C.S. Krishna Iyer
Education is the manifestation of perfection which is already in Man". These are the words of Sri Swami Vivekananda. every word of Swamiji is 100% true in the case of Sri Palghat Mani Iyer. His gurus Sri Palghat Subba Iyer, Alleppey Viswanatha Iyer and Tanjore Vaidyanatha Iyer just kindled the art of mridangam which was there already in Mani Iyer. Mani brought fame to his gurus by his utmost mastery in the art.
When Mani Iyer met Sri Vaidyanatha Iyer at Tanjore he was still in his teens. He was quite keen to study under him. On that day Sri Vaidyanatha Iyer had a concert. Mani Iyer went with him enthusiastically . After the concert at Sri Iyer’s house young Mani told Vaidyanatha Iyer, "Mamma I will play what you played in the concert. Can you see if they are correct. "Yes, Go on" said Iyer. Young Mani almost played all the korvais, Mohras etc., Vaidyanatha Iyer played in the concert very well. Mr. Iyer was wonder struck. He atonce presented Mani Iyer with a laced silk angavasthram. Thus started their friendship and guru sishya association. The sishya outshone all mridangam artistes of that time. Sri S.Y.Krishnaswami wrote "Mani Iyer began from the top and stayed there till his end".
How true are the divine words of Swami Vivekananda. Mani Iyer was a true genius. Mani was a born artist. Such great men are born in between several centuries only.
I can go on writing several interesting anecdotes about Mani Iyer’s life. The incident in the above note was told by Mani Iyer himself to me. As long as Carnatic Music and mridangam playing exists, MANI IYER will be remembered.
C. S. KRISHNA IYER.