Sripada Pinakapaani was a renowned Carnatic vocalist and musician. The government of India honored Pinakapani with Padma Bhushan for his immense contribution to classical music.
Apart from his career as a musician, Pinakapani was a medical doctor, administrator and professor in medicine. Pinakapani was the grandfather of popular playback singer Chinmayi Sripada.
Personal Life:
Sripada Pinakapani was born on 3 August 1913 at Priya Agraharam in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh to Pinakapani Kameswara Rao and Jogamma. His father was a junior professor of education at the Government Training College, Rajahmundry.
Being highly influenced by classical music, Pinakapani completed his music training under Lakshmana Rao. In the quest of learning, Pinakapani would also listen to Hindustani music of Indubala, Bal Gandharva, Vyas and others on gramophone records and would learn from there. Pinakapani was later trained under the guidance of violin maestro Dwaram Venkatswamy Naidu.
Pinakapani got married in 1940 and had three sons and a daughter. Popular singer Chinmayi Sripada is the granddaughter of Pinakapani.
Fondly called “Doctor Singer of Kurnool”, Pinakapaani's interest in medicine led him to pursue MBBS. He completed MD (general medicine) in December 1945. Pinakapani worked as an Assistant Professor at the Madras Medical College and later at Andhra Medical College. Pinakapaani also held the position of Professor of Medicine in 1954 and retired in the same position from Kurnool Medical College. He also worked as an administrator in Andhra Services.
Professional Career:
Pinakapani, also lovingly called Pani, excelled in Carnatic vocal and music. Pani had a deep understanding of different genres of Indian classical music and performed at major festivals and concerts across India.
In the field of music Pani was impressed by music doyens like Ariyakudi, Govindaswamy Pillai, and Naina Pillai. He had soft corner for Ariyakudi’s and Govindaswamy Pillai's music. He would assimilate elements of “Tanjavur style”. Pani would listen to musicians in different concerts which had a profound influence on his music as well.
Pinakapani was a selfless teacher who taught pupils with utmost dedication and whole heartedly. His disciples included performers like Voleti Venkateswarlu, Nedunuri Krishnamurthy, Nookala Chinna Sathyanarayana, Srirangam Gopalaratnam and Malladi Suribabu.
Pani was also a writer per excellence and he wrote several books on music. His books on Carnatic music included "Sangeetha Sourabhamu", "Sangeetha Yatra", "Mela Raga Malika", "Manodharma Sangeetham and "Pallavi Gana Sudha".
Pani is known for his immense contribution to Indian classical music. He is known to have made great additions to creative music as he evolved his own distinctive style. Pani was considered the 'producer of melody' as he produced a voluminous treatise on Carnatic music.
Ill Health and Death:
Towards the later part of his life Dr. Pinakapani's health deteriorated and due to paralysis he got bed-ridden since 2004. His physical condition, however, could not deter him from pursuing music and he continued pursuing music and teaching from his bed. Pani breathed his last on 11 March 2013.
Words and Wishes:
Saddened by the news of the passing away of this great musician several people offered condolences to this great soul. They are:
Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy: Expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of noted Carnatic musician Dr. Pinakapani. He recalled the services of Dr. Pinakapani and extended his condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family members.
K. V. Ramana Murthy, Chairman, State Cultural Council: Said that though Pinakapani, recipient of the first ‘Telugu Velugu’ award from the Cultural Council, was a doctor by profession, he chose classical music as his vocation.
Awards and Recognition:
The government of India honored Sripada Pinakapani with the Padma Bhushan for his immense contribution to Indian classical music in 1984. In 1977 he was honored with Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. For his contribution to art and music he received the title of Sangeetha Kalanidhi. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams awarded him the Gyana Vidya Vardhi in 2012. The Indian Fine Arts Society, Chennai, bestowed on him the Sangeetha Kalasikhamani award in 1970. In 1978 the Andhra University honored him with Kala Prapoorna and in 2011 he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Tagore Fellow.
Granddaughter: Chinmayi Sripada
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I met Dr. Pinakpani in 1962, when he was Prof. Medicine at Kurnool Medical College. He was an avid Tennis Player and suffered from "Tennis elbow" and had to stop for a while. "Indocid" was just introduced and I insisted that he try this new drug from Merck and he did. After that he resumed Tennis Playing. Always serious but in heart simple jovial person with tremendous compassion for his patients and fellow men. I later came to know his students in Music and how great they became due to his blessings and training.
INDIAONLINE.IN
(FAN OF Dr. SRIPADA PINAKAPANI)
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NARESH AKKISETTI (Follower)
Sir, I need a book "Manodharma Sangeetam By Dr. Sripada Pinakapani sir" eagerly waiting for your reply