Chowdiah

Thirumakudalu Chowdiah (1895 – 19 January 1967), known popularly as Pitil Chowdiah, was a violinist from India in the Carnatic classical tradition. A disciple of vocalist Bidaram Krishnappa, he trained in the Mysore royal court, and went on to become one of the most sought-after accompanists of his era. He later emerged as a renowned soloist, particularly in the Mysore region during pre-independence India. In 1939, he was appointed Asthana Vidwan (court musician) of the royal court by the Maharaja of Mysore Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV.

To overcome the limitations of sound projection in large concert halls before the advent of electronic amplification, Chowdiah modified the traditional four-string violin by adding three extra strings, creating a distinctive seven-stringed violin that became his signature instrument. He is credited with more than 50 compositions in multiple languages. In 1957, he was honoured with the Sangita Kalanidhi by the Madras Music Academy, one of the highest honors in Carnatic music, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the highest Indian recognition for a performing artist. In 1958, he was nominated to the Mysore Legislative Council, the upper house of the state legislature of Karnataka. Chowdiah died in 1967 at the age of 72. The Kannada film actor Ambareesh was his grand-nephew.