Thavil Vidwan Nachiyarkovil Raghava Pillai | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Thavil Vidwan Needamangalam Meenakshisundaram Pillai had a feeling of déjà vu when he heard his student Nachiyarkovil Raghava Pillai playing the corvette – those were the pieces he had heard from the stalwarts of his time.

Raghava’s father Pakkiriya Pillai was a famous Nattuvanar. Raghava trained for two years under Thiruvalputhur Pasupathiya Pillai and for 11 years under Neidamangalam magician. He also became his son-in-law.

Raghav soon became a ‘special’ Thavil player, brought in as an addition to the Thavil scholars who were part of a set.

There are four important notes in the percussion instrument Tha Dhee Thom Nam. Thanjavur Govindaraja Pillai, who performed Gurukulvasam under Raghava Pillai, says, “Though my guru was excellent in his rendition of all the solas, his rendition of ‘Tha’ was unique.” “Perumpallam Venkatesan, another disciple, used to say that his guru’s specialty was the uniformity of his expression, which throbbed with life, no matter what solukattu he played and no matter what the Kala Pramanam was.” Praising his dexterity in handling Thavil, Sudeshmitran magazine said that he should be renamed Laaghava Pillai (Laaghava – ease or skill in Sanskrit).

“These days we have metal rings in place of bamboo rings and steel thavils in place of leather straps. After three or four concerts, the leather straps would become loose and had to be tightened, and this was a laborious process that required expertise. Nachiyarkovil Rajagopal Pillai was Raghava Pillai’s assistant to adjust the straps,” says Govindraj Pillai.

Raghav Pillai’s house Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Govindraj Pillai says that his guru was generous towards his disciples. During a Janavasam in the family of an industrialist, Karukurichi Arunachalam suggested that Govindaraja Pillai stay with him for a while, and his guru gladly made way for his disciple. He encouraged his students, but did not exaggerate in his praise, because he did not want them to become complacent.

Raghava Pillai’s son Vasudevan says, “My father always upheld the dignity of Thavil scholars.” Actor SS Rajendran wanted Raghava Pillai to act in his house-warming ceremony, and sent him an advance of Rs 1,000 . This was a few months before Raghav Pillai’s death, when his medical expenses were rising. But, while the invitation mentioned Nagaswaram maestro Karukuruchi Arunachalam, the names of Thavil players were inadvertently left out. Raghav Pillai returned the check and refused to play.

After a concert during a temple festival at Thiruvizhimizhalai, the priest of Dharmapuram Adheenam honored Thiruvizhimizhalai brothers Subramaniam Pillai and Nataraja Sundaram Pillai and Needamangalam Meenakshisundaram Pillai by presenting them shawls. Unfortunately, the authorities had forgotten to arrange a similar honor for Raghava Pillai. However, despite the Thiruvizhimizhalai brothers asking them to step down, the NRP continued playing as the Mangalam had been played. When Pope was informed about the lapse, he also honored Raghav Pillai, and only then he stopped playing.

Many Sri Lankan Thavil players trained under the legends of Chola Nadu. In Sri Lanka, during temple performances, Indian and Lankan Thavil scholars vied with each other to demonstrate their percussion skills, giving the whole thing a bit of a competition. These friendly competitions attracted crowds much like a modern India vs Sri Lanka cricket match. Always, the knowledgeable audience was overwhelmed by Raghav Pillai’s performance and would happily shout, “India wins!”

Raghava Pillai with Karukurichi Arunachalam | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The great actor Sivaji Ganesan once arranged for a Karukurichi concert with five Thavil Vidwans, including Raghava Pillai, for a family function. Vasudevan recalls that the audience was shouting for Thani Avarthanam even before Karukurichi played. Karukurichi asked the Thavil scholars to proceed. Raghava Pillai started Thani, which lasted for two hours, after which he asked Karukurichi to start. But once again the audience had to wait. So Thani continued for another hour, before Karukurichi finally took over. Enchanted Shivaji showered basketful of currency notes on Raghav Pillai.

Raghava Pillai’s first outing was at the Nachiyarkovil temple, where he played for the Thiruvizhimizhalai brothers. His last concert was for the junior Thiruvezhimizhalai brothers – Govindaraja Pillai and Dakshinamoorthy Pillai during the Nachiyarkovil yesterday Garudan festival.

Although Raghava Pillai acted for all the top Nagaswaram artistes, he had a special relationship with Karukurichi Arunachalam, who died on April 6, 1964. Raghava Pillai followed him four days later! Ananda Vikatan’s obituary for two scholars was about an imaginary concert in Devloka.