D. K. Pattammal
Encyclopedia
Damal Krishnaswamy Pattammal (28 March 1919 – 16 July 2009) was a prominent Carnatic music
ian and a playback singer
for film songs in many Indian languages. She along with her contemporaries M. S. Subbulakshmi
and M. L. Vasanthakumari
were (and still are) popularly referred to as the Female trinity of Carnatic Music. This trio initiated the entry of women into mainstream Carnatic Music. She has been appreciated all over the world by Carnatic music lovers.
, India
. She was named as Alamelu, but fondly called "Patta" as a child prodigy. Her father, Damal Krishnaswamy Dikshithar, who was deeply interested in music, inspired her to learn Carnatic music. Her mother, Kanthimathi (Rajammal), although a talented singer herself, was not permitted to sing even for friends or relatives in line with strict orthodox tradition. Despite her orthodox background, Pattammal sang and showed considerable music talent at an early age.
She received no formal gurukula training. As a child, Pattammal sat through the concerts, and on returning home, notated the kriti
s she heard, and key phrases of raga
s. Her brothers D. K. Ranganathan, D. K. Nagarajan, and D. K. Jayaraman
- later her vocal accompanists, helped her in this task. She also sang simple devotional hymns and songs her father taught her.
Later, she received tuition from an unnamed Telugu
-speaking musician, whom she called "Telugu vadyar" or "Telugu teacher". He'd also offered to teach her Telugu and Sanskrit
.
.
In 1929, at age 10, Pattamal gave her first radio performance for Madras Corporation Radio (now known as AIR
), and 3 years later, she gave her first public concert at Madras Rasika Ranjani Sabha in 1932. One year later, she moved to Chennai
to become a regular performer in concerts and gave her first performance at the Mahila Samajam (the Egmore Ladies Club), and won acclaim. In 1939, Pattammal married R. Iswaran. She quickly rose to stardom, and her musical career spanned more than 65 years.
D. K. Pattammal's knowledge was encyclopedic; she was considered as an authority on Muthuswami Dikshitar
's compositions, and is also known for her renditions of these. She learnt authentic versions of these compositions from Ambi Dikshithar, a descendant of Muthuswami Dikshithar, as well as Justice T. L. Venkatrama Iyer, an authority on Dikshithar's compositions. She popularised several Dikshithar's compositions in her concerts, and also sang Tiruppugazhs and Tevaram
s that she learnt from Appadurai Achari. Pattammal also learnt many compositions of Papanasam Sivan
, directly from the composer himself. She went onto popularise these compositions of Papanasam Sivan, as well as those of Subramania Bharathiyar, both in film and Carnatic music
.
Pattammal started a few revolutionary trends in Carnatic music. She was the first Brahmin
woman to have performed this genre of music publicly. Brahmins ranked as the highest in the caste
hierarchy prevalent in India in the early 20th century, and society considered it taboo for a Brahmin woman to perform on stage.
Pattammal was also the first woman to have performed Ragam Thanam Pallavi
in concerts. Ragam Thanam Pallavi
, which was classed as a male stronghold, is the most difficult concert item in Carnatic music, as it calls for great skill and a high degree of concentration to handle the rhythmic complexities involved. Pattammal went further to perform very complex Pallavi
s in intricate tala
s (rhythmic cycles); impressing and earning the respect of her male peers, connoisseurs and fellow-musicians. Her singing of pallavis was technically perfect, and aesthetically pleasing. For this reason, she became dubbed “Pallavi Pattammal”. She learnt a few pallavis and compositions from Naina Pillai, and several from Vidyala Narasimhalu Naidu, the nephew of Tirupati Narayanaswami Naidu, a prominent composer of javalis. Today, many female Carnatic musicians perform Ragam Thanam Pallavi
as the main item in their concerts.
. Although she received many offers to sing for films, she only accepted those that involved devotional or patriotic songs, and declined offers to sing romantic songs. The first film Pattammal sang in was Thyagabhoomi (1939). A scene, towards the end of the film, consisted of a group of freedom fighters marching in a procession, carrying the Indian National Congress party flag, with "Desa Sevai Seyya Vareer" being sung by Pattammal in the background. The song, which was played by Papanasam Sivan and written by Kalki R. Krishnamurthy
, highlighted the Freedom Movement and invited people to join. The fame that the film and the song generated led to both being banned by the British government.
