Lalgudi Gopala Iyer

Lalgudi Gopala Iyer was born in June 1900 as one of the two sons of Valadi Radhakrishna Iyer. His elder brother Kandaswami Bhagavathar lived in Madurai and supported the family while Gopala Iyer remained in the village.

A serious illness during his school years became a turning point. His brother took him to the ascetic Sadguru Swami Gnanabhodananda, and Gopala Iyer felt his health recover in the Swami's presence. He then stayed with the Swami for seven and a half years before returning home.

The time he spent with the Swami gave him a detachment that helped him later in life. Having learnt music earlier from his father and brother, Gopala Iyer taught eager learners and later started a school in Lalgudi.

He trained his own children, including his son Jayaraman, along with daughters, grandchildren, and many other students. He and his elder brother were both good violinists and accompanied major vocalists of their time.

Gopala Iyer was a versatile musician who could play instruments beyond the violin. He moved to Madras in 1946 to support the prospects of his son Jayaraman, who later credited his success to his father's pure tradition and strict discipline.