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The percussion instrument Mridangam reached its pinnacle of fame in the nimble fingers of Palghat T.S. Mani Iyer who geve it a separate entity and recognition as a very important instrument in the Carnatic Music field. Hailing from a big family of musicians this descendant from Palghat had his early training there and later blossomed into a fine mridangist under the tutelage of Thanjavur Vaidyanatha Iyer. He threw away the notion that the notes had to follow the song and brought to everyone's notice how the notes could flow along with the song. He played complicated notes smoothly and with ease and his playing melody and beauty. Recipient of the Padmabhushan award it is important to note that he was the first to be honoured with the title 'Kalanidhi' in the field of mridangam which he accepted under great pressure. He had toured all over the world the made mridangam an international instrument. A simple and modest man he wanted no accolades but his vast audience and admirers and listeners are proof of his greatness.