The only daughter and heir to the musical genius of Sangeetha
Vidwan Kalaimamani Late. Shri Kunnakudy Venkatarama Iyer who
was referred to as a doyen of both Carnatic and Cine Music Industry
of Yesteryears.
Her grandfather the late Kunnakkudy Shri
Subbaier was renowned Harikatha Vidwan. Her father was
a great Carnatic sangeetha vidwan who learnt music from the legendary
Mazhavarayanedal Shri Subbarama Bhagavathar, who was one of the
earliest recipient of “ Sangeetha
Kanlanidhi” of The Music Academy, Chennai. Apart
from his career as a classical muician, He has worked in many
films as the Music Director, movies like Mangayarkarasi, Kuberakuchela
and Kannagi to name a few. He also had many a famous personality
as his disciples’ legends such a P.U.
Chinnappa, T.T. Mahalingam and T.T. Rajakumari were the
disciples of him.
He was renowned for his work towards the preservation
of the Tamil Folk style of songs known as KAVADI
CHINDU, composed by Senniokulam
Annamalai Reddiar. He worked in AIR Chennai as a Music
Producer. He has also composed quite a few Varnams suitable for
Bharathanatyam.
Her father initiated Shrimathi
Kunnakkudy Bala into carnatic music at the tender age of
5. She has been giving programmes for the
past 25 years. In the beginning of her career. She teamed
with her Sister T.S. Subbalakshmi and were known as the Kunnakkudy
sisters. Later She started performing solo and she also inculcated
many a Semi-classical and devotional numbers in her performance.
This brand of performance of performing both Carnatic and Semi-classical
population thereby earning her quite an amount of popularity.
She has performed in many a prestigious association like the Tamil
Sangam of Nagpore, South Indian Association, Hyderabad et., and
has been repeatedly invited to perform in temples like Palani,
Thiruchendur (Eight times ), Madurai ( Two times ), Nagarcoil
( 4-5 times in different timples ) , Suchindram ( 3 times ) Kanyakumari
( 2 times), Coimbatore ( in different places), Tirutttani (4 times),
Thiruparankundram, Rameswaram ( 4 times)
Taking efforts to publicise the KAVADI
CHINDU traditional folk songs. Have learnt this from her
father who learnt it from his forefathers.
KUNNAKKUDY BALA is
making arrangements to release the Kavadi chindu with notations
shortly. Have released the (second edition) songs fo Vedanayagam
Pillai with swara notations.
KUNNAKKUDY BALA was a Visiting
Professor for Kavadi Chindu in Annamalai University at Chidambaram.
Enrolled as a vocalist in the ICCR
artiste list.
Enrolled in the list of South
Zone Cultural Centre.
KUNNAKKUDY BALA
is celebrating the Memorial Day of Kunnakudy Venkatarama Iyer
in the month of October on which competitions for vocal are being
held for school children. About 100 schools from the city are
being called and will be participating in two groups (each) for
this competition. Prizes are being
given on the day of Memorial Day Celebration.
