Mysore Ananthaswamy was regarded as one of the illustrious singer of Kannada Sugama Sangeetha who became the household name in the Indian state of Karnataka. Today the work that he has done has been reckoned as `monumental` especially in cases of light music. For about 40 years, this astonishing personality aimed at spreading the songs of famous Kannada poets in the nook and corners of the state. He had fetched great achievement in this regard. In its true sense he can be ornamented as the "king" of light music.
Early life of Mysore Ananthaswamy
Mysore Ananthaswamy was counted as the first amongst the few people who attempted to instil the literature to the heart of not-so-erudite people. He was born to a family of musician. Vidwan Chikkarama Rao was his grandfather who was regarded at that time as "Taala Bramha". It was quiet imperative for Mysore Ananthaswamy to follow the footstep of his grand father. He had sharpened his music skills that he imbibed through a natural process first by classical music and later by rehearsing with the likes of P. Kalinga Rao.
Career of Mysore Ananthaswamy
Mysore Ananthaswamy, in a usual manner, depicted music to the poems of D. R. Bender, K. V. Puttappa, K. S. Narasimhaswamy, G. S. Shivarudrappa, Nissar Ahmed and Lakshminarayana Bhatta and exhibited the asseveration of his natural talent. He had been magnetized with his rendering of D.V.G.`s Mankutimmana Kagga and Rajaratnam`s Ratnana Padagalu. The unique identity that Mysore Ananthaswamy had established through his composition was that he could cognizance the essence of the poem. He used to compose the music incorporating the mood of that poem as he possessed extremely extraordinary sense of blending different style of music into poetry no matter whether it is Carnatic or Hindustani Classical Music or western.
Several poets, singers and listeners have agreed that his works stood out for its melody and meaning. Kurigalu Sir Kurigalu, Ede Tumbi Haadidenu, Tenavina, Madikerili Manju etc are very celestial compositions which offers the idea to the listener that music is indeed an elementary base of the poem. The renditions of Mysore Ananthaswamy have been admired by numerous connoisseurs of music too. His voice had the strength of meditation that could enchant the listener. Before applying it in music form he always used to scrutinize each and every word of the poem and the outcome undoubtedly was a fine blend of literature and music.
Personal Life of Mysore Ananthaswamy
Mysore Ananthaswamy was married to Shantha. Apart from an accomplished singer, he also had a large student abiding by in light music.