'Isaimani' was born on Jan 19, 1933, as Govindarajan to proud parents, Siva Chidambaram and Avayambal Ammal in the small town of SIRKALI. Sirkali was the birthplace of Thirugnanasambandar, one of the Samaya Naalvar and the 63 Nayanmar of the Saiva faith. It was little wonder that he became a child prodigy performing at the Tirupurasundari Temple at the age of eight on the occasion of the Gnana Paal Festival.
MUSICAL EDUCATION:
Tamil Isai College, Madras:
He first joined Devi Nataka Sabha as a
Child Actor and later Modern Theaters at Salem. However,
his love for Music was too much to ignore. He wanted to
train in Classical Carnatic Music, which brought him to
Madras. Under the guidance of 'Pandithar' P.S. Chettiar,
he joined the Tamil Isai College, Madras and graduated in
1949 with the Degree 'Isaimani'. That same year he won
the Governor General Sri. Rajaji First Prize-Tambura for the
Gopala Krishna Bharathiyar Songs Competition from the hands of the
first poet laureate of Tamil Nadu, Thiru Naamakkal Kavignar.
Central College of Carnatic Music, Madras:
The Central College of Carnatic Music was the
next institution for his musical enrichment. Here too,
he graduated with the Degree of 'Sangeetha Vidwan'. At
the same time, he started rigorous training (Gurukulavasam) under
his Guru-Sri. Thiruppampuram Swaminatha Pillai, who was then
a Professor at the Central College of Carnatic Music, Madras.
Under his tutelage and in-depth study, he gained knowledge
of the nuances and intricacies of Indian Music, especially,
Classical Carnatic Music. During this period, 1951-52,
he won many competitions, conducted by the Sangeetha
Vidwat Sabha(Music Academy) and the Rasika Ranjani Sabha.
He was the proud recipient of three Gold Medals(First Place)
in the austere and hallowed halls of Sangeetha Vidwat
Sabha(Music Academy) from Karaikudi Sri. Sambasiva Iyer.
"Sangeetha Vidwan" Sirkali won all first places in the three
categories: Apoorva Krithis of Sri Thyagaraja swamigal,
Ragam-Thanam-Pallavi, and Tamil Classical Songs.
CAREER:
India:
'Isai Arasu's' accomplishment at that young age,
and the knowledge of music which he judiciously used,
helped him carve a comfortable niche for himself in the
hearts of both the Elite and the masses. He started
singing to audiences in major cities such as Delhi,
Bombay, Calcutta, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Tirupati,
Trivandrum, Bangalore, literally in all the southern states, and in every nook and corner of
the country.
Abroad:
He had performed abroad widely starting as
early as 1958. He has sung in U.K., U.S.A., Canada,
Europe-France, Germany and Switzerland, Malaysia, Singapore,
SriLanka, Nepal and Mauritius. Everywhere he went he
had the extraordinary talent of keeping the audiences
spellbound and entertained. His concerts were aimed at
spreading devotion, promoting Goodwill, and sustain the
values of our rich cultural heritage. Most of his
concerts were benefit performances towards building
temples and scholarships for Indian Children. Fans around
the world, including those from SriLanka, Malaysia, and
Singapore were lucky to listen to him performing
concerts for over 6 hours, rain or shine.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
To this day, 'Sangeetha Vidwan' Sirkali is appreciated for his
clear diction while the classical content is intact.
His powerful voice, well disciplined by whipcord
training, and sheer dedication and discipline helped him
arrive in the "exclusive circle" of musicians, honored
with many awards. But he considered the blessings of
his Guru, and such stalwarts as Sri. Chembai Vaidyanatha
Bhagavathar, Sri. Semmangudi, Sri. Dhandapani Desikar,
and Smt. M.S. Subbulakshmi as greater honor. He was
honored by the State and Central Academy and by the
President of India as 'Padmashri'.
(List of Honors and Awards)
PLAYBACK SINGING:
'Ezhisai Mannar's' voice attracted the moviegoers
and soon the moviemakers came. His first song in the
movies was a classical piece, 'Siripputhan Varuguthaiya',
in the movie-Kalki's Ponvayal. It was simultaneously
recorded in Telugu as 'Lokamey Vichitrmaiyah'. He soon
became a famous playback singer, singing for popular
heroes-'Puratchi Thalaivar' MGR, 'Nadigar Thilakam'
Sivaji Ganesan, Prem Nazir, N.T.Rama Rao, Rajkumar,
Kalyan Kumar up until present day 'SuperStar' Rajnikanth.
He has sung a wide variety of songs for the movies-Devotional,
duets, romantic songs, comedy, background and folklore
songs for music directors from-G.Ramanathan, Sudarsanam,
Ramachandra, M.S.Viswanathan, T.K.Ramamurthy, K.V.Mahadevan,
T.R.Paapa, Sankar-Ganesh, V.Kumar, Ilaiyaraja and Deva.
In 1963, in an Orchestra concert at Shanmukhananda hall,
Bombay, by M.S.V. he sang 'Devan Kovil Maniosai'. Among
the audience were Lata Mangeshkar and Naushad, who wanted
to know the translation of the song, came backstage and
told him that his voice rang like the bell-loud and clear.