Pattammal popularised several patriotic compositions of Subramania Bharathiyar. In Nam Iruvar
(1947), her renditions of "Vettri Ettu Dhikkum", and "Aaduvome Pallu Paduvome", a utopian creation celebrating a free India, went onto be big hits. In Rama Rajyam (1948), Pattammal popularised Subramania Bharathi's "Thoondir Puzhvinapol", while she popularised his composition, "Theeradha Vilayattu Pillai", in Vedala Ulagam
(1948). Pattammal's singing, along with the dancing of Baby Kamala
in the film, made the latter of these especially memorable. In AVM’s Vazhkai (1949), where Vyjayanthimala
was introduced in film, Pattammal also sang his "Bharatha samudhaayam vaazhgave". Pattammal had the rare honour of performing at the foundation-laying ceremony of the Bharati Memorial at Ettayapuram.
Pattammal also sang in other films including Mahatma Urangaar (1947), Pizhaikkum Vazhi (1948), Lavanya (1951). The last song Pattammal sang in film was at the age of 80 for the Tamil
film, Hey Ram
(2000). Ilaiyaraaja
and Kamal Haasan
carted recording equipment to her home and had her sing "Vaishnav Janato", a favourite of Mahatma Gandhi
, for the film.
Pattammal was one of the artists in Jana Gana Mana
video album compossed by A. R. Rahman
which was released on January 26, 2000 to mark the 50th year of the Indian Republic. Pattammal who was 80, is the most senior among of the rest of the other vocal artists in this video album.
, as well as numerous destinations around the world, including the United States
, Canada
, France
, Germany
, Switzerland
, Sri Lanka
and other countries.
, who sang with her in several concerts, and who himself received the Sangeetha Kalanidhi
in 1990. A few of her other popular students include her daughter-in-law Lalitha Sivakumar
, Geetha Rajashekar, her granddaughter Nithyasree Mahadevan
, Aishwarya Raghavan, and Bhavadhaarini Anantaraman. Pattammal has taught students from several countries.
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
ian and a playback singer
Playback singer
A playback singer is a singer whose singing is prerecorded for use in movies. Playback singers record songs for soundtracks, and actors or actresses lip-sync the songs for cameras, while the actual singer does not appear on screen.-South Asia:...
for film songs in many Indian languages. She along with her contemporaries M. S. Subbulakshmi
M. S. Subbulakshmi
Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi , also known as M.S., was a renowned Carnatic vocalist. She was the first musician ever to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor. She is the first Indian musician to receive...
and M. L. Vasanthakumari
M. L. Vasanthakumari
Madras Lalitangi Vasanthakumari , was a Carnatic musician and playback singer for film songs in many Indian languages. MLV and her contemporaries D. K. Pattammal and M. S. Subbulakshmi were popularly referred to as the "female trinity of Carnatic Music. A prime disciple of the G. N...
were (and still are) popularly referred to as the Female trinity of Carnatic Music. This trio initiated the entry of women into mainstream Carnatic Music. She has been appreciated all over the world by Carnatic music lovers.
Early life and background
Pattammal was born in an orthodox Brahmin family in Kancheepuram of Tamil NaduTamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. She was named as Alamelu, but fondly called "Patta" as a child prodigy. Her father, Damal Krishnaswamy Dikshithar, who was deeply interested in music, inspired her to learn Carnatic music. Her mother, Kanthimathi (Rajammal), although a talented singer herself, was not permitted to sing even for friends or relatives in line with strict orthodox tradition. Despite her orthodox background, Pattammal sang and showed considerable music talent at an early age.
She received no formal gurukula training. As a child, Pattammal sat through the concerts, and on returning home, notated the kriti
Kriti
-Structure:Kritis typically contain three parts#Pallavi. This is the equivalent of a refrain in Western music.#Anupallavi. The second verse, which is sometimes optional....
s she heard, and key phrases of raga
Raga
A raga is one of the melodic modes used in Indian classical music.It is a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is made...
s. Her brothers D. K. Ranganathan, D. K. Nagarajan, and D. K. Jayaraman
D. K. Jayaraman
D. K. Jayaraman , the renowned brother of D. K. Pattammal, was a Carnatic music singer.After learning music from his sister, he furthered his musical skills under many known masters in the field, including Muthiah Bhagavathar and Papanasam Sivan. Like his sister, Jayaraman was known for his moving...
