Tanjavur K. P. Kittappa

🪔 About

Tanjavur K. P. Kittappa Pillai (born May 5, 1913 – died 1999) was a revered doyen of Bharatanatyam gurus, belonging to the illustrious lineage of the Thanjavur Quartet, who are credited with codifying the Bharatanatyam format. He was the fifth-generation descendant of Sivanandam, one of the Thanjavur Quartet, and the grandson of the legendary Pandanallur Meenakshisundaram Pillai. Kittappa Pillai initially received training in music from Natesa Sastry and later from his father, Sangita Kalanidhi K. Ponniah Pillai. He began his professional career as a vocalist, giving concerts with his cousin Narayanaswamy, and also provided mridangam support to other musicians. After the untimely deaths of his cousin and father in 1945, he ceased giving vocal concerts and subsequently devoted himself to teaching Bharatanatyam. As a direct disciple of his maternal grandfather, Pandanallur Meenakshisundaram Pillai, Kittappa Pillai established himself as a versatile Nattuvanar. He taught dance in various institutions, including the Darpana Academy of Arts in Ahmedabad, Tamizh Isai College, and Annamalai University. He was instrumental in reviving many rare pieces of the original Tanjavur repertoire, producing the first annotated versions in the 1950s, such as the Sarabhendra Bhupala Kuravanji and the Navasandhi Kavituvams. He also authored and co-edited several books on Bharatanatyam and music, including "Ponniah Mani Malai," "Thanjai Natya Isaikaruvoolam," "Adi Bharatakala Manjari," and "Javalis of Chinnayya." Kittappa Pillai trained numerous students, both Indian and foreign, many of whom became prominent performers and teachers of the Thanjavur tradition. His teaching methodology, musicality, and choreography, particularly his emphasis on 'Madhya laya' for Bharatanatyam, were highly regarded. For the last decade of his life, he resided in his ancestral home in Thanjavur, imparting specialized training under the auspices of Tamil University and a Sangeet Natak Akademi-sponsored program. His legacy is continued by his son, K.P.K. Chandrasekaran, who founded Kittappa Natyalaya in Thanjavur. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1974), Sangita Kala Acharya (1981), Isai Perarignar (1985), Kala Tilakam (1986), Kalidas Samman (1999), Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Ratna Sadasya) (1998).