RECORDINGS:
'Innisai Vendhan' Sirkali soon became a household
name. His concerts and film music topped the popularity
charts. He began recording as an auditioned artist for
All India Radio, later on Doordarshan and the Gramaphone
Co., of India on 78, LP, SP, EP records. This was followed
by more recordings by EMI, AVM, Sangeetha and Indu Musik of
classical, traditional works of Sangeetha Mumoorthies,
and Nayanmars, Alwars, Vallalaar, Arunagirinathar,
Bharathiyar and Bharathidasan and contemporary poets such as
Kannadasan, Vali, Vairamuthu and many others. He has to
his credit innumerable records, cassettes, CDs and video
tapes. Along with All India Radio, Doordarshan, India,
he was recorded by the British Broadcasting Corporation,
Roopavauhini-Srilanka Broadcasting Corporation, Radio
Television Malaysia and Singapore, Mauritius Broadcasting
Corporation, and many Cable networks and
are preserved as Archival recordings. It is breathtaking
to even think that he has sung more than 15,000 songs at
a period of time when, for most of the songs, there was
no track mixing and modern day facilities. He received
the 'Golden Disc' for the Top-selling Devotional Artist.
(List of Recordings)
ACTING CAREER:
'Isai Thilakam' Sirkali's career took another
dimension when he was asked to take up acting. He had
the acting bug in him and the apprenticeship at Devi
Nataka Sabha and The Modern Theaters gave him the
confidence. However, he took great care to see that his
roles were aimed at spreading devotion and spirituality musically.
The role of Agathiyar seemed to be tailor-made for him.
(List of Films)
SPIRITUALITY AND DEVOTION:
'Gambeera Gana mani' as he was called by Kanchi
Periyava, at The World Hindu Conference, '77-made
devotion to God and Country his mainstay. Shri Kanchi
Kamakoti Mutt, Shri Dharumai Adheenam, Shri Bhuvaneswari
Adhishtanam, Shri Kunrakudi Adheenam, Shri Brittania
Hindu Shiva Temple Trust of London, Sri. Kripananda
Variyar Swami, Sri la Sri PandriMalai Swami and
Melmaruvathur Adhi Parasakthi Sithar Peetam, recognized
his spirituality and devotion and hailed him as the 'Cultural and
Religious Ambassador'. His religious faith only helped
him to understand better others. He joined in reciting
of Koran with Muslim friends in the Mosques at Mount Road,
Madras and Nagore. He had the magnanimity to respect fellow religions, which he expressed by his live concerts dedicated for religious harmony in Malaysia and India. In 1966, he gave a full length
concert of only Christian Songs at the Catholic Church,
at Kanyakumari. He was the first Tamil Artist to record
Christian Songs with HMV. Later, he also recorded the
songs of Veera Ma Munivar, an Italian Poet who wrote
songs on Christ in Tamil. His recent multi-religious album named "Emmadamum Sammadam" (Live in Malaysia) is released by Dreams Audio.
PATRIOTISM:
'Kalaimamani' Sirkali served
his duties to the country by singing the Invocation song
for many Government Functions, before many Chief Ministers,
Prime Ministers and Presidents. He sang benefit concerts
for the School for Handicapped Children, Gandhi Jayanthi
Functions, Republic Day and Independence Day Celebrations,
Flood and Drought Relief Fund Raising Concerts, World
Tamil Conferences, and songs on leaders like Gandhiji,
Kamaraj, Anna, Periyar and MGR. AIR recorded special
songs during the Indo-China War and the Bangladesh War.
He was the voice for programs such as Adult Literacy,
Family Welfare etc. His contributions to various Central Government and State Government funds at times of need for the country, deserves a humble mention.
POSITIONS SERVED:
'Tamil Isai Mannar' Sirkali started receiving
accolades long overdue. However, as the Gita says,
and like a true devotee, he placed everything at the
Lotus Feet of Lord Almighty. He was elected to be one
of the Secretaries of the Sri Thyaga Brahma Mahotsava
Sabha at Thiruvaiyaru, during which he dignified the activities of the Sabha by inducting more and more life members, promoters and devotees and implementing various reformative schemes with devotion. He was honored with 'Isai Per Arignar' the highest honor from Tamil Isai Sangam, Madras.
The Madras University, in its Post-Centenary Celebrations
awarded the 'Honorary Doctorate' in 1983. That same year
he was awarded the 'Padmashri' by then President Zail Singh.
'Padmashri' Dr. Sirkali also spent time, money and effort
towards education of music for the youth. He awarded
Gold Medals in his Guru's name at the Tamil Isai College
every year for the best student. He was appointed as a
Fellowship Professor by the University Grants Commission
at the Madras University, in 1978. He pooled his
remuneration from the awards and his professorship to
fund the scholarship programs in his Guru's name. In 1984,
he was appointed Dean, Faculty of Fine Arts, Annamalai
University. He revamped the Department, started the
Raja Muthiah Manram which had famous performing artists
giving lecture demonstrations, followed by free concert
for everyone. The first group of graduating students
have already become professional performers and have released their first cassette. He was the honorary principal of Tamil Isai College at Raja Annamalai Mandram, Chennai.
ULAGAM VAAZHGA:
'Isai Mani', 'Sangeetha Vidwan' Dr. Sirkali Govindarajan
lived a short but full life. At the young age of 55, he
left us for the Lotus Feet of The Lord on March 24, 1988.
His last words were "ULAGAM VAAZHGA"--i.e., Long Live The
World. He made this phrase a part of his daily prayer
and meditation, and so it remained till his last breath.
He is still missed not only by his family but his fans
as well.
Recently, AIR Trichy dedicated a special program to Dr. Sirkali Govindarajan, giving the listener an insight into his career and music. This program was compered by Thavil vidwan, Thiruvalaputhur Kaliyamurthy. Following this was an archival concert of Dr. Sirkali, with accompanying artists--Umayalpuram Sivaraman and M. Chandrasekaran.
We are happy that he left his Legacy behind through his son, Dr. S. G. Siva Chidambaram M.D. Under the able guidance of his father, 'Kalaimamani' Dr. S. G. Siva Chidambaram has absorbed the essence of his father's style and serves it with his own swing (More on-The Legacy-Dr. Siva Chidambaram).