Layodaya, an organisation founded by mridangam vidwan Kumbakonam M. Rajappa Iyer, observed its third ‘Gurusmaranam Day,’ in memory of the maestro on March 5, at Thiagaraja Vidwath Samajam, Mylapore. Guru Karaikkudi Mani presided and M.S. Pattabhiraman who was to be the chief guest, paid accolades through his recorded message sent for the occasion. T.K. Murthy and Kumbakonam S. Viswanatha Iyer were honoured with a purse for their contribution to the field of Carnatic music. The disciples of Rajappa Iyer led by K.R. Ganesh (son and disciple) paid homage to their guru.
Palani C. Kumar and Kalakkadu R. Srinivasan, senior disciples, opened the evening’s events with a thani avartanam. A multimedia presentation of Rajappa Iyer’s life and service to the cause of Carnatic music followed. Karaikkudi Mani spoke about Iyer’s formulation of a unique structure of percussion lessons and creating an effective unwritten syllabus that incorporated his own style of fingering, which is recognised as ‘Rajappa Iyer School.’
T.K. Murthy’s brief and lively percussion ensemble, with his disciples B. Sivaraman (mridangam), V. Anirudh Athreya (kanjira) and N. Guruprasad (ghatam) proved an apt finale.
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