Shri Kongampattu AV. Murugaiyan
Shri Kongampattu AV. Murugaiyan, a Thavil teacher in Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, who has trained more than 300 students in his 23 years of teaching service, is given a Padma Shri by President Kovind for his contributions to the arts.
Who is Shri Kongampattu AV. Murugaiyan ?
Murugaiyan was born in the Tamil Nadu village of Kongampattu in the Villupuram district. Later, he made the decision to settle in Puducherry Union Territory’s Chinna Kottakuppam. Murugaiyan received his first instruction in thavil from his father, Vivekanandam, who was also a musician who played the instrument. He earned a degree in thavil after completing three years of studies at the Govt Music College, Thiruvaiyaru.
Murugaiyan began paying thavil at public concerts after completing his training. Along with his mentor Valayapatti A R Subramaniam, the Soolamangalam Sisters, Thirunageswaran T R Subramanian, Namagiripettai K Krishnan, Thiruvizha R Jayasankar, L Subramaniyam, and Ustad Alla Rakha, he performed the thavil. At the Villupuram Government Music School, where he has worked for numerous years, he also teaches thavil to more than 300 students.