Sri Palghat T. S. Mani Iyer passed away in Madras, India, on May 30, 1981.

Born in 1912, son of Sri T.R.Sesha Bagavathar, he was given the name Ramaswami after his grandfather. He was later affectionately called "Mani".

He learned Mridangam playing under Sri Chathapuram Subba Iyer at the tender age of nine. While playing at local "Katcheries" with Sri Rama Bagavathar and Sri Ennapadam Venkatrama Bagavathar, Mani was spotted by the great Chembai Vaidyanatha. Chembai introduced Mani to the critical Madras audience in 1924, where he announced that his percussionist will be Palghat Mani Iyer. the audiences were dumbfounded. A boy of 13 years keeping up to Chembai’s virile gallop and complicated swara singing was almost impossible !

Four hours later the listeners were lost in ecstasy. A star with unusual talent in Mridangam playing was born !

At the age of 15 Mani Iyer became a disciple of the famous Tanjore Vaidyanatha Iyer and under this vidwan who taught Mani the higher aspects of the technique of Mridangam playing, Mani eventually became India’s greatest ever Mridangam player. His performances were marked by the dexterity of his fingers and his sweet song-like melody drawn from the drum.

Sri Palghat Mani Iyer was honoured time and again by musical associations and the India government. At one stage he was employed by the Maharajah of Travancore. The late President of India, Sri Rajendra Prasad presented Mani with a "Birudhu" and a special citation.

In 1965 he played at the Edinburgh Festival and the commonwealth Festival. In 1975 Mani played in the United States accompanied by his eldest son Sri T.R.Rajamani. In the States he was honoured with the title "TALA VADYA CHAKRAVARTHY" by Mahavishnu Jon Mclaughlin, a distinguished musician of the U.S.A. Sri Mani Iyer’s American performances were greeted with standing ovations from packed halls.

Sri Mani Iyer was a devotee of His Holiness Sri Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. He often played with the brilliant Tabla player Zakir Hussain, son of the internationally acclaimed master of tablas, Ustad Alla Rakha.

Some of the prominent disciples of the Mridangam Maestro were Umayalpuram K.Sivaraman, Palghat Raghu, his son Sri T.R.Rajamani and many others.

Many titles were bestowed upon Sri Palghat T.S.Mani Iyer, among them Sangitha Kalanidhi, Padma Vibushan and Sarvari. The world has lost a great master.