Dakshinamurthy Pillai Biography 
Pudukottai Dakshinamurthy Pillai was a great mridangam artist belonging to Pudukottai tradition of Carnatic music. He took lessons from Manpoondia Pillai, who founded the tradition in the 19th century. Dakshinamurthy Pillai was his disciple who acted as the chief architect of this tradition and later popularized it by his own means. He accompanied many Carnatic vocalists during the period, from 1875 to 1925. When he passed away in 1936, many columns filled almost all leading newspapers of south India, which itself shows the contribution given by this legend to the world of Carnatic music and Pudukottai tradition. A torch bearer of Pudukottai tradition, he also taught many disciples. Palani Subramania Pillai was among his prominent disciples.
Dakshinamurthy Pillai was born in Trichy, Tamil Nadu in December 1875. Cultivated cart driving was his hobby and he also spent about 3 years as a military ma.n Since young he was influenced by the music of Thanjavur Krishna Bhagavathar, Thanjavur Pakkari and Narayana Pai. He dreamt to become famous as the musician Chinmayananda Guru. He took lessons in mridangam from Manpoondia Pillai belonging to Pudukottai tradition. Later he accompanied many artists for their Carnatic concerts. This undisputed master among the tala accompanists regularly accompanied the veena exponents, Kariakkudi Brothers and he was often referred to as ‘third Veena’.
Pillai passed away at 7 p.m at his residence on Second Street, Pudukottah on May 26, 1936. He was 61. He had been suffering from high blood pressure and died due to heart failure. He was buried “close to the samathi of his father and grandfather, and thousands attended his funeral. All the shops in the Bazar Street were closed for one day, paying the tribute. Kanchipuram Naina Pillai, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar, Palani Subramania Pillai, the Alathur Brothers and M.S. Subbulakshmi were among his countless disciples. He also led a saint’s life. His daughter Kanakambujam was married to his disciple Trichy Thayumanavan. He built a temple for his guru, authored a book - The Life History of Dhakshinamoorthy Pillai, and also conducted guru pooja every year.
Published: N/A
Updated: March 20, 2016
