Concerts of Chembai

== Early Career (1904–1915) ==

== Early Career (1904–1915) ==

[[Kaliakudi Natesa Sastry|Kaliakudi Natesa Sastri]] of [[Tiruvarur]], an exponent of [[Harikatha]] (musical discourse), visited Chembai village in 1909. Anantha Bhagavatar and his family attended the programs, and the boys joined Sastri's troupe. Their concert took place in Tiruvarur (in [[Tanjavur|Thanjavur]] district) at a guru [[puja (Hinduism)|puja]] festival, where Natesa Sastri gave a discourse. [[Pudukkottai]] [[Dakshinamurthy Pillai]], an exponent of the [[mridangam]] and [[kanjira]], heard the boys for the first time.{{cite web |last=Mahadevan |date=1 July 1981 |title=The Miraculous Maniiyer |url=http://geocities.com/~maniiyer/biography/mahadevan.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026054509/http://geocities.com/~maniiyer/biography/mahadevan.htm |archive-date=26 October 2009 |access-date=10 April 2017}} During their time with Natesa Sastri, they performed in various places and listened to performances by musicians such as Namakkal Narasimha Iyengar, Kallidaikurichi Vedanta Bhagavathar, [[Ramanathapuram Srinivasa Iyengar]], Konerirajapuram Vaidyanatha Iyer,{{Cite web |date=2024-11-08 |title=Chembai Sangeetolsavam turns 50, year-long celebrations as tribute to legend |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2024/Nov/25/chembai-sangeetolsavam-turns-50-year-long-celebrations-as-tribute-to-legend |access-date=2025-11-21 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}} [[Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavatar]], [[Madurai Pushpavanam]], [[Tirukodikaval Krishna Iyer]], [[Malaikkottai Govindaswamy Pillai]], and [[Pudukkottai Dakshinamurthy Pillai]] whenever possible. These experiences furthered the brothers' training, and after a year, they returned to Chembai in 1910 with more experience as musicians.Chembai Selvam – Biography of Chembai written by LRV, 1954 (pg 42)

[[Kaliakudi Natesa Sastry|Kaliakudi Natesa Sastri]] of [[Tiruvarur]], an exponent of [[Harikatha]] (musical discourse), visited Chembai village in 1909. Anantha Bhagavatar and his family attended the programs, and the boys joined Sastri's troupe. Their concert took place in Tiruvarur (in [[Tanjavur|Thanjavur]] district) at a guru [[puja (Hinduism)|puja]] festival, where Natesa Sastri gave a discourse. [[Pudukkottai]] [[Dakshinamurthy Pillai]], an exponent of the [[mridangam]] and [[kanjira]], heard the boys for the first time.{{cite web |last=Mahadevan |date=1 July 1981 |title=The Miraculous Maniiyer |url=http://geocities.com/~maniiyer/biography/mahadevan.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026054509/http://geocities.com/~maniiyer/biography/mahadevan.htm |archive-date=26 October 2009 |access-date=10 April 2017}} During their time with Natesa Sastri, they performed in various places and listened to performances by musicians such as Namakkal Narasimha Iyengar, Kallidaikurichi Vedanta Bhagavathar, [[Ramanathapuram Srinivasa Iyengar]], Konerirajapuram Vaidyanatha Iyer,{{Cite web |date=2024-11-08 |title=Chembai Sangeetolsavam turns 50, year-long celebrations as tribute to legend |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2024/Nov/25/chembai-sangeetolsavam-turns-50-year-long-celebrations-as-tribute-to-legend |access-date=2025-11-21 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}} [[Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavatar]], [[Madurai Pushpavanam]], [[Tirukodikaval Krishna Iyer]], [[Malaikkottai Govindaswamy Pillai]], and [[Pudukkottai Dakshinamurthy Pillai]] whenever possible. These experiences furthered the brothers' training, and after a year, they returned to Chembai in 1910 with additional experience as musicians.Chembai Selvam – Biography of Chembai written by LRV, 1954 (pg 42)

Chembai was invited to sing at a wedding for the family of Jnanaprakasa Mudaliar in [[Pondicherry (city)|Pondicherry]]. Up to this point, the brothers had performed concerts mainly in and around Chembai. They had travelled to several places with Natesa Sastrigal and sung at his discourses, but these mini-concerts were more like interludes. The performance in [[Pondicherry]] increased Chembai's visibility and led to further concert engagements.Chembai Selvam – Biography of Chembai written by LRV, 1954 (pg 86–88)

Chembai was invited to sing at a wedding for the family of Jnanaprakasa Mudaliar in [[Pondicherry (city)|Pondicherry]]. Up to this point, the brothers had performed concerts mainly in and around Chembai. They had travelled to several places with Natesa Sastrigal and sung at his discourses, but these mini-concerts closely resembled interludes. The performance in [[Pondicherry]] increased Chembai's visibility and led to further concert engagements.Chembai Selvam – Biography of Chembai written by LRV, 1954 (pg 86–88)

==Karur Concert (1913)==

==Karur Concert (1913)==