Valayapatti A.R. Subramaniam, the Sangita Kalanidhi designate for 2009 at The Music Academy is the first thavil vidwan to be honoured with the much coveted title. A cross-section of vidwans, including Sangita Kalanidhis, have appreciated the Music Academy's gesture in choosing a renowned Thavil vidwan to preside over this year's conference. Excerpts:
Sangita Kalanidhi T.N. Krishnan : He is an outstanding maestro of thavil with hands that play melodiously too. I still remember those days when I went to listen to him with Palghat Mani Iyer and Alathur Brothers. His style is a combination of soft and heavy sollus.
Sangita Kalanidhi M. Balamuralikrishna: Well, Valayapatti and the Thavil can be likened to the epic pairs - Lord Muruga and his Vel (spear) and Lord Rama and his Vil (bow).
Violin maestro Lalgudi G. Jayaraman: Thavil is indispensable for a nagaswaram concert. Valayapatti Subramaniam represents the renaissance of the Thavil with his innovations. He has given it a special status.
Nagaswara Vidwans Sembonar Kovil Brothers S.R.G.Sambandam-
S.R.G.Rajanna:
It is God's grace that he has been blessed with a good nadam in both the hands. His sounding on both the topi and valanthalai side is something unique. He has given the Thavil a universal recognition.
Sangita Kalanidhi T.K. Govinda Rao: I have known Valayapatti since his early days and been keenly observing his playing since then. Of the top ranking vidwans playing the Thavil, he has earned a reputation for his varied styles.
Sangita Kalanidhi T.V. Sankaranarayanan: Valayapatti has carved a niche for himself in the musical firmament. His perfect poise on stage, the erect posture, the supreme self-assurance born out of hard practice all through the years, the brilliant and effortless execution of ‘Nadai Bedhams,' astounding sound clarity have all made him a Thavil vidwan par excellence.
Sangita Kalanidhi Vellore G. Ramabhadran: I was first introduced to Valayapatti when he was a young man by (flute) T. Viswanathan. After listening to him I knew he would one day become a star in the field and it is now proved.
Sangita Kalanidhi A.K.C. Natarajan: There have been many Jambavans in the thavil field prior to Valayapatti such as Needamangalam Meenakshisundaram Pillai, Nachiar Koil Raghava Pillai and Valangaiman Shanmugasundaram Pillai to name a few. Following in their footsteps Valayapatti has innovated many modern sollus. It was he who gave the Thavil a special status by playing thani for more than an hour. His music pleased both learned and uninitiated.
Mridangam maestro Guru Karaikkudi Mani: Valayapatti made the public turn to him with his electrifying style. Many youngsters started following him. I still remember Valangaiman's compliment: “His art is entirely different with its unique nadam.” There were days when we wouldn't miss any of his concerts, mainly to analyse his innovations.
