of Krithis.
He also spoke many languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Sanskrit and English, had a working knowledge of Astrology and, Ayurveda, and frequently prepared herbal medicines at home.
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