Simizhi Sundaram Iyer


Simizhi Sundaram Iyer was a Carnatic music composer.

Profile

Simizhi is a small village near Kudavasal, in Nannilam taluk of Tanjavur district. Sundaram Iyer was born in 1884 as one among four brothers and a sister. He is supposed to have started singing when he was 5–6 years of age. When he was about 8–10 years old, he learnt under Maha Vaidyanatha Sivan's elder brother, Ramaswamy Sivan at Tiruvaiyaru. Sundaram Iyer married his own uncle's daughter and had two daughters.
He taught Carnatic music to many. Tiruvarur Rajayi learnt from him. Tirukottaram Saminatha Mudaliar and Kavalakudi Mudaliar also patronised him.
Later, he moved to Mayavaram to teach a few people. He decided to stay permanently in Mayavaram and taught people like Mayavaram Rajam, Mayavaram Krishna Iyer, Flute Rajaramayyar and others. Violinist Mayavaram Govindaraja Pillai is also supposed to have learnt from him. Mudicondan Venkatarama Iyer used to visit him in Tiruvarur and later Mayavaram, frequently, stay with him for a couple of days, and learn music.