Mayavaram Somasundaram

[rajeshnat]

One of the eldermost kanjirA artist is him, perhaps Nick can write much more than this.
http://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/article2677218.ece

[Nick H]

Your excellent memory recalls that he is personally known to me, through my guruji.

I can only say that my teacher accepted him as teacher due to Somu-sir's extraordinary ability in calculation and composition. I think I have said before that I have watched him compose mohara and korvai for 128-beat cycle.

He is now quite a frail old man, and, sadly, especially for a musician, almost deaf. He still performs occasionally, and I have no idea how he manages to do so. As the article mentions, he is still teaching: the computer cells of his brain are still firing, and he is passing on the flame to others, even though he does not come to light it on the stage very often now.

Otherwise, the article is better informed than I am. Neither he nor his wife speak any English, so, although we have spent some time together, communication has been limited.

[Nick H]

A short thread.

Even though a long life, it ended today.

I don't know, actually, yesterday, today ... only that someone called my wife with the news this morning.

Funeral is at 3.00pm today. We will go and pay respects and to condole to his wife and family by about 1.00pm.

[thanjavooran]

Shocking news. Condolences to his wife and family . His name was mentioned in the Kanjira maestro's function recently.
Thanjavooran 15 02 2012

[rajeshnat]

Condolences to his family. Among the upapakkavadhya artist , shri mayavaram somu must have the longest musical career, assuming atleast 7 decades (kind of like semmangudi ).

http://www.chennailivenews.com/Music/Ma ... daram.aspx

Nick
May I exactly know how old he was???

[cienu]

Heartfelt condolences to family members and to Nick too as he was particularly close to the Late Vidwan.

[Nick H]

I'm not sure how old he was, but I went to his 80th celebration maybe as long as five years ago.

Thank you cienu. Somu-sir's expertise was particularly valued by my Guruji, and I felt that I was one of his representatives, as well as giving my own last respects, when we visited the house this morning.

From what my wife translated for me, it sounds as if he was admitted to the hospital with breathing difficulties last night, but, by 4.00am, his body was no longer able to house his spirit.

I am so glad that he was recognised by the Music Academy this year.

[mahavishnu]

Sincere condolences to his family and Nick.
I have heard him perform with his dear friend and concert partner Sri Madurai Somu on a number of occasions.

[mohan]

Small report in The Hindu:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/che ... 900977.ece

[Nick H]

...From which I see that he was 84.

[rajeshnat]

Few snippets of mayavaram somu playing kanjirA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiNnbhhHtqw with Ramani and bhaktavatsalam(not 100% sure if it is Shri Somu, some one can confirm )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lXiWtbfhy4 when mayavaram shri somu when he was 82

[erode14]

Heartfelt condolences. Just got a mail from DML(Dubai Music Lovers) and sharing here:

Mridanga Vidwan Sri. D. Govindarajan, Founder of DML writes as follows:-

Affectionately called as Mayavaram Somu Pillai by the music fraternity, he was an artist of great calibre, known for his intricate laya gnana. He leart this art from great Masters like Thavil Vidwan Thirumullaivayil Muthuvir Pillai & Mridangam exponent Kutralam Sivavadivel Pillai. He has been performing over 6 decades & for 3 generations of artists. Accompanied Sangeetha Vidwan Madurai Sri. Somasundaram Pillai for over 3 decades, whose concerts duration normally used to be about 6 hours. Listeners who had opportunities to witness those concerts will be able to recollect his playing alongwith Mridanga Vidwan Ramanadapuram Sri. Murugaboopathy.

Sri. Govindarajan further writes that Pillai is known for his punctuality. Playing with him in concerts was a priviledge for him. Very difficult to find artist of such calibre in present days. His age was never a barrior. Until his last breath, he was actively performing, teaching and giving his advice even for dancers on laya matters.

His loss is an irrepairable one and Sri. Govindarajan joins the music fraternity in praying the almighty for his soul to rest in peace.

We had the priviledge of listening to this great artist during our "tribute to Trinity" music festival in Dubai.

Regards.
DML

[Nick H]

His age was never a barrier.

Sadly, in recent years, he became very deaf. He did not play very often, and it is a miracle that he could do so at all. However, his deafness did not prevent him passing on his knowledge and, after a couple of lean years, he re-established himself as a teacher.

His mind was a musical laya super-computer.

not 100% sure if it is Shri Somu, some one can confirm

Yes, it is.

[rajeshnat]

Tribute by different vidwans and vidushis to mayavaram g somu
http://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/article2923712.ece