Ramanathapuram C S Murugabhoopathy

Ramanathapuram C. S. Murugabhoopathy (14 February 1914 – 21 March 1998), popularly referred to as CSM, was one of the most distinguished Mridanga maestros of the 20th century. He was a contemporary of Palghat Mani Iyer (1912–1981) and Palani Subramania Pillai (1908–1962).

Early life Born in the town of Ramanathapuram (also known as Ramnad) in Tamil Nadu, Murugabhoopathy obtained his early lessons in Mridanga from his father Chitsabai Servai (also Sirchabai Servai) and later on from Palani Muttiah Pillai (the father of Palani Subramania Pillai), both of whom were students of the great Pudukottai Manpoondia Pillai (read as Maamudia Pillai). Murugabhoopathy's elder brother C. S. Sankarasivam Bhagavatar was a strong influence in the development of Murugabhoopathy's musical style. He later on played alongside G. N. Balasubramaniam, Madurai Mani Iyer, M.K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Dr.M.Balamuralikrishna, M. D. Ramanathan, Ramnad Krishnan, T. M. Thiagarajan, Maharajapuram Santhanam, Madurai Somasundaram, Madurai T N Sheshgopalan, T.R.Mahalingam(flute), Mysore V. Doreswamy Iyengar (veena), Tirumakudalu Chowdiah (violin), T. N. Krishnan (violin), Lalgudi Jayaraman (violin) and other leading musicians in many concerts. Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award (1975) State Artist of Tamil Nadu (1979) Palghat Mani Iyer Award (1985)

Legacy CSM improvised the left hand playing technique with innovative movements of split fingers.