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Muthu Thandavar (?1560 - ?1640 CE) was composer of Carnatic music and was an early architect of the present day Carnatic kriti (song) format, which consists of the pallavi (refrain), anupallavi and caranam. He lived in the town of Sirgali 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 (1712-1779) and Marimutthu Pillai (1717-1787) are known as the Tamil Trinity of Carnatic music.^[1]

Muthu Thandavar also composed several padams, short songs mainly sung accompanying Bharatanatyam performances.^[1] Some of these padams are still popular such as Teruvil Varano in raga Kamas and Ittanai tulambaramo in raga Danyasi.

Muththu Thandavar was born in Seerkhazhi, near Chidambaram, in a family of instrumental musicians who served the temples. They were known as Isai Velalar (those who cultivate music). He was named Thandavan after the deity at Chidambaram.

As a youngster, Thandavan suffered an incurable wasting disease which caused havoc on his health and appearance. He was not able to follow the family profession on account of this debilitating condition. He was also shunned by everybody. He used to visit a temple maid named Sivabhagyam, to hear her sing and dance. Thandavan was inspired by the devotional songs sung by Sivabhagyam and began composing with the encouragement of the daughter of the Chidambaram Temple priest. He used to catch a few strands of the words of the devotees who came to worship at the temple and used them in his songs on prise of Nataraja the presiding deity at the temple. He continued the daily ritual of singing in the temple. Thandavan was a pioneer in composing padams sung during dance performances. Teruvil Vaarano is a classic padam and a delight even today for dancers and audience alike.

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. ^[2]Some of his compositions that are sung in music concerts are: Arumarundonru tani marundidu (Raga Mohanam or Kambhoji), Pesade Nenjame (Raga Todi), Kaanaammal Vinile (Raga Dhanyasi or kAmbhoji), Teruvil Varano (Raga Khamas), Unai Nambinen Ayya (Raga Kiravani), Isane Koti Surya Prakasane (Raga Nalinakanti), Darisittalavil (Raga Latangi), Sevikka Vendumayya (Raga Andolika), Innum Oru Taram (Raga Simmendra Madyamam), Ambara Cidambaram and Innum Oru Stalam (RAga Suratti).

1. ^ ^{a b} Subramaniam, V.. chembur.com Muthutandavar : A Landmark Composer. Retrieved on November 29, 2006.
2. ^ carnatica.net

• M. V. Ramana, Pre-trinity composers of Tamilnadu - Carnatica.net
• Lena Tamilvanan (Ed), (in Tamil) Thamizh Mummanikalin kiirththanaikal, Manimekalai Publications, Chennai 600 017, 1987 (லேனா தமிழ்வானன் (பதிபாசிரியர்), தமிழ் மும்மணிகளின் கீர்த்தனைகள், மணிமேகலைப் பிரசுரம், சென்னை 600 017, முதற்பதிப்பு 1987).

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