Noted Carnatic musician, teacher, and musicologist S.R. Janakiraman, the last student of the late Tiger Varadachariar, died in Chennai on Friday. He was 98.
S.R.J., as he was known in music circles, was renowned for his erudite lectures and demonstrations, which once dominated the December music festival season in Chennai.
Born in Lalgudi, Janakiraman was afflicted with smallpox and lost the power of sight in one eye. He could not attend school until he was 11. After learning from Thanneerpalli Krishnamoorthy Iyer and Shaptharishi Iyer, he joined Kalakshetra in Chennai to study the Sangita Siromani course.
Music historian Lalitharam said Janakiraman’s talent was spotted by Rukmini Devi Arundale, founder of Kalakshetra. She admitted him to the class of a senior student and brought him under the direct tutelage of Tiger Varadachariar. He learnt music under the gurukula system from Tiger Varadachariar. He also learnt under Tirupampuram Swaminatha Pillai, Musiri Subramania Iyer, T. Brinda, Professor Sambamurthy, and P.K. Rajagopala Iyer.
Research, publications
After working as a music teacher at Madanapalle and the Tirupati Music College, he joined the Music Academy, where he continued his research and published books. He translated Sangita Sampradaya Pradarsini, an important text on south Indian music, into English.
He was presented the Padma Shri and the Kalaimamani award, besides being honoured with the Sangeeta Kalacharya and several other awards.
Published – September 06, 2026 10:39 pm IST