- later her vocal accompanists, helped her in this task. She also sang simple devotional hymns and songs her father taught her.
Later, she received tuition from an unnamed Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
-speaking musician, whom she called "Telugu vadyar" or "Telugu teacher". He'd also offered to teach her Telugu and Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
.
Singing career
At age 8, Pattammal won first prize for singing Thyagaraja's "Raksha Bettare" in Bhairavi, at a competition conducted by C Subramanya Pillai (popularly known as Naina Pillai). Naina Pillai, whom Patta admired deeply, used to host Thyagaraja festivals in Kancheepuram every year, and was a veteran in the art of singing Ragam Thanam PallaviRagam Thanam Pallavi
Ragam Thanam Pallavi is a form of singing in Carnatic music which allows the musicians to improvise to a great extent. It is one of the most complete aspects of classical music, demonstrating the entire gamut of talents and the depth of knowledge of the musician. It incorporates raga alapana,...
.
In 1929, at age 10, Pattamal gave her first radio performance for Madras Corporation Radio (now known as AIR
All India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...
), and 3 years later, she gave her first public concert at Madras Rasika Ranjani Sabha in 1932. One year later, she moved to Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
to become a regular performer in concerts and gave her first performance at the Mahila Samajam (the Egmore Ladies Club), and won acclaim. In 1939, Pattammal married R. Iswaran. She quickly rose to stardom, and her musical career spanned more than 65 years.
D. K. Pattammal's knowledge was encyclopedic; she was considered as an authority on Muthuswami Dikshitar
Muthuswami Dikshitar
Muthuswami Dikshitar is a South Indian poet and composer and is one of the Musical Trinity of Carnatic music...
's compositions, and is also known for her renditions of these. She learnt authentic versions of these compositions from Ambi Dikshithar, a descendant of Muthuswami Dikshithar, as well as Justice T. L. Venkatrama Iyer, an authority on Dikshithar's compositions. She popularised several Dikshithar's compositions in her concerts, and also sang Tiruppugazhs and Tevaram
Tevaram
The Tevaram denotes the first seven volumes of the Tirumurai, the twelve-volume collection of Tamil Saivite devotional poetry. All seven volumes are dedicated to the works of the three most prominent Tamil poets - Campantar , Appar and Cuntarar...
s that she learnt from Appadurai Achari. Pattammal also learnt many compositions of Papanasam Sivan
Papanasam Sivan
Papanasam Sivan was a prominent composer of Carnatic music and a singer.A famous composer, Sivan was also known as Tamil Thyagayya. Using Classical South Indian as a base, Sivan created numerous hits popularised by M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and M. S...
, directly from the composer himself. She went onto popularise these compositions of Papanasam Sivan, as well as those of Subramania Bharathiyar, both in film and Carnatic music
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
.
Pattammal started a few revolutionary trends in Carnatic music. She was the first Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
woman to have performed this genre of music publicly. Brahmins ranked as the highest in the caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
hierarchy prevalent in India in the early 20th century, and society considered it taboo for a Brahmin woman to perform on stage.
Pattammal was also the first woman to have performed Ragam Thanam Pallavi
Ragam Thanam Pallavi
Ragam Thanam Pallavi is a form of singing in Carnatic music which allows the musicians to improvise to a great extent. It is one of the most complete aspects of classical music, demonstrating the entire gamut of talents and the depth of knowledge of the musician. It incorporates raga alapana,...
in concerts. Ragam Thanam Pallavi
Ragam Thanam Pallavi
Ragam Thanam Pallavi is a form of singing in Carnatic music which allows the musicians to improvise to a great extent. It is one of the most complete aspects of classical music, demonstrating the entire gamut of talents and the depth of knowledge of the musician. It incorporates raga alapana,...
