Padma Shri Winner's 60-Year Journey: From Poverty to Glory

Mridangam virtuoso Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam, a recent Padma Shri awardee, credits his mother, vocalist TR Anandavalli, for his success. Raised in a single-parent household after his father's early demise, Bakthavathsalam pursued his musical dreams with unwavering determination.

He views the Padma Shri honor as a significant recognition, especially noting that mridangam players have received it for two consecutive years. Bakthavathsalam advocates for increased recognition of percussion artistes, emphasizing their importance in Carnatic music.

With 60 years of experience, the 70-year-old artist arrived in Chennai with only his mridangam, determined to succeed. He recalled his mother's initial desire for him to have a stable job, a struggle that ultimately shaped his career.

Bakthavathsalam highlighted the importance of embracing change and learning from experience, referencing his uncle and guru, Thiruvarur Krishnamurthy. He also reflected on the career trajectories of younger musicians, stressing hard work and deep knowledge over the quick pursuit of awards.

His illustrious career includes collaborations with renowned artists like Zakir Hussain and Ravi Shankar, as well as film composers such as MS Viswanathan and Ilaiyaraaja. A major career highlight was performing at the 1992 Summer Olympic Games opening ceremony in Barcelona.

He also cherishes receiving an award from Maha Periyava Chandrasekharendra Saraswati and being named Sangita Kalanidhi in 2021. Bakthavathsalam believes musicians should actively promote Carnatic music, encouraging vocalists to perform in Tamil and engage wider audiences.

He stresses the responsibility of artistes to bring more listeners to the art form, asserting that a dedicated audience is essential for concerts to thrive.