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SRIRANGAM R. KANNAN (15-06-1924 to 23-09-1988)

Srirangam R. Kannan was a renowned vocalist and scholar of Carnatic music. He was a performing musician of par excellence and a famed musicologist teaching Carnatic Music in Benaras Hindu University as professor. The uniqueness of Srirangam R.Kannan lies in the fact that he mastered the art of performing amidst odds. With no instrumental support of Carnatic Music in Hindustani Music belt, he pursued it vigorously blending percussion instruments of other system to style his singing. He gave performances all over India with a zeal to reach out to the music lovers all over India. He is remembered for his soulful rendition of “Bhakti Sangeet” which he could produce flawlessly in many languages of India.

Early life:

Srirangam R. Kannan born on 15th June, 1924 in Thirupapuliyur in Tamilnadu. Belonging to a music family, he was initiated into music at an early age of eight years by his illustrious musician father Vidwan Rajan Iyengar. Unlike other children he did not spent his time for plays, entertainment instead he focused his full attention to acquire knowledge in music.

Career:

Though he could establish himself as a performing artist in Carnatic Music, he desired to pursue his career in teaching profession and therefore had accepted the offer of Benaras Hindu University, Varanasi to work as Lecturer in its Music faculty and subsequently elevated him to the post of Professor. This had elated the spirit among the lovers of musical art. All along he had kept up the highest traditions of Carnatic Music in shruti and laya and had won the genuine admiration of experts as well as laymen. His simplicity and humbleness enabled him to move freely with public in general and people in musical circle in particular. He had two publication to his credit. One can see the depth of his knowledge and understanding of music in his books “Tyagaraja kruti sangrah” and “Muthuswami Dikshita kruti sangrah”. Devanagari script of “Muthuswami Dikshita Kruti Sangrah” has been translated into Hindi and its notations were formed in Bhatkande system of Hindustani

Music.

Srirangam R.Kannan was top ranking artist of All India Radio and had given programmes in radio since1945. He served as a member on the panel of Advisory Experts’ Committee, Music Academy, Madras. In his service of four decades of music, Sri Kannan had presented number of vocal concerts across the country. His fluent and efficient Hindi gave him a chance to cut a cassette entitled “Sangeet Vivechan”. His recorded discs and cassettes were very popular

Family:

He born in the illustrious family of musicians at Thirupapuliyur in Tamilnadu on 15th June, 1924. His father Vidwan Rajan Iyengar was a distinguished music artist and mother Smt.Rajalakshmi was a patron of music. He married Smt. K.Saroja And had two sons namely Dr.R.K Srinivasan  elder son who is also a performing flute artist of repute and retired from service from Doordarshan Kendra, Chennai as Assistant Director (Progs. Doordarshan). His younger son Sri R.K.Govindrajan is a known vocalist in both systems of music. His audio visual production “Namo Gange” has received country-wide acclaim. He provided vocal support to his father during his performances. “Hindi Bhajans” “Bhakti Geet” and “Gazals” are appreciated by the audience. Presently, he is heading Commercial Broadcasting Service of All India Radio, Bengaluru as Assistant Director (Prog.).

Awards:

•	He won the coveted Gold Medal in the open competition held by the Madras Music Academy in 1945. •	He was adjudged as the “Best Junior Musician” by the Madras Sangeet Natak Academy •	Recipient of Certificate of Merit and TTK Memorial Award from the prestigious Music Academy Madras. •	He has been awarded Top Rank by the Music Audition Board of All India Radio, New Delhi.

 Incident:when shrirangam kannan was going from Varanasi to vijayavada for a concert on 1977 October 4. At the time Mrs Indira Gandhi was arrested in Delhi on charges of misuse of authority and corruption. Four of Mrs Gandhi’s former ministers — K.D. Malaviya, H.R. Gokhale, P.C. Sethi and D.P. Chattopadhyaya — have also been arrested by the CBI. The government also announced the arrest of B.B. Vohra, petroleum secretary, and S. Aggarwal, former communications secretary, and prominent industrialists like R.P. Goenka and M.V. Arunachalam and Jit Paul of the Apeejay company. Mrs Gandhi is allegedly involved in two cases, both under the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act. Due to this the ruling party came to strike. At the time shrirangam kanna was in the train which is going from Varanasi to Vijaya Vada for the concert. But in-between the travel they attacked by the Rulling party due to Indihar Gandhi arrest. And his son was injured (R.K Govindarajan). After first aid given to his son they reached vijaya Vada and the concert was started at 7 pm Date (4-10-1977) and the concert was very much liked by the audience. which is performed by shrirangam kannan. 2. Incident HH shri Jayendher sharaswari of Kamakoti peetham visited shriringam kannans house in Varanasi on 27 july 1986. And blessed his family and started an intuition for music. Name shankara guruklum. Shrirangam kannan celebrate Tyaghraja aharadhana Uthsavam at Varanasi at in his residence every year and all the emmanent and iconic musicians participate in the grand event. Shrirangam kannan use to practice swrasadhana at bharamamuhurtha at bank of ganga river daily. At the end of his life his practicing music at the bank of Ganga river and he was mesmerized