Ranganayaki Ammal (28 May 1910 – 15 August 1998) was an Indian Mridangam player.[1] She was the first to break the gender barrier and became the first Indian female percussionist.[2]
Family
editRanganayaki Ammal's father, Thirukokarnam Sivaraman, was renowned as a distinguished natuvanar. He was celebrated for his mastery of avadhana pallavis, an art form that involves skillfully playing diverse talas using not only his hands but also his legs and head. Ranganayaki Ammal was the second child in a family of seven siblings.[2] Ulaganathan Pillai, her brother was a violinist.[1]
Training
editRanganayaki embraced the art of mridangam and sought guidance from the renowned Pudukottai Dakshinamurthy Pillai, while simultaneously pursuing her training in Bharatanatyam.[3]
Achievements
editIn the early 20th century, she became a trailblazing woman in the male-dominated field of Carnatic percussion. In the 1927 All India music conference in Madras, a significant moment was the inclusion of 17-year-old Thirukokarnam Ranganayaki Ammal as the only female among the 23 mridangam artistes performing at the event.[2]
Ranganayaki Ammal was a distinguished Mridangam player.[1] Despite her significant contributions to music, Ranganayaki remained largely unnoticed, with the exception of being honored with the prestigious Kalaimamani award, the highest civilian award presented by the state of Tamil Nadu. Tragically, she died on 15 August 1998.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b c Little Big World, University of Iowa Press, pp. 61–74, doi:10.2307/j.ctt20mvgcq.8, S2CID 184046960, retrieved 24 July 2023
- ^ a b c "Ranganayaki Ammal: One of the first women to enter the male-dominated world of percussion". The Hindu. 9 June 2022. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ "Ranganayaki Ammal: One of the first women to enter the male-dominated world of percussion - Bharat Times". 10 June 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ "Times top10". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
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