Nagercoil Harihara Iyer Biography 
Nagercoil Harihara Iyer was a famous carnatic musician and exponent from Nagercoil of present-day Kanya Kumari district, Tamil Nadu. He was an expert of Violin, and a vocalist too. He lived during the period, 1916-1994. He inherited music from his forefathers. He has trained many students in vocal and violin. He was the younger brother of Nagercoil S. Ganesa Iyer, famous carnatic musician and vocalist. His father Sthanu Bagavathar was a Sanskrit professor in Annamalai University. His mother Narayani was associated with Travancore music family. His second brother Padmanabha Iyer too was a vocalist and musician, who followed family tradition of music.
Nagercoil Harihara Iyer was born in Nagercoil of Tamil Nadu in 1916. He belonged to a musical family, with many artists linked to Harikatha, Carnatic vocal and harmonium. He inherited music from his parents. He along with his brothers followed the same music tradition and also taught many students to promote Carnatic music. Sthanu Bagavathar, along with his sons - Nagercoil Harihara Iyer and Nagercoil S. Ganesa Iyer are well known for promoting Tamil krithis of Lakshmana Pillai. He was popularly called as NSH in music circle. The family has together performed for many music concerts in the first half of 20th century. He has also performed solo, apart from accompanying other vocalists.
As a performer, he started off in the year 1933. Within a short period, he also achieved the status of his family members as musicians, through his outstanding performances. He was conferred the title Sangeetha Surendra by Puri Sankaracharya in 1948. He learnt harmonium from his elder sibling, Nagercoil Padmanabha Iyer. He learnt violin from Kodaganallur Subbiah Bhagavatar and TK Jayarama Iyer. During his lifetime he taught at Kalakshetra, both vocal and violin.
Published: September 08, 2018
Updated: September 08, 2018
