Muthu Thandavar


Muthu Thandavar was composer of Carnatic music. He was an early architect of the present day Carnatic kriti format, which consists of the pallavi, anupallavi and charanam. He lived in the town of Sirkazhi in Tamil Nadu. His contributions to Carnatic music have been largely forgotten and not many of his kritis are in vogue today. Muthu Thandavar, along with Arunachala Kavi and Marimutthu Pillai are known as the Tamil Trinity of Carnatic music.
Muthu Thandavar also composed several padams, short songs mainly sung accompanying Bharatanatyam performances. Some of these padams are still popular such as Teruvil Varano in raga Khamas and Ittanai tulambaramo in raga Dhanyasi.

Compositions

Very few of Muththu Thandavar's compositions have survived the test of time. Sixty of them have been collected. Twenty five padams are also available. Some of his compositions that are sung in music concerts are: Arumarundonru tani marundidu, Pesade Nenjame, Kaanaammal Vinile, Teruvil Varano, Unai Nambinen Ayya, Isane Koti Surya Prakasane, Darisittalavil, Sevikka Vendumayya, Innum Oru Taram, Ambara Cidambaram, Innum Oru Stalam, and ADikonDAR.