![]() While they have made the art of Bharatanatyam dance popular to people through their training, they have also written a number of Tana varnams and Kritis. The brothers Chinnayya Pillai, Ponnayya Pillai, Sivanandam Pillai and Vadivelu Pillai were employed in the courts of the Maratha King Serfoji II at Thanjavur. Musical Training of Thanjavur Quartet With the patronage and encourage of the King, they became aware of the nuances of Carnatic music from a number of exponents of their time including Muthuswami Dikshitar. Dikshitar also appreciated the Vadivelu Pillai as an Ekasandhagrahi - one who had the capability to repeat a song heard only once. The quartet wrote a set of nine songs called Navaratna Mala in tribute of their teacher. ![]() Compositions of Thanjavur Quartet There are many compositions by four brothers like Varnams and Kritis. Some of these, apart from the Navaratna Mala, are Amba Souramba and Amba Neelamba, Ambaneelambari (Neelambari), Satileni (Poorvikalyani). |