, which was classed as a male stronghold, is the most difficult concert item in Carnatic music, as it calls for great skill and a high degree of concentration to handle the rhythmic complexities involved. Pattammal went further to perform very complex Pallavi
Pallavi
In Carnatic music pallavi is the thematic line of a song. It is usually one cycle long and repeated twice in order to give the percussionist the idea of the chosen taalam...
s in intricate tala
Tala (music)
Tāla, Taal or Tal is the term used in Indian classical music for the rhythmic pattern of any composition and for the entire subject of rhythm, roughly corresponding to metre in Western music, though closer conceptual equivalents are to be found in other Asian classical systems such as the notion...
s (rhythmic cycles); impressing and earning the respect of her male peers, connoisseurs and fellow-musicians. Her singing of pallavis was technically perfect, and aesthetically pleasing. For this reason, she became dubbed “Pallavi Pattammal”. She learnt a few pallavis and compositions from Naina Pillai, and several from Vidyala Narasimhalu Naidu, the nephew of Tirupati Narayanaswami Naidu, a prominent composer of javalis. Today, many female Carnatic musicians perform Ragam Thanam Pallavi
Ragam Thanam Pallavi
Ragam Thanam Pallavi is a form of singing in Carnatic music which allows the musicians to improvise to a great extent. It is one of the most complete aspects of classical music, demonstrating the entire gamut of talents and the depth of knowledge of the musician. It incorporates raga alapana,...
as the main item in their concerts.
Films
Pattammal was one of the earliest Carnatic musicians to sing in films, and was introduced in this medium by Papanasam SivanPapanasam Sivan
Papanasam Sivan was a prominent composer of Carnatic music and a singer.A famous composer, Sivan was also known as Tamil Thyagayya. Using Classical South Indian as a base, Sivan created numerous hits popularised by M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and M. S...
. Although she received many offers to sing for films, she only accepted those that involved devotional or patriotic songs, and declined offers to sing romantic songs. The first film Pattammal sang in was Thyagabhoomi (1939). A scene, towards the end of the film, consisted of a group of freedom fighters marching in a procession, carrying the Indian National Congress party flag, with "Desa Sevai Seyya Vareer" being sung by Pattammal in the background. The song, which was played by Papanasam Sivan and written by Kalki R. Krishnamurthy
Kalki Krishnamurthy
Kalki was the pen name of R. Krishnamurthy , a noted Tamil writer, film & music critic, Indian independence activist and journalist from Tamil Nadu, India.- Biography:...
, highlighted the Freedom Movement and invited people to join. The fame that the film and the song generated led to both being banned by the British government.
Pattammal popularised several patriotic compositions of Subramania Bharathiyar. In Nam Iruvar
Nam Iruvar
Nam Iruvar is a 1947 Tamil film directed and produced by A. V. Meiyappan.- Production :Based on a play written by Pa. Neelakantan and directed by Sahasranamam, Nam Iruvar was directed and produced by A.V. Meiyappan...
(1947), her renditions of "Vettri Ettu Dhikkum", and "Aaduvome Pallu Paduvome", a utopian creation celebrating a free India, went onto be big hits. In Rama Rajyam (1948), Pattammal popularised Subramania Bharathi's "Thoondir Puzhvinapol", while she popularised his composition, "Theeradha Vilayattu Pillai", in Vedala Ulagam
Vedala Ulagam
Vedala Ulagam is a 1948 Indian film.One of the two founding fathers of the Renaissance of Tamil Theatre, Pammal Sambandam Mudaliar, a lawyer and later a Small Cause Court Judge, experimented with varied genres in writing plays, many of which became hits. Some of his plays were made into films in...
(1948). Pattammal's singing, along with the dancing of Baby Kamala
Kumari Kamala
Kumari Kamala is an Indian dancer and actress. Initially featured as a child dancer, Kamala appeared in almost 100 Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Kannada films throughout her career...
in the film, made the latter of these especially memorable. In AVM’s Vazhkai (1949), where Vyjayanthimala
Vyjayanthimala
Vyjayanthimala Bali is an Indian film actress, Bharathanatyam dancer, carnatic singer, dance choreographer, golfer and a Parliamentarian....
was introduced in film, Pattammal also sang his "Bharatha samudhaayam vaazhgave". Pattammal had the rare honour of performing at the foundation-laying ceremony of the Bharati Memorial at Ettayapuram.
Pattammal also sang in other films including Mahatma Urangaar (1947), Pizhaikkum Vazhi (1948), Lavanya (1951). The last song Pattammal sang in film was at the age of 80 for the Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
film, Hey Ram
Hey Ram
Hey Ram is a controversial Indian film released both in Tamil and Hindi in 2000 and written, directed, produced by and starring Kamal Haasan...
