Ramana Maharshi Devotee Smt.D.K. Pattammal

Damal Krishnaswamy Pattammal (28 March 1919 – 16 July 2009) was a prominent Carnatic musician and a playback singer for film songs in many Indian languages.

She along with her contemporaries M. S. Subbulakshmi and M. L. Vasanthakumari were (and still are) popularly referred to as the Female trinity of Carnatic Music.

Pattammal was born in an orthodox Brahmin family in Kancheepuram of Tamil Nadu, India. She was named as Alamelu, but fondly called "Patta" as a child prodigy. Her father, Damal Krishnaswamy Dikshithar, who was deeply interested in music, inspired her to learn Carnatic music. Her mother, Kanthimathi (Rajammal), although a talented singer herself, was not permitted to sing even for friends or relatives in line with strict orthodox tradition.Despite her orthodox background, Pattammal sang and showed considerable music talent at an early age.

She would also sing simple devotional hymns and songs that her father had taught her.Later, she received tuition from an unnamed Telugu-speaking musician, whom she would call "Telugu vadyar" or "Telugu teacher".He'd also offered to teach her Telugu and Sanskrit.

Pattammal started a few revolutionary trends in Carnatic music.She was the first Brahmin woman to have performed this genre of music publicly.

Her father was a devotee of Bhagavan and so she used to accompany her father often to Tiruvannamalai. As an infant of just three months old, when her father took her for the first time, Bhagavan Ramana,graciously spread on her tongue two or three drops of honey!

Her father said that because of this, she had become a famous classical singer. D.K. Pattammal has also given a concert during one of Bhagavan's Jayanti celebrations in the Asramam. Her brother D.K.Jayaraman was also a staunch devotee of Bhagavan and a singer of repute.

Pattammal has performed in all major states, sabhas and venues throughout India, as well as numerous destinations around the world, including the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sri Lanka and other countries.

Awards and titles

D. K. Pattammal has received several awards and titles throughout her career. Most notably these include:
“Gana Saraswathi” (a title bestowed on her by the musician Tiger Varadachariar)
"Sangeetha Sagara Ratna" (title)
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1961)
Sangeetha Kalanidhi (1970; highest accolade in Carnatic music)
Padma Bhushan (1971; from the Government of India)
Fellow of Sangeet Natak Akademi (elected in 1992)
Padma Vibhushan (1998; India's second-highest civilian honor)
"Sangeeta Saraswathi" (2006; award bestowed by Guruji Viswanath, founder of Manava Seva Kendra)

Sources:

1) Arunachala's Ramana, Boundless Ocean of Grace. Sri Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai, Volume 5
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D._K._Pattammal