Pudukottai Dakshinamurthy Pillai (1875-1937)

Palghat Mani Iyer often referred to him as Laya Medhai or Genius of Rhythm.A disciple of the percussion pioneer Manpoondia Pillai, known as the Lion of Pudukottai, Dakshinamurthy Pillai carved a niche for himself in the field of percussion with his vidwat, energy and pleasing demeanour.

Surprisingly, Dakshinamurthy showed no great aptitude for his art until he was 18. His father and grandfather were employed in the state treasury and he entered service as the palace guard at Pudukottai and worked there for three years. He learnt to play the ghatam from Pandaram and the mridangam from Tanjavur Narayanaswami Appa. At the age of 25, he came under the guidance of the genius Manpoondia Pillai.

Starting his career in Balamani Ammal’s drama troupe and musical discourses, he rose to fame with the concert opportunities that started coming to him.

He played for many leading artistes of the day and was an inspiration for many younger giants like Karaikudi Sambasiva Iyer and Konerirajapuram Vaidyanatha Iyer.

Azhaganambi and Dakshinamurthy and Palghat Mani Iyer and Dakshinamurthy often paired on the mridangam and the khanjira to be a big hit on the concert platform.

Harikesanallur Muttiah Bhagavatar, who had high regard for his musicianship, described him as the third veena accompanying the famous veena duo of Karaikudi.

Dakshinamurthy Pillai occupied a cherished place in the hearts of fellow musicians and rasikas. His pupils included Palani Subramania Pillai,Tanjavur Ramadas, Palghat Mani Iyer, Devakottai Sunder Raj and Tangavelu Pillai.

A devout person, Dakshinamurthy Pillai took to sanyasam and the name of Chinmayananda Guru.