(Article in Tamil By “Kalki” writing as “KARNATAKAM” in Anandha Vikatan dated 27.12.1937. Translated by KV Ramanathan).

If Sriman Rajarathnam can be said to be scaling the heights of skill in nadhaswara music, Tiruvengadu Mani can be said to be demonstrating the heights of melody. Mani’s playing does not have the frills, tempo or vakra swara usages of Rajarathnam. But the sweetness of music and delight to the ears are indeed more. Sriman Rajarathnam appeals to the intellect of rasikas who wonder “Is this possible?”. But Tiruvengadu Mani’s musical melody goes through the ears of the rasika straight to the heart and captures it. When he played ‘Rama Ninne’ in Husseni that day I could not control my tears try as I might. There can be no doubt that this talent, of being able to melt the heart in playing a musical instrument, is a rare gift. His performance lasted from 8.30 pm to midnight, Sriman Chakravarti Rajagopalachariar (of course, Rajaji, the then Congress Premier of Madras Province) who came there by accident sat through the entire performance in obvious enjoyment. “What is so surprising about this” one may ask. It is indeed a wonder. Achariar is not like some of us mad about music. He has always expressed surprise at large number of people listening to concerts patiently for four hours and wondered what they found so attractive about it. That he should have stayed for full duration and enjoyed Sri Subramania Pillai’s concert, is doubtless a great compliment to Pillai’s playing.

Tiruvengadu Subramania Pillai had one gold tooth. That he is good as gold, as a human being, was also obvious. If you ask how human qualities come in to a discussion of music, my answer is that this was a benefit performance (for the Congress Party) and so provided the occasion. The Congress Committee had promised him the return train fare. After the performance, they told him that he had come on his own anyway, they would pay him only his return fare. “As you please” said Sriman Subramaniam, content with whatever they gave him. Not only that he added firmly, “If you want me to perform once again for the Congress, I shall be ready to do so”. If Congressmen yield to this inducement, I would tell rasikas: “All of you also say firmly ‘Whatever the time of the day at which the performance is to be held, we shall surely be present’.”