A commemorative postage stamp on ‘Nadaswara Chakravarthi‘ Thirumarugal Natesapillai Rajarathinam (TNR) Pillai, an Indian Carnatic musician and Nadaswaram maestro :

Issued by India

Issued on Dec 3, 2010

Issued for : India Post is happy to issue commemorative postage stamp on T.N. Rajarathinam Pillai, Thanjavur Balasaraswathi and Veenai Dhanammal.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Brahm Prakash
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.3 Million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Balasubramaniam

Born on Aug 27, 1898 at Thiruvaduthurai, Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu, India

Died on Dec 12, 1956 at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

About : 

• T.N. Rajarathinam Pillai was born on 27 August 1898 to Shri Kuppuswami Pillai and Smt Govindammal in Thiruvaduthurai in Tanjavur District which is the cradle of culture and art of Tamil Nadu, and has produced several renowned dancers, musicians and artists. Among them was the great Nagaswara Vidwan, Natesa Pillai. He wanted to take Rajarathinam Pillai as his disciple and teach him to play the Nagaswaram, a wind instrument. However, he died before his wish could be fulfilled. Rajarathinam Pillai was then sent to learn vocal music. He gave his maiden vocal performance when he was only seven years old. On the insistence of elders in the family and to fulfil the wishes of Natesa Pillai, Rajarathinam Pillai was sent to learn the Nagaswaram from Shri Ammachatram Kannuswami Pillai a Nagaswaram vidwan. By his constant practice, dedication and sincere application Rajarathinam Pillai learned to play the instrument with great elan and perfection. Rendering raga alapanas for many hours was his forte. He briefly acted in films too. When India attained Independence, Rajarathinam Pillai had the honour of giving a recital in the historic Darbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhawan before an august gathering. He passed away on 12 December 1956.
• Text : Based on the materials as provided by the proponent.

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