Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, the doyen among Carnatic musicians, died in Chennai on
31st October. He was 95.

The end came at his residence around 10 a.m., when many of Semmangudi's family
members were by his side. He was not keeping good health in the past week and his
food intake had come down gradually. He is survived by three sons and two daughters.

Considered the `Pitamaha' among Carnatic musicians, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer was
born on July 25, 1908 as the third son of Radhakrishna Iyer and Dharmasamvardhini
Ammal. He started learning classical music in 1916, initially from Semmangudi
Narayanaswamy Iyer. He then came under the tutelage of Gottu Vadhyam Vidwan
Tiruvidaimurudur Sakharama Rao and, then, under Umayalpuram Swaminatha Iyer. His
training was complete under another acclaimed vocalist of yesteryear, the late
Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer. He gave his first concert in 1926 at a temple at
Kumbakonam.

A recipient of the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan awards, Semmangudi had
also won the prestigious Sangeetha Kalanidhi title from the Music Academy, Chennai.

On hearing the news of his death, prominent musicians including Lalgudi Jayaraman,
Kunnakudi Vaidhyanathan and K.J. Yesudas, visited the doyen's residence in south
Chennai and paid floral tributes. On behalf of the Tamil Nadu Government, the
Education Minister, S. Semmalai, placed a wreath and paid homage to the veteran
musician. Leaders, musicians, artists and music sabhas conveyed their condolences and
paid tributes to Semmangudi. - courtesy 'The Hindu'

Sangeet Profile: Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer