InstrumentMridangam
FromPazhayannur, Cochin State, India
TraditionCarnatic
Legacy Profile(1912–1981)
Thiruvilvamala Ramaswamy
Notable Students
Palghat R. RaghuMavelikkara Velukkutty NairUmayalpuram K. SivaramanThanjavur R.RamadasKamalakar RaoG. Harishankar(Kanjira)Trivandrum V. Surendran
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Biography
Palghat T. S. Mani Iyer (1912–1981) was a legendary Carnatic mridangam artist revered as one of the Holy Trinity of Mridangam. A disciple of Sesham Bhagavatar, he revolutionized the role of the mridangam, elevating it from a time-keeping instrument to a rhythmic commentary. He was the first mridangist to receive the Sangeetha Kalanidhi, Padma Bhushan, and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Hear the Carnatic tradition live
See all ›- Rohith JayaramanVocal · Sandy Spring Museum (Willow Grove Cultural Commons), Sandy Spring, MD›
- Aditya Prakash, Fareed Ayaz & Abu Muhammad Qawwal, Lalgudi GJR Krishnan & moreVocal · Pioneer Works, Brooklyn, NY›
- L. ShankarViolin · MATCH - Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston (Matchbox 4), Houston, TX›
- U. RajeshMandolin · Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Riverdale, GA›
Profile last updated 2026-10-11
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