1/3/2023 0 Comments Thevaram class in chennai![]() ![]() Awards like the Tamil Nadu government's Kalaimamani Award were one of the many conferred on Swaminathan. A grade A' artiste with All India Radio since 1952, Swaminathan's musical discourses saw packed halls, with the audience comprising the ordinary clerk as well as the rich businessman, said Oliarasu, a senior Odhuvar. He would send him away with gifts," recalls Satyavel Muruganar, an engineering graduate turned Tamil scholar. "MGR used to say that listening to him gave him tremendous peace of mind. Former chief minister M G Ramachandran would routinely send word for Swaminathan whenever he felt stressed, and MGR inevitably found solace in Swaminathan's impromptu concert. Swaminathan became a celebrated Odhuvar - a scholar who chants the Shaivite scriptures in the manner deemed by the Nayanmars, spiritual Shaivite saints. Along the way, he picked up a degree in Carnatic vocal music from the Annamalai University and embarked on propagating the devotional music of Shaivite works. The reluctant pupil went on to become a star performer who enthralled devotees with Thevaram (holy hyms sung by Shaivite saints) concerts for decades. Swaminathan was quickly brought under the tutelage of Thirumarai Kalanidhi' R Velayutha Odhuvar. It took Swaminathan seven long years to make up his mind, but by 1942 when he turned 19, he allowed his gurus at the Dharmapuram Math to persuade him to agree. ![]() However, when he listened to the song Gnanakan Irundhum' sung by M K Thiagaraja Bhagavathar and to the songs of D K Pattammal, it gradually dawned on him that getting initiated into learning traditional music was perhaps not a bad idea at all for a youngster. CHENNAI: Like most 12-year olds, Dharmapuram P Swaminathan was interested only in listening to film songs and refused to learn classical music. ![]()
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