Obituary: V Kamalakara Rao, Renowned Mridangam Vidwan, Passes Away at 88

Varadarao Kamalakara Rao, a celebrated mridangam maestro, passed away on November 11, 2024, in Rajahmundry at the age of 88. A revered disciple of the legendary Palghat T.S. Mani Iyer, Kamalakara Rao was known for his artistry and dedication to Carnatic music, which resonated both across India and internationally.

Born on June 8, 1936, in Rajahmundry, Kamalakara Rao showed a keen interest in music from a young age, encouraged by his father, Sri G. Varada Rao, a philanthropist and music enthusiast. Starting his early lessons under Sri Raju Garu, he later trained with Sri Varanasi Yagnanarayana Sastry and then with Sri Yella Somanna of Pallakollu. Recognising his potential, his father arranged for him to study under Padma Shri Palghat T.S. Mani Iyer, under whose guidance Kamalakara Rao flourished in the Gurukulavasa tradition, to become a celebrated musician.

A graduate of Andhra University, Kamalakara Rao was awarded the President’s Medal by Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan during his college days. He began accompanying at concerts as young as eight and gave a memorable performance at age 12 alongside Violin Everest Sri Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu, earning admiration from audiences and the maestro himself.

Throughout his distinguished career, Kamalakara Rao provided mridangam accompaniment for renowned artists, including G.N. Bala Subramaniam, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar, and Mandolin Srinivas. His performances were featured in prestigious Sangeet Sabhas across India, and he even played at the United Nations Hall in New York, bringing the rhythms of mridangam to a global audience.

In recognition of his contributions, he was honoured with the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, among numerous other awards and accolades. His performances enriched many national music programs on All India Radio and special broadcasts on Doordarshan.

Kamalakara Rao’s artistry and dedication leave a lasting legacy in the world of Carnatic music, and he will be deeply missed by his family, disciples, and countless admirers worldwide.