Papanasam Sivan Charitham - Tamil | By Dr. Rukmini Ramani

‘Papanasam Sivan Life History’ is the biography of the legend penned by his grandson Ashok Ramani, also a successful Carnatic musician. The book was compiled as a tribute commemorating the legend’s 125th birthday which fell in 2015.
The book starts with the musician’s struggle to support himself and his mother and goes on to vividly narrate a new-found love with music, while at work as a cook during Ram Navami celebrations.
Starting with his mentor Konerirajapuram Vaidyanatha Iyer, the book goes on to describe Papansam Sivan’s life, also covering his stint at Kalakshetra as a teacher. The absence of a traditional music curriculum takes the reader in awe and so does the determination of Sivan to learn music by simply listening.
The author is an accomplished vocalist and Mridangam player, who has accompanied and has been accompanied by senior artists.