Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer (xxxx-xxxx)

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Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer,renowned as a brilliant and innovative vocalist was born of a family with many musical associations and affinities. Shri Rama lyer, his father was himself a good vocalist. Viswanatha Iyer was trained initially by Swaminatha lyer of Umayalpuram and later by Thanjnvur Rangappayar. Swaminatha lyer brought him up in the Umayalpuram patantharam one of the few authentic traditions of the Thiyaga Brahmam’s immortal compositions.

An unique feature about his music was his great success in raga elaboration in great detail. The raga alaapana of Mohanam was one of his specialties. His has been hailed as the success of 'kalpana sangeetha', music rich with imagination in raga elaboration and swara singing,a specialty of his.

Viswanatha Iyer had his own preferences in raga selection and kritis. Among his special favorites, pride of the place goes to Mohanam, closely followed by Aarabhi, Darbar, Panthuvarali, Kalyani, Hari Kambhoji, Khamas, Kambhoji and Thodi. He also mastered almost all compositions of Thyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshithar, Syama Sasthri, Patnam Subramania Iyer and Gopalakrishna Bharathi.

He was a great admirer of classic Hindustani Music and would hear Khan Sahib Abdul Kharim Khan and Bhai Kesar Bhai.

Maharajapuram Viswanatha lyer was an accomplished mrudangist as well.

His noted disciples include Semmangudi Srinivas lyer, Mannarbgudi Sambasiva bhagavatar and his own son Maharajapuram Santhanam.

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