Kumbakonam Rajamanickam Pillai

Rajamanickam Pillai was born on August 5, 1898 at Kumbakonam and was connected with Alangudi near Nidamangalam. His mother Kamalathammal, of the Isai Velalar community, was deeply interested in developing his musical talents, and he was brought up by his aunt Rathnammal.

He trained in vocal music under Nagaswaram Kandaswami Pillai, Tiruvisanallur Pallavi Narayanaswami Ayyar, and Pandanallur Chinnaswami Pillai. He trained in violin under Tirukodikaval Ramaswami Ayyar for four years and later stopped vocal music on advice, as violin suited his genius.

Rajamanickam Pillai received guidance from Kumbakonam Flute Nagaraja Rao and Umayalpuram Swaminatha Ayyar. A classicist, he avoided acrobatics and sudden flashes. His playing was dignified, masterly, chaste, and satisfying.

He played for leading artistes and was honoured at the courts of Ramnad, Cochin, Ettayapuram, Travancore, and Mysore. He became Asthana Vidwan at Travancore in 1940 and at Ettayapuram in 1942.

He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1959, Isai Perarignar from Tamil Isai Sangam, and Sangita Kalanidhi from the Music Academy in 1948. His disciples included M. M. Dandapani Desikar, Mayuram Govindaraja Pillai, Sambandam Pillai, Krishna Swami Iyengar, Janardhanam Pillai, Ramamurthy Pillai, Komalavalli Srinivasan, Savitri Satyamurthy, Kumbakonam Rajeswari, Mythili, and Rajalakshmi.