Mysore T. Chowdiah

Mysore T. Chowdiah was a legendary Carnatic violinist from South India, known for his pioneering contributions to Indian classical music. Born in 1895 in Mysore, he was a disciple of Bidaram Krishnappa and became famous not just for his technical brilliance, but also for inventing the seven-stringed violin to amplify the sound during concerts — a major innovation in the field at the time. Chowdiah’s playing style combined deep emotion with powerful technique, making him a sought-after accompanist for some of the greatest vocalists of his era, including Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar and Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar.

Along with being an exceptional performer, Chowdiah was also a dedicated teacher and composer. He established the Ayyanar College of Music in Mysore and composed several varnams and kritis that are still performed today. His legacy lives on not only in the recordings and compositions he left behind, but also in the generations of musicians he inspired.

Genres

Folk

Classical

Jazz

Traditional Music

Contemporary Music

Fusion Music

Indian Classical

Carnatic

Latest Release

Rajamargam (Live Concert)

Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer•

Mysore T. Chowdiah•

Vellore G. Ramabhadran

Album - 19 Tracks - Released August 1, 2015