(2000). Ilaiyaraaja
Ilaiyaraaja
Ilaiyaraaja is an Indian film composer, singer, and lyricist mainly in the Tamil film Industry. He is regarded as one of the finest music composers in India. Ilaiyaraaja is also an instrumentalist, conductor, and a songwriter...
and Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan is an Indian film actor, screenwriter and director, considered to be one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema. He is widely acclaimed as an actor and is well known for his versatility in acting...
carted recording equipment to her home and had her sing "Vaishnav Janato", a favourite of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
, for the film.
| Year | Film | Song | Music | Lyrics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | Thyagabhoomi | Desa Sevai Seyya Vareer | Papanasam Sivan Papanasam Sivan Papanasam Sivan was a prominent composer of Carnatic music and a singer.A famous composer, Sivan was also known as Tamil Thyagayya. Using Classical South Indian as a base, Sivan created numerous hits popularised by M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and M. S... |
Kalki R. Krishnamurthy Kalki Krishnamurthy Kalki was the pen name of R. Krishnamurthy , a noted Tamil writer, film & music critic, Indian independence activist and journalist from Tamil Nadu, India.- Biography:... |
| 1947 | Nam Iruvar Nam Iruvar Nam Iruvar is a 1947 Tamil film directed and produced by A. V. Meiyappan.- Production :Based on a play written by Pa. Neelakantan and directed by Sahasranamam, Nam Iruvar was directed and produced by A.V. Meiyappan... |
Vettri Ettu Dhikkum | R. Sudharsanam | Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathiyar |
| 1947 | Nam Iruvar Nam Iruvar Nam Iruvar is a 1947 Tamil film directed and produced by A. V. Meiyappan.- Production :Based on a play written by Pa. Neelakantan and directed by Sahasranamam, Nam Iruvar was directed and produced by A.V. Meiyappan... |
Aaduvome Pallu Paduvome | R. Sudharsanam | Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathiyar |
| 1947 | Mahathma Urangaar | Kaana Aaval Kondengumen Iru Vizhigal | S. V. Venkatraman & T. R. Ramanathan | Papanasam Sivan Papanasam Sivan Papanasam Sivan was a prominent composer of Carnatic music and a singer.A famous composer, Sivan was also known as Tamil Thyagayya. Using Classical South Indian as a base, Sivan created numerous hits popularised by M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and M. S... |
| 1947 | Mahathma Urangaar | Kunchitha Paadham Ninainthu Urugum | S. V. Venkatraman & T. R. Ramanathan | Papanasam Rajagopala Iyer |
| 1948 | Rama Rajyam | Ramayanam | R. Sudharsanam | |
| 1948 | Rama Rajyam | Thoondir Puzhuvinaipol | R. Sudharsanam | Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathiyar |
| 1948 | Vedala Ulagam Vedala Ulagam Vedala Ulagam is a 1948 Indian film.One of the two founding fathers of the Renaissance of Tamil Theatre, Pammal Sambandam Mudaliar, a lawyer and later a Small Cause Court Judge, experimented with varied genres in writing plays, many of which became hits. Some of his plays were made into films in... |
Theeradha Vilayattu Pillai | R. Sudharsanam | Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathiyar |
| 1948 | Pizhaikkum Vazhi | Engal Naattukku Endha Naadu Eeedu Perinba Gnana Veedu | G. Aswathamma | Madurai G. Sundara Vaathiyar |
| 1949 | Vazhkai | Bharatha Samudhaayam Vaazhgave | R. Sudharsanam | Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathiyar |
| 1951 | Lavanya | Pazham Bhaaratha Nannaadu | S. V. Venkatraman | Papanasam Sivan Papanasam Sivan Papanasam Sivan was a prominent composer of Carnatic music and a singer.A famous composer, Sivan was also known as Tamil Thyagayya. Using Classical South Indian as a base, Sivan created numerous hits popularised by M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and M. S... |
| 1951 | Lavanya | Thanga Oru Nizhal Illaiye | S. V. Venkatraman | Papanasam Sivan Papanasam Sivan Papanasam Sivan was a prominent composer of Carnatic music and a singer.A famous composer, Sivan was also known as Tamil Thyagayya. Using Classical South Indian as a base, Sivan created numerous hits popularised by M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and M. S... |
| 2000 | Hey Ram Hey Ram Hey Ram is a controversial Indian film released both in Tamil and Hindi in 2000 and written, directed, produced by and starring Kamal Haasan... |
Vaishnav Janato | Ilaiyaraja |
Pattammal was one of the artists in Jana Gana Mana
Jana Gana Mana Video
The Jana Gana Mana - Indian National Anthem was a historic video released January 26, 2000 to mark the 50th year of the Indian Republic. It has the distinction of being released by the then President of India, in the Central Hall of the Indian Parliament...
video album compossed by A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
which was released on January 26, 2000 to mark the 50th year of the Indian Republic. Pattammal who was 80, is the most senior among of the rest of the other vocal artists in this video album.
