The Ragas of Karnatic Music

Sri N.s. Ramachandran, thus comes of a family distinguished in the field of Carnatic Music. At the young age of 31, Prof. Ramachandran wrote the book, Ragas of Carnatic Music, a monumentally work showing considerable research and eruditioin. Sir C.V. Raman, the eminent scientist and Noble laureate, praied him for the commendable research work in Carnatic Music. After having served as the Statioin Director of All India Radio (AIR) in several stations, he became the Chief Producer of Carnatic Music in the Directorate General of All India Radio, New Delhi. Later, he was also appointed as the Dean of the facultyof music in Delhi University. During his stint in AIR, Trichy, he directed several Music Dramas which won great acclaim from the public llike Nowka Charitram, Kaveri Rivef and Laila Majnu. He also was deputed by the Union Government under the Colombo plan, to study the working of the Radio Ceylon, and advise the Ceylon Governemnt on the planning and organization of the Tamil programs on Ceylon Radio. He brought out revolutioinary changes in the Ceylon Broadcassting system, dividing commercial broadcasts and general broadcasts separately. The local Celonese people applauded and admired his work, and the Ceylonese Government also thanked him for his expertise and valuable contribution. He was a leadinig Vina vidwan who gave many concerts in AIR. He was affectionately called ganalola (one who loves music), by music lovers of Tamilnadu. His admires included great vainikas like Vina S. Balachander and Karaikudi Sambasiva Iyer. As a musicologist and composer, he composed more than 200 songs in 3 languages, namely, Tamil, Telugu and Saskrit. These were rendered by top-notch musicians like Dr. M.L. Vasanthakumari, M.S. subbulakshmi, Maharajapuram Santanam, Semmagudi Srinivasa Iyer etc. They have also been brought out in book format, in a volume called Sangeeta Pushpanjali and was acclaimed as one of the best works by musicologists, musicians and critics, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam has adopted his Abhogi Kriti Sri Mahaganapate (Khanda Chapu), played by Namagiripettai Krishnan, during the temple’s Garuda Vahana Utsavam Bhavani. Awards and honours sought N.S. Ramachandran. The Tamilnadu Governemnt recognized his achievement awarded him the prestigious State Award, Kalaimamani in 1971. His name, along with his grandfather’s has been included in America’s popular Who is Who. Similarly, the Sahitya Academy and Sangeet Natak Academy have released a Who is Who, including the names of N.S. Ramachandran and his grandfather along with other illustrious musicians of India.