T. K. Murthy

🪔 About

Thanu Krishna Murthy, widely known as T. K. Murthy, is a legendary Indian Mridangam player in Carnatic music, born on August 13, 1924, in Neyyattinkara, Travancore (now Kerala). He hails from a distinguished lineage of court musicians, being the fifth generation in his family to pursue music, a tradition that spans seven generations. His father, Thanu Bhagavathar, was a vocalist, and his mother, Annapurni, gifted him his first mridangam. Murthy began playing the mridangam at the tender age of eight without formal training, initially receiving lessons from his elder brother, Gopalakrishnan. His prodigious talent caught the attention of the eminent Mridangam maestro Thanjavur Vaidyanatha Iyer, who took Murthy under his wing at the age of nine, adopting him as a son and providing rigorous training in the Thanjavur style of Mridangam. During his gurukulam days in Tanjore, he trained alongside other stalwarts like Palghat Mani Iyer. His guru affectionately nicknamed him 'Sittu' (sparrow) for his swift and dynamic finger movements, and his name was later shortened to T. K. Murthy by Palghat Mani Iyer in 1937. Murthy made his debut at the age of eleven (or twelve) in Coimbatore, accompanying the renowned vocalist Musiri Subramania Iyer. His illustrious career spans over 80 years, during which he has performed in more than 15,000 concerts, accompanying five generations of eminent Carnatic musicians, including Bharat Ratna M. S. Subbulakshmi for over 40-50 years on numerous international tours. His unique playing style is a harmonious blend of the Thanjavur and Pudukottai schools, influenced by the artistry of Palani Subramaniam Pillai. A master of Konnakol, he is recognized for composing and performing intricate rhythmic patterns (Mohra and Korvai) for 35 Talas, 72 Melakartha Talas, and 108 Talas. Beyond his performing career, Murthy is a dedicated and excellent teacher, having trained numerous prominent disciples and continuing to impart knowledge to over 500 students through institutions like the 'Mrudanga Chakravarthy Dr T K Murthy School of Music and Trust'. Awards & Honours: Padma Shri (2017), Sangeetha Kalanidhi (1994), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Carnatic Music - Instrumental (Mridangam) (1987), Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (2010), Laya Ratnakara, Kalaimamani, Mridanga Bhoopathy, Mridanga Bhooshanam, Palghat Mani Iyer Award, Tala Vilas Award, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship (1989), Honorary Doctorate, Asthana Vidwan, National Artiste, Mahaguru (The great Mridangam Master) (2022).