Kumbakonam Sri M. Rajappa Iyer was born in 1916. He underwent 'Gurukulavasam' from two renowned Mridangam maestros Sri Alaganambi Pillai and Sri Rangu Iyengar. After an arduous and comprehensive training both in mridangam and ghatam, Sri Rajappa Iyer commenced his musical career by accompanying on the mridangam and ghatam to various distinguished vidwans of yesteryears such as Ariyakkudi Sri Ramanujam Iyengar, Sri Srirangam Iyengar, Ramnad Sri Krishnan, Sri Chembai Bhagavatar, Semmangudi Sri Srinivasa Iyer, Veenai Sri Chittibabu and other eminent personalities.

 

Sri Rajappa Iyer had formulated a unique structure of percussion lessons by innovatively incorporating his own style of fingering for the benefit of learners of mridangam and ghatam. He has had hundreds of students and disciples spread over globally.

 

Layodaya, an organisation founded by him, considers his contribution to the world of mridangam fraternity as an 'invaluable treasure' and observes ''Gurusmaranam Day'' on every 5th of March. This year, we the disciples deem fit to honor Guruvayur Sri Durai, one of the veteran vidwans who has been serving the music society for several years.

 

We have great pleasure in extending our invitation for the 'Gurusmaranam Day' and request you to grace the occasion to remember and cherish the great heritage that Sri Rajappa Iyer has left behind.

 

K. R. Ganesh

and

LAYODAYA

 

invites you for the Gurusmaranam Day of

 

‘Laya Pitha Maha” Kumbakonam Sri. M. Rajappa Iyer

 

on 5th of March 2009 at 6pm

                                             

at

 

  Sri Thyagaraja Vidwath Samajam,

Mylapore, Chennai-600004.

 

Presided by: Padma Bhushan Sangeetha Kalanidhi Sri. B. Rajam Iyer

 

Chief Guest: Padma Bhushan Sangeetha Kalanidhi Sri T. N. Seshagopalan

 

 

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Programme

 

 

6 pm                Vedaparayanam

 

6:30 pm           Welcome address by K. R. Ganesh

 

6:40pm            Tani Avarthanam by

V. Srinivasan and V. Muthuraman (Double Mridangam)

 

7 pm                Multi Media Documentary of  

Laya Pitha Maha Kumbakonam Sri. M. Rajappa Iyer

 

7:30pm            Honouring Guruvayur Sri. Durai

by

Padma Bhushan Sri .B. Rajam Iyer and

            Padma Bhushan Sri T. N. Seshagopalan

 

8 pm                Grand Solo by Guruvayur Sri Durai

Sri T. V. Vasan - Ghatam

 

8:30 pm           Mangalam