A commemorative postage stamp on Ariyakudi (1890-1967), a Carnatic music vocalist, founded Katcheri tradition :

Issued by India

Issued on May 18, 1991

Description of Designs : Besides the portrait of Ariyakudi, the commemoration stamp depicts two famous shrines spiritually and professionally close to Ariyakudi – the Samadhi of the great saint composer Sri Thyagaraja at Thiruvaiyar, a centre of great tradition where Ariyakudi contributed substantially in many ways and the temple at Srivilliputtur, of Andal an Alwar of Vaishnavite Philosophy, worshipped as the mother-goddess, whose Thiruppavai, the best known of her devotional songs, he set to music and unfailingly presented in his concerts.

The design of the stamp was conceived by Padmasri Prof. T.N. Krishnan, the Violin maestro, and a close associate of Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar. Prof. Krishnan also coordinated the collection of material for the design of the stamp as well as this text, which he edited.

Credit is due to Sri T.S. Parthasarthy of Madras for the preparation of valuable material to assist in the preparation of this text.

Credit for artistic work for the stamp is due to Sri Jagadish Sharma. Credit for design of the first day cover as well as cancellation stamps is due to Sri M.A. Hedao a very senior Architect.

Type : Stamp, Postal Used

Colour : Two colour

Denomination : 200 Paise

Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.

Printing size : 3.55 x 2.54 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Indigenous Un W/M gravure coated Gummed Stamp Paper

Number printed : 6,00,000

Number per issue sheet : 35

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printed : India Security Press

Name : Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar

Born on 1890 at Karaikudi, Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu, India

Died on Jan 23, 1967 at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

About : 

• Ariyakudi, as he was affectionately called, was a singer and teacher par excellence of our times, and also a composer – “a Titan in the World of Karnatic Music” as described by President R. Venkataraman. After his early training and later rigorous tutelage for 11 long years under Ramanathapuram (Poochi) Srinivasa Iyengar, Ariyakudi commenced his long and distinguished musical career when he was 24. He was essentially a traditionalist; where he innovated, he gave tradition a new dimension. He sang in a solid virile style mostly in madhyamakala, or middle tempo which was his forte although he was fully in command over the leisurely Vilambakala style. The creative aspect of his music was a tribute to his originality and genius, and it brought out the limitless potential inherent in the raga system of Karnatic music. He gave his own distinctive singing format and style to the compositions of, not only the great composers like Purandaradasa, the musical trinity etc. but also the later composers, and his style now pervades like fragrance inspiring successive musical generations. He pioneered and introduced the Kacheri paddhati or the concert tradition to the Karnatic style, bringing classical music nearer home to one and all.
• Ariyakudi was the recipient of many honours. The Music Academy of Madras conferred on him the title of Sangitakalanidhi in 1938. The Maharajah of Mysore conferred on him the title of Gayakasikhamani in 1946. The first National (Presidential) Award for music was conferred on him in 1952.

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