Koteeswara Iyer Biography 
Koteeswara Iyer was a Carnatic musician and singer who lived 1869 – 1938. Many famous musicians of 20th century have learnt music under him. He was a grandson of Kavi Kunjara Bharati, a great Carnatic musician of 19th century. He got opportunity to study under some of the great musicians of 19th century like Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar and Patnam Subramania Iyer. Iyer created many compositions in Tamil, and in other languages too. Famous vocalists and devotional singers, K. Somasundaram and K. Veeramani are his grandsons. He has worked as an English Professor, and also authored a few books during his lifetime.
Koteeswara Iyer was born in the year 1869. He is of Tirunelveli origin. Born into a family of strong Carnatic music background, he too followed the footsteps of his forefathers, and so are younger generations too, who carried the legacy. Born as the grandson of Carnatic and devotional singer, Kavi Kunjara Bharati, he inherited his musical talents from his forefathers, and also formally took lessons from him. Then he started assisting his father for music concerts. Later he started his own music concerts beginning with small kacheris, and singing many compositions and devotional songs composed by his legendary father.
He composed songs in all the 72 melakartha ragas, one among the first in Vaggeyakara tradition. He also wrote many books, and published a few written by his grandfather. Sundareshwarar Pathigam, KayarKanni Pathitru Pathanthathi, Indhiya Maanmiyam, Madurai Pottramarai Pathigam and Madurai Shanmugha Malai are the books authored by him. He completed his studies in English, later worked as an English Professor and after retirement, he translated a few works to English. He passed away in 1938.
Published: July 28, 2018
Updated: July 28, 2018
