Papanasam Sivan - Tamil Tyagaraja

Papanasam Sivam popularly known as 'Tamil Tyagaraja" was born in 1890 in Polagam near Thanjaavoor to Sri Ramamritha Iyer and Yogambal. He was called Ramaiah by people close to him.

He received his formal music training from Noorani Mahadeva Bhagavatar and Samba Bhagavatar. He was also highly influenced by the famous singer Konerirajapuram Vaidyanatha Iyer.


Contribution: A prolific composer, he has composed around 2,500 songs in a variety of ragas. He composed for and performed in theatrical productions, both as singer and actor. He was also a teacher at Kalakshetra, one of the most respected institutions in Madras, started by Rukmini Arundale, between 1934 and 1939. In 1935, he started composing for films, but also did a stint as an actor, when he acted in four movies. Among his compositions are many kritis and varnams.

A prolific composer, he has composed around 2,500 songs in a variety of ragas. He composed for and performed in theatrical productions, both as singer and actor. He was also a teacher at Kalakshetra, one of the most respected institutions in Madras, started by Rukmini Arundale, between 1934 and 1939. In 1935, he started composing for films, but also did a stint as an actor, when he acted in four movies. Among his compositions are many kritis and varnams. He was known as 'Tamil Tyagaraja'.

The Papanasam of Sri Sivan is between Kumbakonam and Thanjavoor, with its own railway station served by passenger trains. That is where his brother stayed and he used to pass much of his time there. From 1898 to 1910 he lived in Thiruvanthapuram. In 1917 he married Lakshmi, daughter of Sri Ayyaaswami Iyer of Nagapattinam. He also translated many Malayalam and Sanskrit works into Tamil. He passed away in 1973 at the age of 83.

Some of his best compositions are nanoru vilayattu bommai, enna thavam ,devi neeye thunai.

Check out PS Krithis in sapthaswaras for some of his best compositions.

Below are videos/ documentary about Papanasam Sivam.