PANDANALLUR GURUSWAMY PILLAI (1875-1963)

Pandanallur Sri Guruswamy Pillai born in the year 1875 was the son of Sri Viswanatha Pillai and Veeralakshmiammal. His father being a well known Nadaswara vidwan, thought him the royal tradition of Nadaswara at a very young age. His father started realizing his raw interest and talent for laya permitted him to accompany his father’s recitals on the talam at the tender age of six. At the age of 11, he started majoring the art of Nadaswaram from Sri Ayya Kannu Pillai. He started his Nadaswaram career at the age of 17. As he grew in his career, his knowledge in laya grew double the time. He is an expert in Pallavi with unique and different qualities.

He was known for his intricacies in laya while presenting a Pallavi. He keeps his audience astonished during his performances. He is a role model for his entire leading artist, contemporaries, accompanists, and the following upcoming artistes. Ammachathiram Kannuswamy Pillai, Pandanallur Maragadham Pillai, and Thirukadaiyur Chinnaya Pillai were some of the Tavil Vidwans who accompanied him during his recitals.

He was bond to the Sembanarkovil family by giving his daughters hand in marriage to S. R. Govindaswamy Pillai. Sri Guruswamy Pillai was an extraordinary person with extraordinary abilities. He was an ‘ASHTAVADHANAM’. Ashtavadhanam is a word that brings a huge meaning and a huge responsibility. Ashtavadhanam means, capability to do eight different activities simultaneously.

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SEMBANARKOVIL RAMASWAMY PILLAI (1880 – 1923)
S.R. GOVINDASWAMY PILLAI (1897 - 1955) & S.R. DAKSHINAMOORTHY PILLAI (1904 - 1976)
PANDANALLUR GURUSWAMY PILLAI (1875-1963)