Galaxy of Composers
         
POST-TRINITY COMPOSERS
         
PAPANASAM SIVAN (1890 - 1973)
      
Musical Background: He received his formal music training from Noorani Mahadeva Bhagavatar and Samba Bhagavatar. He was also highly influenced by the famous singer Konerirajapuram Vaidyanatha Iyer.

Region: He was born in Polaham, Tanjavur district, Tamilnadu.

Contribution: A prolific composer, he has composed around 2,500 songs in a variety of ragas. He composed for and performed in theatrical productions, both as singer and actor. He was also a teacher at Kalakshetra, one of the most respected institutions in Madras, started by Rukmini Arundale, between 1934 and 1939. In 1935, he started composing for films, but also did a stint as an actor, when he acted in four movies. Among his compositions are many kritis and varnams. He was known as 'Tamil Tyagaraja'.

       

Theme: He has composed devotional songs besides songs with social themes. He has also composed songs on National leaders.

Languages used: Tamil, Sanskrit and Telugu.

Signature: Since his original name was Ramayya, he used the mudra Ramadas in his compositions. Not all his compositions contain his mudra.

Popular Compositions: Nan oru vilayattu bommaya (Navarasakannada), Kapali (Mohanam), Karpagame (Madhyamavati) etc.

        

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