Born in 1916, Rajappa Iyer was trained by two great legends of those times, Kumbakonam Azhaga Nambi Pillai and Kumbhakonam Rangu Iyengar. His performing career spanned over three decades, during which he accompanied stalwarts like Ariyakkudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Sathur Subramanian and many others.

The unique feature of this outstanding teacher who has been running a school for mridangam and ghatam for over five decades, is to employ an apt formula to enhance and enrich the creative skill of every student. . It is a matter of great pride that this grand master has shaped innumerable students who have been acclaimed today as excellent accompanists. It would be difficult to enumerate all the names of his disciples, many of whom are leading percussionists. Laya Vadya Kovida, an earlier title given to him describes him aptly as an Expert in Rhythm.