Senior mridangam vidwan and guru Kumbakonam Rajappa Iyer passed away on March 5, in Chennai. He was 91.

Rajappa Iyer had his training in mridangam from Azhaganambi Pillai and after his demise, from Saakotttai Rangu Iyengar. He was also adept in playing ghatam. He had accompanied many stalwarts like Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Papanasam Sivan, T. K. Rangachari, M. D. Ramanathan. His lec-dems on mridangam and ghatam playing techniques were popular among the professional percussionists as well as music lovers.

Rajappa Iyer served as a mridangam teacher at Sri Krishna Gana Sabha for over 50 years. Among his disciples are leading percussionists Srimushnam Raja Rao, K.R. Ganesh (son), Umayalpuram Mali, Ganapathy Raman, Manoj Siva, Madipakkam Murali and Adambakkam Shankar.

He received many titles and awards including Sangeetha kala Acharya from The Music Academy, Chennai in 2001. His disciples joined hands to celebrate his 90th birthday last year in January.

Rajappa Iyer's family lives at 6, Gangai Amman Koil 4th Street, Vadapalani, Chennai - 600 026,Phone : (044) 2472 3377