Muthu Thandavar

Muthu Thandavar (1525 – 1600 CE) (Tamil:முத்துத்தாண்டவர்)was composer of Carnatic music. He was an early architect of the present day Carnatic "kriti" (song) format, which consists of the "pallavi" (refrain), "anupallavi" and "charanam". He lived in the town of Sirkazhi in Tamil Nadu. His contributions to Carnatic music have been largely forgotten and not many of his "kritis" are in vogue today. Muthu Thandavar, along with Arunachala Kavi (1712–1779) and Marimutthu Pillai (1717–1787) are known as the Tamil Trinity of Carnatic music.
Muthu Thandavar also composed several "padams", short songs mainly sung accompanying Bharatanatyam performances. Some of these "padams" are still popular such as "Teruvil Varano" in raga "Khamas" and "Ittanai tulambaramo" in raga "Dhanyasi".
Compositions.
Very few of Muththu Thandavar's compositions have survived the test of time. Sixty of them have been collected. Twenty five "padams" are also available. Some of his compositions that are sung in music concerts are: "Arumarundonru tani marundidu" (Raga Mohanam or Kambhoji), "Pesade Nenjame" (Raga Todi), "Kaanaammal Vinile" (Raga Dhanyasi or kAmbhoji), "Teruvil Varano" (Raga Khamas), "Unai Nambinen Ayya" (Raga Keeravani), "Isane Koti Surya Prakasane" (Raga Nalinakanti), "Darisittalavil" (Raga Latangi), "Sevikka Vendumayya" (Raga Andolika), "Innum Oru Taram" (Raga Simhendramadhyamam), "Ambara Cidambaram", "Innum Oru Stalam" (Raga Suratti), and "ADikonDAR" (Raga Mayamalavagowla).