Carnatic musician SR Janakiraman passed away at the age of 98

Eminent Carnatic musician, teacher and musicologist SR Janakiraman, the last disciple of the late Tiger Varadachariar, passed away in Chennai on Friday. He was 98.

SRJ, as he was known in music circles, was renowned for his erudite lectures and demonstrations that once dominated Chennai’s December music festival season.

Born in Lalgudi, Janakiraman was afflicted with smallpox and lost the ability to see in one eye. He could not go to school until he was 11 years old. After learning from Thanneerpalli Krishnamoorthy Iyer and Shaptharishi Iyer, he joined Kalakshetra in Chennai to study the Sangita Siromani course.

Music historian Lalitharam said Janakiraman’s talent was noticed by Rukmini Devi Arundale, founder of Kalakshetra. She admitted him to the class of a senior student and brought him under the direct tutelage of Tiger Varadachariar. He learned music under the gurukula system from Tiger Varadachariar. He also studied under Tirupampuram Swaminatha Pillai, Musiri Subramania Iyer, T. Brinda, Professor Sambamurthy and PK Rajagopala Iyer.

Research, publication

After working as a music teacher at Madanapalle and Tirupati Music College, he joined the Music Academy where he continued his research and published books. He translated Sangita Sampradaya Pradarsini, an important text on South Indian music, into English.

He was conferred the Padma Shri and Kalaimamani awards, apart from being awarded the Sangeeta Kalacharya and several other awards.

Published – 06 Sep 2026 22:39 IST