Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar

 

 Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar - "Iyengarval"

(Images of Shri Iyengarval can be found here:)

Short 'bio:'

Shri Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar was born on May 19th, 1890 to Tiruvengadam 

Iyengar and Chellammal in Ariyakkudi, Tamil Nadu.

Throughout his career, Shri Iyengarval learned from legends and stalwarts including 

Pudukottai Malayappa Iyer, Namakkal Narasimha Iyengar, and Ramanathapuram ‘Poochi’ Srinivasa Iyengar.

Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar's history and affiliation with the Madras Music Academy

Shri Iyengarval sang very often at the Madras Music Academy in the 1940's and early 1950's, 

but unfortunately went on a strike/had a standoff with the board for an unknown reason.

 Shri Palghat Mani Iyer who had had mutual respect with Iyengarval ever since their meeting, followed 

Shri Iyengarval's example and did not play at or interact with the Madras Music Academy after/during this 

time. For this reason, there are unfortunately no recordings of Shri Iyengarval and Shri Palghat Mani Iyer

in late 1950's and afterward, and it isn't likely that a concert before this time period has been recorded. 

Common accompanists:

Shri Iyengarval's most common and favorite/preferred accompanists were TN Krishnan and 

Palghat Mani Iyer, though others like Papa KS Venkataramaiah, Kumbakonam Rajamanikkam Pillai, 

Mysore T Chowdiah and Lalgudi Jayaraman, Pudukottai Dakshinamoorthy Pillai, and Pazhani

Subhramania Pillai each accompanied a good amount of times

Noteworthy lasting effects, ideas, and compositions:

Shri Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar paved the way for future musicians, perfecting the concert 'paddhati,' 

or method of setting up a concert (- the first concert style). This involved beggining the concert with a 

varnam, continuing with some krithis, (which in place of some sang padams or javalis), - (some of which 

will have an alaapana, or swaram, or neravel), and then a main piece, where they will elaborate more on 

than previous pieces, then the thani-avartanam will take place. After this, if the artist chooses, he may 

sing a RTP, or Ragam Tanam Pallavi in a raga that he chooses. He will start the pallavi in 1st speed, and 

then proceed to sing the different speeds for that pallavi, and then sing swaram and neravel on the 

pallavi, usually in many different ragams. This might be followed by a few light pieces, (usually from a 

tamil work like a 'tiruppugazh' or a 'tiruppavai,' though he usually sang many from both in one concert), 

or ending songs, followed by a thillana, and a mangalam.

Shri Ramanuja Iyengar also tuned the brlliant work composed by Andal, "Tiruppavai," which is extremely 

popular and sung often today - (Other than a select few who sing with their own tune, most sing the 

tiruppavais as tuned by Shri Iyengarval.

He himself many of these in each concert of his, and would often use some of their words for his 

virutthams/slokams (ex: the third tiruppavai - ongi ulagalanda).

Students and Disciples:

Shri Iyengarval's most famous disciples were Palghat KV Narayanaswamy, B Rajam Iyer, and 

Madurai Krishnan.

(Credits to wordpress.com and V Shriram,  a columnist and the secretary of the Music Academy board)