B. Rajam Iyer Biography 
B. Rajam Iyer was a Carnatic singer from Tamil Nadu. A recipient of Padma Bhushanin 2003 and Madras Music Academy's Sangeetha Kalanidhi in the year 1987, he was one of the leading Carnatic artists in the 20th century. He performed across south India, and also for Doordarshan and radio. He had also served as the "Top Grade Artiste" of All India Radio. He was a living authority in rendering Muthuswami Dikshitar’s kritis. Tamil Nadu State Government honoured him with Kalaimamani in 1981. Sangeetha Kalasikhamani in 1985 by The Indian Fine Arts Society and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1986 by Sangeet Natak Akademi are other major honours received by him. He passed away on 3 May 2009 aged 86. He was a member of the expert committee of the Madras Music Academy.
His full name is Balasubramaniam Rajam Iyer. He was born on 15 July 1922 in Karaikudi, Ramnad district, Tamilnadu. Balasubramania Iyer and Lakshmi Ammal were his parents. He started formal training in Carnatic music under Thirukokarnam Subbiah Bhagaathar, followed by Ganapathy Iyer of Kunnakudi. He also got opportunity to take advanced learning in Carnatic music from the legend Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, where he stayed with his guru for long 10 years to master the music. Iyer was a leading disciple of his guru, and later he became an exponent in this field.
He gave his first public performance in the year 1942. He was also a musicologist and composer, who composed many works. He set tunes and rhythm to all the 30 Tiruppaavai songs of Sri Andal, and also served as the tutor to the members of royal Travancore family in the mid-1940s. He brought the Tamil edition of Subbarama Dikshitar’s Sangita Sampradaya Pradarshini.
Published: July 28, 2018
Updated: July 28, 2018
