Mridanga Vidwan Madras A. Kannan is no more among us. He passed away at the age of 99 recently. The percussionist was known for his innovations and mastery over style. Born in 1920 in Chennai (then Madras), Kannan received training on his all-time favourite instrument mridangam under many gurus, first under Thanjavur Ramadoss Rao between the ages of six and eight years. Then his father Adhimoolam took him as a child to Ramana Maharishi and he played mridangam in front of the seer and was appreciated by him as a child prodigy. At the age of 12, he played at the Mysore Palace in front of Maharaja Krishna Rajendra Udayar. And also he was appointed as a state artiste by Tamil Nadu' in 1981.
Honoured with many accolades, he was the first mridangist to have played for the first inaugural concert ‘Ragam Thanam Pallavi’ in All India Radio, Chennai with Mazhavarayanendhal Subbarama Bhagavathar on vocal in 1943. Recipient of the Kalaimamani award in 1971,.
Playing with artistes from all generations — Tiger Varadhachariar, Ariakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Chembai Vaidhyanatha Bhagavathar, Dr.Balamuralikrishna, GNB, Madurai Mani Iyer, Dhandapani Desikar, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, Madurai Somu, TN Seshagopalan, Mandolin Srinivas, Chitravina RaviKiran, Sriram Parthasarathy and even for the great grandson of Parur Sundaram Iyer — Kannan became the only accompanist to play for four generations of Parur Family. He also used to deliver demonstrations at various sabhas and gave advanced training to students, including 6th generation disciples from South Africa.
