Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan no more!
Renowned violinist Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan passed away on 8th September, 2008 after a brief illness. He was 73. He is survived by his wife V. Bagirathi, sons V.R. Shekar, V. Srinivasan, V. Sridhar, V. Balasubramanian and daughter Bhanumathi Ramakrishnan.
This maestro has worked in the company of stalwarts like Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Maharajapuram Santhanam and Chittoor Subramanya Pillai while he was a young lad.
After making a mark in classical music, he forayed into film music (through Vaa Raja Vaa) and took Carnatic music to the common man. He had an uncanny knack of presenting Carnatic music to their liking. This talent, coupled with his warm personality and penchant for impromptu renditions and experiments, made him famous with everyone. Kunnakudi is best remembered for his composition ‘Marudhamalai Mamaniyae Murugaiya’; the fact that it was remixed recently in Arjun’s Marudhamalai stands testimony to Vaidyanathan’s popularity and his ability to reach masses. This master violinist teamed up with Valayapatti Subramaniam, another great violinist, and experimented a lot on ragas and renditions.
The most attractive quality about Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan was his friendliness and the ease with which he socialized with all. His concerts were appreciated by connoisseurs of Carnatic music and common man alike. People cheered and enjoyed when he would twist and bend the strings of violin dextrously with his bow, creating sounds that people never knew existed or could hardly imagine. Audiences cheered more when he displayed a quizzical look on his face as if to ask “How was that one?”
On mornings of festive days, people would religiously tune into his special TV shows. Vaidyanathan, the master violinist, was the Carnatic musician with the deepest and widest reach in every sector of society.
Vaidyanathan was also an able administrator and held the office of Secretary of Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nadaga Mandram and President of Raga Research Centre.
This talented musician won innumerable awards, including Padma Shri, Sangeetha Mamani, Sangeeth Natak Academy Award, and Carnataka Isaignani Award.
Galatta.com expresses its condolences to the grieving family.
