P. V. Subramaniam 'Subbudu'

🪔 About

P. V. Subramaniam, widely known as 'Subbudu', was a towering figure in Indian classical arts, renowned for his incisive and influential dance and music criticism. Born on March 27, 1917, in Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar), he spent his early life there, where his father, Venkataramana, served as Superintendent of Prisons and founded the Burma Educational Trust, Subbudu's alma mater. His early musical talent was nurtured by Shri R. Krishnamoorthy Iyer, who initiated him into Carnatic music. At the tender age of twelve, Subbudu showcased his literary flair by writing the Tamil play 'Prahlada Natakam'. His family's journey to India during World War II, a arduous trek through jungles, led him to Shimla, where his career as a cultural critic blossomed. He gained prominence through his column in the Tamil periodical Kalki, published from Madras, and later became synonymous with The Statesman, an English daily, for which he wrote on Carnatic music and dance for over five decades. Subbudu's critiques were celebrated for their deep knowledge, fearless honesty, and acerbic wit, earning him the power to significantly impact artists' careers. He published two volumes of his collected Tamil writings, 'Isaithukkada' and 'Subbudu Oarbar', and a basic handbook on Bharatanatyam. Beyond print, he produced twelve Doordarshan documentaries on Carnatic music masters and one on Tyagaraja's Pancharatna Kritis. An accomplished harmonium player and composer, he also directed plays for the amateur South India Theatre company. Subbudu passed away in Delhi on March 29, 2007, just two days after his 90th birthday. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship for Scholarship and Overall Contribution in Performing Arts (2003), Kalaimamani, The Emperor Amongst Critics, Sahitya Kala Parishad Samman.