Wed Dec 17 12:25:34 UTC 2025: Summary:

Renowned nagaswaram player Semponnarkoil S.R.G. Rajanna, a prominent figure in the Semponnarkoil tradition of nagaswaram music, has passed away at the age of 94. He was known for his performances alongside his brother S.R.G. Sambandam and was an asthana vidwan for several prominent religious institutions. He received numerous accolades, including the Sri Shanmukhananda Sabha’s National Eminence Award and the Music Academy’s T.T.K. Award for Excellence.

News Article:

Legendary Nagaswaram Maestro S.R.G. Rajanna Passes Away at 94

Chennai, India – December 17, 2025 – The world of Carnatic music mourns the loss of Semponnarkoil S.R.G. Rajanna, a celebrated nagaswaram player and exponent of the esteemed Semponnarkoil tradition. Rajanna passed away on Wednesday at the age of 94, leaving behind a legacy of musical excellence and dedication to his art.

Born into a family deeply rooted in the nagaswaram tradition, Rajanna, son of Semponnarkoil Govindasamy Pillai, rose to prominence performing alongside his elder brother, S.R.G. Sambandam. The brothers, known for their mastery of rakthi melam, captivated audiences across India and abroad. They served as asthana vidwans for esteemed institutions including the Dharmapuram, Tirupanandal, and Tiruvavaduturai Adeenams, and the Kanchi Sankara Math, and were frequently invited to perform at various samasthanams.

Rajanna’s grandfather, Ramasamy Pillai, holds the distinction of being the first nagaswaram player to record a disc, a testament to the family’s pioneering contributions to the art form. Rajanna honed his skills under the tutelage of Pandanallur Venugopala Pillai and Govindaswamy Pillai.

Throughout his illustrious career, Rajanna received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Sri Shanmukhananda Sabha’s National Eminence Award, presented to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of nagaswaram titan T.N. Rajarathinam Pillai. He was also honored with the Music Academy’s T.T.K. Award for Excellence.

His passing marks the end of an era for the Semponnarkoil tradition, but his music and influence will continue to resonate with generations of nagaswaram enthusiasts.

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