Alegend in his own times, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer undoubtedly was one of the most respected and venerated musicians of India, perhaps the most respected in South India and aptly described as the Pithamahar of Carnatic Music. His lineage was great. His uncle (mother's brother) was Violin maestro Tirukodikkaval Krishna Iyer. His tutelage was under his cousin Semmangudi Narayanaswami Iyer who was also a violinist, Gottuvadyam Sakharama Rao, Umayalpuram Swaminatha Iyer and Maharajapuram Vishwanatha Iyer. His sishya parampara includes TN Krishnan, VR Krishnan, TM Thyagarajan, PS Narayanaswamy, V Subrahmanyam, MS Subbulakshmi, Kadayanallur Venkatraman, K.R.Kedaranathan, Seetha Rajan, Palai Ramachandran and T M Krishna.

He had won several awards that include Rajya Seva Nirata from the Maharaja of Travancore, Sangita Kalanidhi from the Music Academy, Rashtrapati Award from the President of India, Raga Ratnakara from the Sringeri Sharada Peetam, Isai Perarignar from the Tamil Isai Sangam, Padma Bhushan, Sangita Kalasikhamani from the Indian Fine Arts Society, Sangita Kalaratna from the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Fellowship of Sangita Natak Academy, Doctorate from the Kerala University, Kalidas Samman from the MP Govt., and the coveted Padma Vibhushan.



He was a gifted speaker. He was responsible after Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar, in compiling all the compositions of Swati Tirunal, while serving as Principal of the Swati Tirunal Academy, from 1941 to 1963. He was later Chief Producer AIR for three years. He had also served as the Vice President of the Music Academy, Chennai. He had authored numerous books on compositions which he set to music. He was also extremely witty. His speeches at various functions were full of anecdotes and apt comments. What was remarkable was his ability to recall names, places, incidents, personalities almost until he breathed his last.

On the Occasion of his centenary celebration Chennaionline pays its tributes to the Bhishma Pithamaha.Chennaionline is offering you the download of thirty four of his select renderings at a nominal cost.

Long Live Semmangudi