M. D. Ramanathan Biography 
M. D. Ramanathan was a Carnatic musician and vocalist from Palakkad which was included in Madras Province before Indian Independence (now belongs to Kerala). He was the favourite and closest student of great Carnatic vocalist Tiger Varadachariar. He used the word Varadadasa as his mudra, in respect for his Guru. Ramanathan composed more than 300 songs in carnatic music in Tamil, Telugu and Sanskrit languages. He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1974 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1975 for his contributions to Indian art and music. He was given the title of 'Sangeetha Kalasigamani' by Indian Fine Arts Society and he also served as a member of the Madras Music Academy's Experts Committee.
Manjapara Devesa Ramanathan is his full name. His native village is Manjapara of Palakkad District, Kerala. He was born to a music teacher on 20 May 1923. His schooling and college studies were completed at Palakkad itself and he graduated with a BSc degree in Physics from Victoria College. After graduation he moved to Chennai with his father to find a good music teacher. In 1944 he was the only student, who got selected to the first year of studies at Kalakshetra for the newly started graduation course named Sangeeta Siromani. Very soon he emerged as the most favourite student of Tiger Varadachariar.
After studies he started his career in Kalakshetra itself as a music teacher. He assisted his guru during his early days at college. Later he became a professor and finally the Principal of the art school. Known for his unique style of singing, Ramanathan rendered songs at an extremely slow pace which helps the listeners to catch the meaning of each and every word of a composition. Kedaram, Kambhoji and Hamsadhwani were his favourite ragas. He starts krithi from the anupallavi and then going to the pallavi.
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Updated: January 28, 2016
