Smt. D.K.Pattammal

At a time when the music scene was dominated by men and when women singers were scoffed, there burst into the scene, three great ladies who changed the face of music, and the role of women, forever. Popularly called the 'Female Trinity of Carnatic Music', these women made people sit up and take notice - with their magnificent voices and amazing mastery over the art. Bharat Ratna MS is one; M.L.Vasanthakumari is another. The third member of the trio is D.K.Pattammal.

Though she was not born into a family of musicians, her parents were great lovers of music and they shaped her musical career right from the very beginning. D.K.Pattammal had a great ear for music and from a very young age, would lisp the Sanskrit and Tamil verses her father uttered during everyday prayers. When he realised her talent, he did everything he could do nurture it.

D.K.Pattammal was fortunate to have support from lots of people - from her school   headmistress Ammukutty Ammal to the great Naina Pillai. Her dedication and concentration helped her to reproduce the complex pallavis and the demanding layas perfectly.  Her mastery over the languages Sanksrit and Telegu made it easy for her to sing those songs with feeling and devotion.

All her life, she has refused to dilute her music or make compromises. Quality and quantity is of paramount importance to this veteran and she says, "it is enough if I get a hundred sincere, discerning listeners. I will not lower my standards to reach out to the thousand or more."