Thanjavur Quartet
Encyclopedia
Thanjavur Quartet or Tanjore Quartet (Tamil
:தஞ்சை நால்வர்) were four brothers who lived during the early 19th century and contributed to the development of the Indian classical dance Bharatanatyam
and Carnatic music
. While they excelled in the art of Bharatanatyam, they have also authored a number of Tana varnams and Kritis. The brothers Chinnayya (1802–1856), Ponnayya (1804–1864), Sivanandam (1808–1863) and Vadivelu (1810–1845) were employed in the courts of the Maratha
king Serfoji II
at Thanjavur.
. Dikshitar appreciated Vadivelu as an ekasandhagrahi, one who had the ability to repeat a song heard only once. The quartet wrote a set of nine songs called navaratna mala in tribute of their teacher.
After a stint at the courts of Serfoji, the brothers moved to Travancore
and were patronised by Swati Tirunal. The king appointed Vadivelu as the court mucisian. Vadivelu also learnt to play the violin from a European missionary and introduced it in Carnatic music. Vadivelu also introduced the concept of Mohiniaattam
. Until then Kathakali
was the prevalent dance form in Kerala
and was confined to male dancers. Vadivelu elaborated and refined Mohiniattam along with Maharaja Swathi Tirunal, and this paved the way for women dancers in Kerala.
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
:தஞ்சை நால்வர்) were four brothers who lived during the early 19th century and contributed to the development of the Indian classical dance Bharatanatyam
Bharatanatyam
Bharata Natyam or Chadhir Attam, is a classical dance form from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, practiced predominantly in modern times by women. The dance is usually accompanied by classical Carnatic music...
and Carnatic music
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
. While they excelled in the art of Bharatanatyam, they have also authored a number of Tana varnams and Kritis. The brothers Chinnayya (1802–1856), Ponnayya (1804–1864), Sivanandam (1808–1863) and Vadivelu (1810–1845) were employed in the courts of the Maratha
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
king Serfoji II
Serfoji II
Serfoji II was the last ruler of the Maratha principality of Tanjore to exercise absolute sovereignty over his dominions. His descendants, however, have managed to thrive as titular Maharajahs of Thanjavur to the present day...
at Thanjavur.
Musical training
At the encouragement of the king they learnt the nuances of Carnatic music from a number of exponents of their time including Muthuswami DikshitarMuthuswami Dikshitar
Muthuswami Dikshitar is a South Indian poet and composer and is one of the Musical Trinity of Carnatic music...
. Dikshitar appreciated Vadivelu as an ekasandhagrahi, one who had the ability to repeat a song heard only once. The quartet wrote a set of nine songs called navaratna mala in tribute of their teacher.
After a stint at the courts of Serfoji, the brothers moved to Travancore
Travancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
and were patronised by Swati Tirunal. The king appointed Vadivelu as the court mucisian. Vadivelu also learnt to play the violin from a European missionary and introduced it in Carnatic music. Vadivelu also introduced the concept of Mohiniaattam
Mohiniaattam
Mohiniyattam, also spelled Mohiniattam , is a traditional South Indian dance from Kerala, developed by the Tamil nattuvanar Vadivelu,one of the Thanjavur Quartet. It is one of the eight Indian classical dance forms. It is considered a very graceful dance meant to be performed as a solo recital by...
. Until then Kathakali
Kathakali
Kathakali is a highly stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion...
was the prevalent dance form in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
and was confined to male dancers. Vadivelu elaborated and refined Mohiniattam along with Maharaja Swathi Tirunal, and this paved the way for women dancers in Kerala.