Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan

A top performer, arresting violinist, innovator and an artiste of varied interests, Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan is a phenomenon and a class by himself. He is popular; caters to and satisfies diverse sections of the public according to the taste, appreciation and expectations of each. A soloist of merit, his play reflects his own different moods and the demands of his audience with whom he establishes and enjoys rapport. He dwells with ease and competence at the highest and the lowest octaves. His speed ranges are the envy of a Milkha Singh and a Jesse Owens. The feature film ‘Todi’, his full length presentation of rich music with T.N. Seshagopalan is a success.

One comes across descriptions like:

‘A veritable dynamo’

‘Petulent and eccentric brilliance’ and

‘Adventurous and romantic impetuosity’.

Flashes of such descriptions would cross the mind of the listener when Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan is at his best. ‘The element of his style is sound and tala manipulation; technical artifices and subtleties bring out a miracle or near-miracle of titillating music.’ He keeps thousands of his audience spellbound with his cuts, blood-curdling thrusts, incursions and strident rendition and kite-flying in the untramelled vastness of sound manipulation. He could dissect phases and phrases of swara, kriti or swara in a manner, measure and style totally his own and copyright.

Is he unorthodox? May be; but he could be within the framework of the theory of Classic Carnatic music. Where he is adventurous, romantic or impetuous, he caters to a vast audience. Sometimes, he is an extended, exaggerated version of the spirit of adventure, encouraged and spurred by the spirit of an avant garde. This spirit led him more and more to light music and film music in both of which he has established himself as a wizard.

Here is his own averment on his philosophy:

"People say, a few of them, that Kunnakudi’s concert is a circus. I ask, ‘when there are so many changes taking place in languages, art and drama, why should music alone lag behind… If they want pure classical music, I can offer them; but not on the concert stage. Let them come to my house. I’ll play exclusively for them." (Sruti Nos 63/64)

Is he bidding ‘good bye’ to classical Carnatic music concerts? Here is a view to contra:

‘Dhatu and matu can go hand…music is marred by gimmicry and theatrics…

(Jaya Bharadwaj in Sruti 62)

Vaidyanathan has had a hectic, varied life as an artiste. Since 1980, he is Secretary, Shri Tyagabramha Mahotsava Sabha, Tiruvaiyaru. Was appointed State Artiste by Tamil Nadu Government in 1984. He is a Member, South Zone Cultural Centre, Government of India since 1986. He was appointed Asthana Vidwan, Kanchi Mutt in 1987.

Has received the following titles and honours:

Akashwani Awards, 1981 and 1987

Violin Chakravarti

Ezhilisai Endhal

Thirai Isai Mannan

Violin Award at Singapore

Kalaimamani Tamilnadu Eyal Isai Nataka Mandram.

Bharatha Violin Vadya Bhaskara H.H. Sri Santhananda Swamigal

Thantri Nada Mani H.H. Sri Jayendra Saraswathi of Kanchi

Violin Samrat Karnataka Sangeetha Sabha, New Delhi

Sangeetha Sagaram Cultural Centre of Performing Arts, Madras (1988)

Isai Perarignar Tamil Isai Sangham (1989)

Concert tours: Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan has deep faith in the therapeutical merits of music. At the age of 15, he played on his violin, at the instance of Dr. Ganapati Subramanyam of Karaikudi Bairavi raga for hours by the side of his father who was in coma. The patient slowly regained consciousness and lived for a decade. He prayed for rain in ragas Mega Ranjani, Jalarnavam and Amirtha varshini.