Thavil Kongampattu A.V.Murugaiyan

Thavil Kongampattu A V Murugaiyan (born 1964) is a thavil player from the Puducherry Union Territory in India.

In the year 2022, Govt of India conferred the Padma Shri award on Murugaiyan for his immense contribution for conserving the ancient Carnatic musical instrument thavil.

Early life and education Murugaiyan was born in Kongampattu village in Villupuram district in Tamil Nadu. Later he chose to live in Chinna Kottakuppam in Puducherry Union Territory. His father Vivekanandam was also a thavil musician and Murugaiyan learned the initial lessons in thavil from his father. He completed three years of study at the Govt Music College, Thiruvaiyaru and graduated with a degree in thavil. Later he learned everything about thavil from Valayapatti A R Subramaniam, a thavil exponent who had been honored with the Padma Shri award by Govt of India in the year 2007. The award is in recognition of his service as a "Renowned Thavil player and Guru from Puduchery - Vidwan conserving the ancient Carnatic musical instrument."

Other recognitions

Conferment of the Kalaimamani award, the highest civilian award in the state of Tamil Nadu, India (2006) Selection as "Asthana Vidwan" (court musician) of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham and Golden Temple, Sripuram