Thanjavur R. Ramamoorthy

Tanjavur R. Ramamoorthy (தஞ்சாவூர் ர.ராமமூர்த்தி) (15 June 1929 - 22 June 2019 ) was a vidwan in Indian classical music, playing Carnatic music on the mridangam, an ancient Indian percussion instrument. The mridangam is the primary rhythmic accompaniment in a Carnatic music ensemble, and in the Dhrupad genre, where it is known as a pakhawaj.

Early life and training Ramamoorthy was born to a famous violinist, R. Rathinam Pillai and Krishnammal.

In 1938 he entered into gurukulavasam under Brahmarshi Biravam Pillai at the age of 9 On 28 January 2018 he was presented with the TCM Lifetime Achievement Award during the sixth annual day celebrations of Trichy Carnatic Musicians (TCM), a group of young musicians of the city.

Career in All India Radio (AIR) He was appointed Artist of All India Radio by the British Government on 5 September 1945. He served under British Government up to 1947, and 42 years in Indian Government as a mridhangam artist. In 1946 he accompanied vocal programmes of the great vidwans Papanasam Sivan, Thiruvaduthurai T. N. Rajarathinam Pillai. Subsequently, All India Radio preferred a method of categorising the artists in various grades through a panel committee in 1950. He has been chosen into the "A" Grade Artist by the first panel committee.

On 11 March 1950 he has accompanied with mridhangam to a vocal concert by Sathoor A. G. Subramania Iyer in an "External Service" programme recording on special request from All India Radio, New Delhi. On 3 July 1951 while Balamurali Krishna (Padmashri Awardee - 1971, PadmaVibhusan Awardee - 1991) accompanied with viola to G. N. Balasubramaniam (Guruji of M. L. Vasanthakumari-(Padmashri Awardee - 1967)) a genius in vocal, he has accompanied with mridhangam, at Chennai on special invitation for a national programme from All India Radio, Chennai. On 4 July 1951 he has accompanied Balamurali Krishna Viola-solo at AIR Chennai as per the special request of Balamurali Krishna. (Padmashri Awardee-1971) On 12 February 1960 he has accompanied Voleti Venkateswaralu a vocalist at Vijayawada in a Sangeetha Sammelan programme. On 12 November 1961 he has accompanied Trichy Swaminatha Iyer for his vocal concert in a Sangeetha Sammelan Programme at Bangalore. On 8 November 1963 he accompanied Madurai S. Somasundaram (Padmashri Awardee-1976), a famous vocalist for a Sangeetha Sammelan Programme at Trichy. On 9 April 1966 he accompanied Chithoor Subramania Pillai familiar vocalist (Guruji of Madurai S. Somasundaram) in a national Programme at New Delhi on a specific request from the AIR New Delhi. On 12 August 1973 accompanied flute concert of H. Ramachandra Sastri at Chennai All India Radio on special invitation. On 29 November 1975 he accompanied with Mridhangam to V. R. Kedharanathan, Vocalist in a Sangeetha Sammelan Programme. During 1975 he accompanied with single mridhangam for a Trio Violin Solo by Dr. L. Vaidhyanathan.(Padmashri Awardee-1989), Dr. L. Sankar, Dr. L. Subramaniam in a special programme at All India Radio, Trichy. On 15 November 1990 he accompanied on mridhangam in a Sangeetha Sammelan programme at Vijayawada to Angammali Shri. Jose. Organised ‘Thani Avarthanam’ and ‘Layakolam’ programmes (i.e.) mridhangam solos in rare and critical Thalas. One recognition of his Layakolam is published in ‘Akashwani’ issue dated 23.3.1980.

Collaboration with other notable musicians

He has accompanied notable musicians including the Bharat Ratna awardee M. S. Subbulakshmi, D. K. Pattammal, K. B. Sundarambal, M. L. Vasanthakumari, Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Madurai Mani Iyer, the Alathur Brothers, Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr.M.Balamurali Krishna, M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, C. S. Jayaraman, Sirkazhi Govindarajan, T. M. Soundararajan and K. J. Yesudas.