Kunnakkudy Venkatarama Iyer 1908-1978
by Dr SAK Durga
A legendary personality in Carnatic music, Kunnakkudy Venkatarama Iyer was from an illustrious family of musicians in Chettinad where his ancestors performed Harikatha kalakshepam. His father Kunnakkudy Subbier was a teacher to many Harikatha performers both in and outside his family. Kunnakkudy Subbier was a staunch devotee of Kunnakkudy Murugan and he also served in the temple. Venkatarama Iyer's sister Kunnakkudy Lakshmi Ammal was a musician and lyricist. She was one of the earliest students of the Teachers College, Music Academy, Madras, and worked in the Pudukottai Rani School.
Having learnt music from Sangita Kalanidhi Mazhavarayanendal Subbarama Bhagavatar (1888-1951), Venkatarama Iyer began his career with performances in and around Chettinad. His style of singing was a mix of what he had learnt from his guru, the music of the Karaikkudi Veena Brothers (Subbarama Iyer (1883-1936) and Sangita Kalanidhi Sambasiva Iyer (1888-1958)) and that of his own brother Kunnakkudy Ganapathy Iyer who was a prominent Jalatharangam vidwan. He also absorbed the bani (style) of many elderly and experienced musicians whom he listened to.
Venkatarama Iyer had a special affinity for the lyrics and tunes of Kavadi Chindus composed by
Sennikulam Annamalai Reddiar (1865-1891) and presented at least one Chindu in each of his performances. He was also attracted by North Indian classical music and included some north Indian ragas in his programs. He recorded for the 78 rpm discs and some of his well known 'plates' had songs such as Kanden Kanden in Bhagesri, Velane in Shubhapantuvarali, Kondale in Mohanam, Anda Rama Soundaryam in Kedara Gaula, and two Kavadi Chindus, Vannathinai Mavai and Moosuvandu.
In the 1930s he settled in Madras. He worked for the film industry, setting music for Kubera Kuchela (1943) and Mangayarkarasi (1949). He taught music to film stars such as PU Chinnappa, T.R. Mahalingam and T.R. Rajakumari. He was also guru to several of Rajakumari's family members. Venkatarama Iyer also worked as a Supervisor at the All India Radio between 1945 and 1947 and was among the early musicians to perform full-length concerts in it.
The songs of Vedanayagam Pillai (1826-1889) made a deep impression on him and he released a book containing 61 songs of the same author/ composer. Venkatarama Iyer was one of the founders of the Tyagaraja Vidwat Samajam, Mylapore, and served as the Vice-President of the Committee. He was a recipient of the Kalaimamani award of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
