Padmabhushan Chembai Vaidyanatha Iyer
Padmabhushan Chembai Vaidyanatha Iyer or Chembai or Bhagavathar was one of the leading practitioners of Carnatic Music in the period usually referred to as the 'Golden Era' of Carnatic Music. Old timers were enthusiastic in pointing out that he, along with Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar & Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer formed the 'Modern Trinity of Carnatic Music'. The trio was supposed to be responsible for keeping up the concert tradition.
Birth and Early Life of Padmabhushan Chembai Vaidyanatha Iyer
Vaidyanathan was born to Anantha Bhagavatar and Parvati Ammal in 1895 in the village Chembai, in Palakkad. He is Known by his village name Chembai, or simply as Bhagavatar. He had his early training under his father and equipped himself fully to give an independent public performance even at the age of nine during 1904.Simple Life
With all the qualities and fame Chembai was a humble man. He often used to tell his audience that all his success was the blessings of his favorite God - Guruvayurappan. He lived like a savant. Even after his demise, Chembai continues to inspire countless musicians who compete to participate in his memorial concerts. He used to wear his dhoti, and a green belt, about four inches thick with many pockets and a buckle and a towel on his shoulder. This dress code of him was like a trade mark of him. Disciples
Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar enjoys a cult-like following among his large network of disciples and admirers throughout India and abroad. He has left behind him a large number of prominent disciples like Yesudas, T. V. Gopalakrishnan, V.V.Subramaniam, P.Leela, and many others. Popularity
Chembai was phenomenally popular. This is due to his good knowledge of the art deeply acquired. Along with this he had a voice that earned him the name and fame of 'Bell Metal Voiced Bhagavathar'. The power and majesty, but sweet and melodious voice, made Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar to rise to supreme heights. With these gifts he could take the vast audiences to rapturous delights spread over a period of about 7 decades. Another quality in him was the fact that he did not consider caste and religion as a barrier to impart his knowledge to those who genuinely desired it. It is said by many that In one of his concerts in a wedding function, some of the listeners requested Chembai to sing a song in the Devamritavarshini raga. Chembai replied that although it was summer and it was as dry as it could be, it would rain if he sang any song in that raga. Probably no one believed it because the listeners persisted with the request. Chembai then rendered the song and, miracle of miracles, when he concluded dark clouds appeared in the sky and there was a downpour. Awards
Chembai was the recipient of numerous awards and honors. He received the 'Sangita Kalanidhi' title in 1951, 'Central Natak Akademi Award' the 'Gayana Gandharva' title. He received the 'Padmabhushan' award from President of India. Swami Sivananda conferred on him the title of Sangita Samrat. He had also received many awards from the rulers of Cochin, Mysore, Baroda, Vijayanagaram, Bobbili and Jaipur. On 28-08-1996 the Government of India, Postal department issued a stamp of Re 1 denomination in his honour. Death
Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar passed away on October 16, 1974. Memorials
There are several memorial music festivals held in his honour annually since his death in 1974. The most important being the annually celebrated Chembai Sangeetholsavam (Music Festival). This is held during the Guruvayur Ekadasi (during mid November) at Guruvayur every year. This festival is now conducted officially by the Guruvayur Devaswom Board in his honour,
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