This year, the ‘Isai Perarignar’ title will be given to nagaswaram artiste, Madurai M.P.N. Ponnusamy who became famous for his performance in Thillana Mohanambal, a classic Tamil feature film of 1968.
He and his brother, late M.P.N. Sethuraman, played the nagaswaram off screen in the movie that starred Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini.
Oduvar Sami Dandapani will be awarded ‘Pann Isai Perarignar’ of the Sangam. A native of Tirukadaiyur and an alumnus of the music college of Annamalai University, he is currently serving the Siva temple in London.
Ponnusamy is the grandson of eminent nagaswaram artiste and scholar, Madurai Ponnusamy Pillai, who penned ‘Poorvika Sangitha Unmai’ that denied the existence of 40 ‘vivadhi’ ragas. His father M.P. Natesa Pillai was also a nagaswaram vidwan.
The awards, including a gold medal, a citation, and a cash prize of Rs. 10,000 each, will be presented to them on December 21, the inaugural day of the music festival of the Sangam.
Keywords: Isai Perarignar, Madurai M.P.N. Ponnusamy, Nagaswaram
