Papa Venkataramiah

Papa Venkataramiah was born on September 12, 1901 in Karur as the second son of violinist Karur Srikantiah and Meenakshi. Like Tyagaraja, he belonged to the Mulakanadu sect of Telugu-speaking Brahmins.

He claimed kinship of blood and music with Matrubhootiah, the Devudu Brothers, and Sangita Kalanidhi Karur Chinnaswami Iyer. His father Srikantiah was a disciple of Chinna Devudu and helped establish a music school in Esplanade, Madras.

Papa had his early training under Chinnaswami Iyer. He wished to become Govindaswami Pillai's disciple in 1920, when Pillai came to Madras for a concert connected with Veena Dhanammal's family. Papa was accepted, and it became a turning point in his career.

Papa admired his guru's tanam and swara improvisations. Although illness interrupted some of Pillai's teaching, Papa continued to practise in the company of vocalist Chittoor Subramania Pillai.

His son V. Tyagarajan became a prominent violinist. T. N. Krishnan was deeply inspired by Papa's style, and K. V. Narayanaswamy also studied with him for a period.

The Music Academy of Madras conferred the title Sangeeta Kalanidhi on him when he presided over its annual conference in 1962, and he received Kalaimamani from the Tamil Nadu State Government in 1967. He retired from the profession and devoted his remaining time to practice, self-edification, and re-education.