Chennai 600004
A multifaceted personality Shri. S.Rajam was born on 10.02.1919 to Shri.V.Sundaram Iyer and his wife Chellammal. His father was a reputed advocate and a great scholar in carnatic music. Hereditary and environment helped shape Shri.Rajam as an exponent of various art forms: Drawing, Painting, Music to name a few.
Rajam had his training in music from maestros of music like Ambi Dikshitar, Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Papanasam Sivan and Madurai Mani Iyer. He has been giving performances from a very young age of thirteen. At the age of fifteen he developed his drawing skill. He joined The School of Arts and furthered his skills.
Rajam worked as music supervisor with AIR, where he popularised South Indian Music. During his tenure, he recorded rare songs of Vaggeyakars, produced many operas and musical plays. He has been instrumental in bringing out 72 Melakartha Kirthanas of Koteeswara Iyer. He has popularised Thirukkural by singing them. He has toured the whole of India and has visited many foreign countries U.S.A., Canada, Africa, Ceylon etc.. He is a member of the expert committee of The Music Academy. He has been training a lot of students.
Rajam through his drawings has drawn the attention of one & all towards the ancient culture of our country. He is a reputed painter in water colour. His drawings are a rare blend of traditional style with his unique touch. He has brought the forms of Vaggeyakaras of Carnatic Music, Epic characters of our Puranas, Gods & Goddesses to life through his drawings. For example his paintings of the trinities adorn the walls of The Music Academy, his paintings of Navagrahas find their place in the pooja rooms of many a home.
Rajam’s artistic abilities have won accolades. The notable are Sangeet Natak Academy award, Sangita Kala Acharya award & the Isai Kalai Chemmal award.
Rajam has the unique distinction of combining successfully his musical & drawing abilities for well over six decades and is contributing a lot to enrich our culture.
BACK
