Lesson 4

d06134 Isai Tamil - Research and Researchers

    This lesson briefly traces the history of research
on Tamil music and highlights the contributions of
important researchers. Though much is being said and
written about ‘Tamil Isai’ today, there was a time when
it was believed that the Tamils did not have a distinct
tradition of music. The publication of ‘Silapathigaaram’
by U. Ve.Swaminatha Iyer and the subsequent
publication of a commentary on the epic by Adiyaarkku
Nallar dispelled this belief and proved that the Tamils
did have a great tradition of music. The publication of
these texts also inspired active research on the history
of Tamil music, musical forms, compositions, techniques
and instruments.

    Thanjai Rao Bahadur Mu. Abraham Pandithar is
regarded as the pioneer in the field o f Isai Tamil
research. Hailed as the father of research in this field,
he organized several conferences and symposia on
Tamil music. His book “Karunamirtha Saagaram” is a
compilation of the discussions and findings of these
symposia. There was no authoritative Tamil text on the
art of musical training. Thanjai Rao Bahadur Mu.
Abraham Pandithar filled this lacuna by publishing the
“Karunamirtha Saagara Thirattu”. Another key figure in
the field of Isai Tamil research is Madurai Ponnuswami
Pillai, a renowned exponent of the nagaswaram.He was
well versed in ‘Silapathigaaram’, especially the detailed
expositions of music found in the epic. He went on to
prove that Tamil music has 24 and not 22 parent ragas.

    Based on the information in the Arangettru
Kaathai of the ‘Silapathigaaram’, another veteran
researcher, Vipulaananda Adigalaar, published his
“Yaazh Nool”. This book discusses the techniques and
nuances of rendering the Yaazh. It also declares that
the Yaazh,an ancient stringed instrument unique to the
Tamils, is the symbol of Tamil culture.

    Kudanthai Pa. Sundaresan, Ku. Dandapani Pillai,
Prof. Ka. Vellai Vaarananaar, Prof. Thanapandiyan and
Prof. Vi. Pa. Ka. Sundaram are other noted researchers
who have made significant contributions in this field.
The concerted efforts of these researchers have
enriched our understanding of the glorious tradition of
Tamil music.