Tiger Varadachariar

Tiger Varadachariar (1876–1950) was a Carnatic music vocalist from what is now the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. He was also a noted teacher, whose students include names like S. Ramanathan, M. D. Ramanathan, S. R. Janakiraman, the brothers B. V. Lakshmanan and B. V. Raman.

Early life

Varadachariar was born on 1 August 1876 in Kolathur, Chingleput district.

Masilamani and Pedda Singaracharyulu encouraged him in his musical pursuits, and he studied under Patnam Subramania Ayyar for three years from the age of fourteen. However, financial family constraints required the young Varadachariar to take a position with the Survey Department at Calicut. He continued to pursue his musical interests, however, and when living in Mysore, he attracted the attention of Krishnaraja Wodeyar, who honoured him with the title of 'Tiger' and presented him with a 'thoda'.

Tiger Varadachari had lived for many years in Kaveripatnam then Salem District (now Krishnagiri). His humble home is still available as unaltered in Periyar St, Kaveripatnam.

Many of Varadachariar's family members also pursued careers in music. His father Ramanujachariar was a musical discoursed, his brother K.V. Srinivasa Ayyangar was a musicologist, and another brother K.V. Krishnamachariar was a veena player. Varadachariar also noted that he learned much from the singing of his sister.

Music

Varadachariar composed 'Eediname Sudinamu' for C.Rajagopalachariar's visit to Kalkshetra in 1948 as Governor General.

'Nidu Charanamule' (Simhendramadyamam) under the Mudra of Tyagaraja is actually a composition of the 'Three musketeers of Kaladipet', the Tiger Brothers.

+ Composition Type Raga Tala Language Shiva Perumane Geetam Madhyamavathi Adi tala Tamil Anname Varnam Arabhi Adi tala Tamil Ela Ne Vani Joli Varnam Saveri Adi tala Telugu Chala Ninne Varnam Kedaram Ata tala Telugu Karunai Kadale Varnam Kalyani Adi tala Tamil Al Ilai Mel Varnam Mohanam Adi tala Tamil Alai Kadal Tuyiloi Varnam Kambhoji Adi tala Tamil Anudhinam Inimaiyai Varnam Bhairavi Adi tala Tamil Devadi Devan Iru Varnam Kapi Adi tala Tamil Kadal Noikku Veru Varnam Abhogi Adi tala Tamil Chalamu Seyanela Varnam Hindolam Adi tala Telugu Kamalakshi Ninne Varnam Manirangu Mishra Jhampa Telugu Vandhana Monarinchithi Varnam Vachaspati Mishra Jhampa Telugu Manam Irangadhadheno Varnam Sahana Adi tala Tamil Sariyo Nee Seyyum Varnam Begada Adi tala Tamil Mahishasura Mardhini Varnam Jana Ranjani Adi tala Telugu Vanajakshi Varnam Jana Ranjani Mishra Jhampa Telugu Ehi Manmatha Koti (Lyrics by S. Venkatachala Shastri, tuned by Tiger Varadachariar Varnam Sriranjani Adi tala Sanskrit Nede Sudinamu Kriti Darbar Adi tala Telugu

Awards

Varadachariar was awarded the Sangeetha Kalanidhi by Madras Music Academy in the year 1932.