Ghatam exponent E.M. Subramaniam (67) passed away on Thursday after a brief illness.
‘EMS’, as he was known in the music circles, was the son of mridangam exponent Mahadeva Iyer and brother of E.M. Panchapakesa Iyer. Having learnt under his father, he began performing from the age of eight.
Violin exponent Madurai Balu, who performed EMS’ last rites, said the ghatam expert had accompanied all the top percussionists.
EMS was a grade A ghatam artiste with All India Radio and was awarded the Kalaimamani award by the State government in 2000. He also worked as a professor at Government Music College. “He was a bachelor and several of his students were by his side till the end,” said Mr. Balu.