Tours
Pattammal has performed in all major states, sabhas and venues throughout IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, as well as numerous destinations around the world, including the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
and other countries.
Disciples
Pattammal's style of singing attracted many students, foremost among them her younger brother D. K. JayaramanD. K. Jayaraman
D. K. Jayaraman , the renowned brother of D. K. Pattammal, was a Carnatic music singer.After learning music from his sister, he furthered his musical skills under many known masters in the field, including Muthiah Bhagavathar and Papanasam Sivan. Like his sister, Jayaraman was known for his moving...
, who sang with her in several concerts, and who himself received the Sangeetha Kalanidhi
Sangeetha Kalanidhi
Sangeetha Kalanidhi or Sangita Kalanidhi is the title awarded yearly to an expert Carnatic Musician by the Madras Music Academy. This honour is considered one of the highest awards in Carnatic music.-----Sangeetha Kalanidhis:-External links:*...
in 1990. A few of her other popular students include her daughter-in-law Lalitha Sivakumar
Lalitha Sivakumar
Lalitha Sivakumar is the daughter of Palghat Mani Iyer. She learnt Carnatic music from her mother-in-law, D. K. Pattammal, and is known for vocally accompanying her in concerts. Lalitha Sivakumar is also prominently known as Nithyashree Mahadevan's mother and guru.At the age of 18, Lalitha...
, Geetha Rajashekar, her granddaughter Nithyasree Mahadevan
Nithyasree Mahadevan
Dr. Nithyasree Mahadevan, also previously referred to as S. Nithyashri, is an eminent Carnatic musician and playback singer for film songs in many Indian languages. Nithyasree's paternal grandmother, D. K. Pattammal, and her granduncle, D. K...
, Aishwarya Raghavan, and Bhavadhaarini Anantaraman. Pattammal has taught students from several countries.
Death
Pattammal died of natural causes in Chennai on July 16, 2009 at 1:30 pm. She is survived by I. Sivakumar and I. Lakshmankumar, as well as her grandchildren Rajguru, Gayathri, Nithyasree, and Charan. Her Husband, R. Iswaran died on 2 April 2010, aged 95.Awards and titles
D. K. Pattammal has received several awards and titles throughout her career. Most notably these include:- “Gana Saraswathi” (a title bestowed on her by the musician Tiger VaradachariarTiger VaradachariarTiger Varadachariar was a famous Carnatic music vocalist who hailed from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. M. D. Ramanathan was his student.-Early life:...
) - "Sangeetha Sagara Ratna" (title)
- Sangeet Natak Akademi AwardSangeet Natak Akademi AwardSangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama. It is the highest Indian recognition given to practicing artists. The award consists since 2003 of Rs. 50,000, a citation, an angavastram , and a tamrapatra...
(1961) - Sangeetha KalanidhiSangeetha KalanidhiSangeetha Kalanidhi or Sangita Kalanidhi is the title awarded yearly to an expert Carnatic Musician by the Madras Music Academy. This honour is considered one of the highest awards in Carnatic music.-----Sangeetha Kalanidhis:-External links:*...
(1970; highest accolade in Carnatic music) - Padma BhushanPadma BhushanThe Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
(1971; from the Government of IndiaGovernment of IndiaThe Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
) - Fellow of Sangeet Natak Akademi (elected in 1992)
- Padma VibhushanPadma VibhushanThe Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian award in the Republic of India. It consists of a medal and a citation and is awarded by the President of India. It was established on 2 January 1954. It ranks behind the Bharat Ratna and comes before the Padma Bhushan...
(1998; India's second-highest civilian honor) - "Sangeeta Saraswathi" (2006; award bestowed by Guruji Viswanath, founder of Manava Seva Kendra)