Musiri Subramania Iyer, the renowned and highly respected Carnatic vidwan, was a master musician, dedicated teacher and academician, and an iconic personality. Born on 9 April 1899, he was honoured with the birudu of Sangita Kalanidhi by the Music Academy, Madras in 1939 during the 13th annual Conference. He was one of the giants of Carnatic music in the 20th century.
‘Musiri Subrahmanya Aiyar’ delivered his Presidential Address in Tamil on the occasion. Here is the English version of the speech which was published in The Journal of The Music Academy, Madras in 1939. Not many copies of this Journal are available.
The stalwart spoke about the importance of holding annual conferences, the need for discovering and fostering new talent, and establishing contact between music organisations and universities. He suggested initiating students of both Carnatic and Hindustani music in the primary lakshanas of the two systems in order to practically popularise both. Among other things he also dwelt upon the difference between popular and classical music and remarked that the annual conferences would help in preserving and promoting the study of the lakshanas.
