Tribute to Smti.D.K.Pattammal.

[Guest guest]

Damal Krishnaswamy Pattammal, carnatic music exponent and a film playback singer

in many Indian languages, passed away in Chennai. She was 90.

 

She was ailing for five months. The end came today at 11.30 a.m. The cremation

took place in the evening. Pattammal leaves behind two sons. Nithyashree

Mahadevan, noted singer, is her grand daughter.

 

D.K. Pattammal was popularly referred as one of the " female trinity of Carnatic

music " , the other two being M.S. Subbulakshmi and M.L.Vasanthakumari. This trio

initiated the entry of women into the mainstream of Carnatic music.

 

Named Alamelu, but fondly called " Patta " , Pattammal was born in an orthodox

Brahmin family in Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. Her father, Damal Krishnaswamy

Dikshithar, was deeply interested in music, while her mother, Kanthimathi

(Rajammal), was a talented singer. However, in line with strict orthodox

tradition, Rajammal was not permitted to sing even for friends or relatives.

Despite her orthodox background, Pattammal sang and showed considerable music

talent at an early age like her two brothers; D. K. Ranganathan and D.K.

Jayaraman.

 

Pattammal received no formal training. As a child, she would sit through the

concerts and imitate the musicians on returning home. She would also sing simple

devotional hymns and songs that her father had taught her.

 

In 1929, at the tender age of 10, little Patta gave her first ever radio

performance for Madras Corporation Radio (now the All India Radio), and 3 years

later, she gave her first public concert at Madras Rasika Ranjani Sabha in 1932.

One year later, moving to Chennai, Pattammal become a regular performer in

concerts and gave her first performance at the Mahila Samajam (the Egmore Ladies

Club), and won acclaim. In 1939, Pattammal married R.Iswaran. She quickly rose

to stardom, and her musical career has spanned more than 65 years.

 

Pattammal's sweet disposition and humble nature belie the fact that she started

a few revolutionary trends in Carnatic music. She is the first woman to have

performed this genre of music publicly, both on stage and on air.. Brahmins

ranked as the highest in the caste hierarchy prevalent in India in the early

20th century, and society considered it taboo for a Brahmin woman to perform on

stage.

 

Furthermore, Pattammal is also the first woman to have performed Ragam, Thalam

and Pallavi in concerts, which is the most difficult item in Carnatic music.

Before Pattammal, it classed as a male stronghold. Not only did Pattammal boldly

venture into Pallavi-singing but she also performed very complex Pallavi in

intricate talas (rhythmic cycles) impressively enough to earn the respect of her

male peers. For this reason, she became dubbed " Pallavi Pattammal " .

 

Papanasam Sivan introduced Pattammal to singing for films. Although she received

many offers to sing for films, she only accepted those which involved the

singing of devotional or patriotic songs, and declined offers involving romantic

songs. The first film Pattammal sang in was Thyaga Bhoomi. Later, she sang in

other films including Naam Iruvar. She has popularised several patriotic

compositions of Subramania Bharathiyar.

 

Pattammal has performed in all major states, sabhas and venues throughout India

as well as numerous destinations around the world, including the United States,

Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, including Sri Lanka and other countries.

 

D. K. Pattammal has received several awards and titles throughout her career.

Most notably these include the title " Gaana Saraswathi " bestowed on her by the

musician Tiger Varadhachariar, the Sangeetha Sagara Ratna title, the Sangeet

Natak Academi Award, the Sangeetha Kalanidhi (considered the highest accolade in

Carnatic music) in 1970, the Padma Bhushan in 1971, and the Padma Vibhushan,

India's second-highest civilian honor, in 1998. Pattammal was also elected

Fellow of Sangeet Natak Academy in 1992..

 

- Asian Tribune -