Sri Kunnakudi gave his recital at Goa about 10 years back. The hall was packed for his recital and the audience gave a standing ovation after his program. It was really an unforgetable program. it was during this program that i had the proud privilege of receiving the prize from him for the Dikshithar kriti competition held earlier for which he was the judge. I wll always treasure those moments. He enjoyed his stay here at Goa. May his soul rest in peace.
- Mailed by Mrs Hema Sundaram ,Vasco-da-gama, Goa
When I first heard Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan play the violin in 1973, it was as an accompaniment for a vocal concert performed by M. R. Vijaya during a wedding reception in a village known as Veedhi Vadangam in Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu. I was then 18 years of age and studying the Pre-University Course in St. Joseph's College,Tiruchirappalli.
While I was amazed at his mastery over the instrument,I was also equally impressed by the way in which he gently guided M. R. Vijaya throughout the concert, without even once dominating the concert nor gaining the credit for himself. Even then I knew that here was a vidwan who will not only be going places, but willalso be developing emerging talent.
I have, through the years, heard him on several occasions, and have also seen the dance drama "Venkatadri Vaibhavam" in 2005 for which he composed the music.
I last heard Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan in 2006 during the Music Festival in Chennai at the Hema Malini Kalyana Mandapam under the auspices of Valayappati Nadhalaya when he played together with Valayapatti Subramaniam (thavil) after an interval of many years.
After playing the traditonal mallari, somebody from the audience asked him as to why he often played the same mallari in Gambira Nattai in all his concerts with Valayappati, and did not opt to change the composition. Kunnakudi replied, tongue in cheek, that the mallari was already "stuck" to his body and that it would remain with him till his last. I was wondering why he was talking about such matters during a concert, but now I realise why. He probably knew that his last days were fast approaching, and he wanted his audience to get used to the reality that he would not be around with them for a long time after that concert.
He was a very good and kind-hearted human being who was a very close friend of our family, especially my mother. They used to spend several hours together, talking and arguing about Carnatic music. Since my mother is older than him by about three years, he would, invariably, just shake his head and listen to her patiently as a sign of respect. Despite his professional standing and status as an expert musician, he would never counter-argue or contradict her. When I asked him the reason for his subdued approach, he replied that there was always something for him to learn from everybody, and that he would lost that opportunity if he were to stop them short or by dominating the discussion. I was really very moved by his humility and polite nature.
He was a truly versatile artiste who was able to achieve a practical and realistic balance between 'lakshana sangeetham' and 'janaranjaka sangeetham'. I don't think we have anybody else among musicians today who could do it so well and effortlessly as he has, or as smoothly whenever he switches over (or a seamless transfer) from Carnatic music to devotional and film music during his concerts.
May God bless his soul and let us all pray that the good work he has begun (such as the Raga Research Centre) shall continue under the leadership of his well-wishers and supporters. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family who have lost their leader.
- Mailed by S. Venkateswaran, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Sri Kunnakudi R Vaidyanathan was one of the rare musicianswe have known.
As the chief organizer of Saint Sri Tyagaraja aradhana committee he used to talk to all the people who ever met him in Thiruvaiyaru with lot of respect and affection. He was a sthithaprajna , never perturbed and used to solve all the problems with a smile on his face.
His services to film and Carnatic music are invaluable.
Once when he played at our M.E.S.College for the Ganesha festival he was demonstrating to audience the difference between traditional playing and how to play for the common man.
He earned lots of encomiums from students and the public who had gathered there for his excellent knowledge of music.It is unfortunate that he is no more. May Almighty grant his soul peace!
- Mailed by T. T. Srinivasan, India
The passing away of Shri Kunnakudi is indeed a graet loss to the world of carnatic music. Being the secretary of the THYA BRAHMA MAHOTSAVA SABHA at Tiruvaiyaru in the past so many years and conducting the aradhana of Shri Thyagabrahmam with sincerity and devotion definitely needs a mention. He used to manage even the most difficult situation with ease and definitely we will miss him at tiruvaiyaru in the years to come. I am sure he has attained the lotus feet of Shri Thaygabramam.
- Mailed by Ranjani Srinivasan, Muscat
I am Ashraya Ananthanarayanan a seven year old student of Shruthilayam Academy of PA, USA where I learn Vocal and Violin from my father Shri. Ponnani.S. Ananthanarayanan.
I have been a silent fan of the legend Shri. Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan since the day I touched the Violin. My father as he taught me the Violin always used to cite the maestro and the world renowned artist Shri. Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan for his fingering techniques.
Several years ago he took up the Challenge and proved that Violin need not be always only an accompaniement. But the instrument had the beauty and brilliance to stand out solo. His solo concerts are a delight to the ears and definitely a source of great inspiration for upcoming talents like myself.
I shall always remember his interview with Janaki Subramanian wherein he had talked about the precious Raga System. His real life incident of how he got the rains from heaven above by playing the Raga Amritavarshini is something amazing. His performance of the Bhairavi Ragam to get his father back shall always remain in my mind.
- Mailed by Ashraya Ananthanarayanan, PA, USA
The world of violin has lost one of its great members with the demise of Sri.Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan. His mastery over the instrument was well recognised by people both in India and abroad. As much mastery he gained on the violin which was admired by his contemporaries and the upcoming, he was more than admired and people and rasikas fell in love with his music. As a violinist myself I have witnessed myself a number of his concerts in Bangalore and every concert of his was always full with spellbound audience. He touched many hearts through his pieces be it classical, light or even film music. His band of musicians was always a treat where ever they were performing. His services in different places including Thiruvaiyaru will always be remembered. His music will ever be remembered and will not leave the hearts of many people for long. Long live his music and may his soul rest in peace.
The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in London conveys its deepest condolences to the immediate family and prays for his immortal soul to rest in peace.
- Mailed by Balu Raguraman, South Indian Violinist, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, London Centre W14 9HE
It is indeed very difficult to reconcile myself to the loss of guru Kunnakudi, my esteemed and beloved guru - a multifaceted personality who straddled both the carnatic and film worlds with great ease.It was his magnanimity and my good fortune that he accepted me as a disciple in vocal music and gave me guidance in so many directions.I became a part of his family and he lavished a father's affection on me.He had a fantastic sense of humour and a generous and warm hearted nature.
Recently, he taught me the songs and composed the music for a devotional CD-'Maalavanum Velavanum' -compositions on Muruga and Krishna--and that was a truly unforgettable, educational experience.His stupendous swara gnanam and breathtakingly fast kalpanaswaras even in ragas like Bahudari and Malavi were memorable and a connoisseur's delight.
His amazing control over his chosen instrument, the violin, may have been the result of the asura sadhakam he did during his practising years.He firmly believed that the name and fame he achieved were due to the blessings of Lord Muruga and his parents and he instilled these same values in his students.
I pray that this great soul rest in peace and may he give me the strength to strive further in my musical quest.
Geetha Raja; Camp - USA
Violinist Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan who passed away on September 8 was the sort of top ranking artiste who basked in the spotlights, enjoyed playing for the masses and one who set his own standards in the music world.
