There is no better way to seek the blessings of a guru than to commemorate his memorial day. The renowned Mridanga Vidwan Pudukottai Dakshinamurthi Pillai gave a unique identity to Mridangam. A multi faceted personality he was adept in playing Mridangam, Kanjira and reciting Konnakol ( oral mnemonics) and had a legion of Sishyas notable among them being Pudukottai Dakshinamurthi Achariar who groomed several disciples and the famous Pudukottai style came into existence which is a distinct genre.

An off shoot of the famed Pudukottai musical tree is Trichy Thayumanavan a stellar disciple of Pudukottai Dakshinamurthi Achariar.Trichy Thayumanavan is a famous Mridangist who imbibed the nuances of the art from his guru. A devoted disciple Thayumanavan made it customary to celebrate the guru pooja of Dakshinamurthi Pillai for many years.

His brain child Guru Priya laya vidyala nurtures many students of music who have made it big in the musical fraternity. Thus the 72rd guru pooja of Dakshinamirthi pillai was celebrated in a grand scale with sincerity and devotion by students of Guru Priya Laya Vidyalaya under the able guidance of Trichy Thayumanavan. This year it was held on the 8th of june at Uraiyur Trichy.

The morning pooja at Subramaniya temple kick started the day's agenda. The Aradhana to Dakshinamurthi pillai was held at a marriage hall .Many eminent musician andparticipated in the mega event. The continuous rendering of songs by musicians was an aural treat. The budding and seasoned artistes showcased their talents by performing to connoisseurs and layman. Since it is a regular feature to honor eminent musicians every year Tanjore Venkatesa Iyengar and Kottaiyur Kodi Sundaram a renowned Nagaswara vidwan were felicitated this year. The award carries a citation and a cash prize.

Truly, It was a confluence of styles as the artistes converged to pay their respects to the torch bearer of Pudukottai school.

(With inputs from Trichy Murali)

Mira