The choir trembled when he took the podium. His rendering of music, of the world's greatest composers, left audiences dumbstruck. He was an exceptionally talented pianist, organist, conductor, composer and accompanist. We are talking genius. A genius who is no longer with us. A genius who made Classical Music popular to this part of the world and who put Chennai on the world's music map. A genius who lives on through his work. The conductor par excellence - Handel Manuel.

Handel Manuel was born in Tuticorin on April 27th, 1918. Named after the famous composer
G.F. Handel, not even his music-loving parents could fathom the great heights to which their son would rise. Handel was educated at the Madras Christian College, but not in Music. In fact he is one of the few composers in the world who can boast of being self-taught. He dedicated his life to music. And being a stickler for perfection saw him reach the pinnacle of success and greatness. He is the only Indian to be invited to the Tchaikovsky International Music Competition held in Moscow. He was appointed Producer, Emeritus, All India Radio. He was awarded the Padmashri in 1983. He was also awarded the 'For The Sake of Honour' award from Rotary. He is one of the chosen few who figures in the listing of the 'International Who's Who in Music'.

Church music was his first love. He was elected Honorary Life Member of the Royal School of Church Music, London. He was also recognised as India's best pianist. Alan Hovhaness, the famous American composer, dedicated two pieces to Handel - the "Arjuna Symphony" and an Organ Sonata.

Probably the best tribute comes from Rita Saldanha, his famous student, who professes that with Handel "It was always a labour of love, never of work."

Architect of the modern Carnatic music concert format, Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar was born on May 19th, 1890. The son of an astrologer, he was also scion of an unmatched musical genealogy that can be traced back right up to Saint Thyagaraja. His musical formation was under Ramanathapuram Srinivasa Iyengar. His debut was at a marriage function at Chettinad, where his guru had performed. At the host's request, Srinivasa Iyengar asked young Ariyakudi to perform as well.

Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar had a remarkably large repertoire. He was also known for the balance in his renditions, the taste of his selections for a concert, his extraordinary consistency and the devotion he infused his art with. He never let the eminence of his musicianship overshadow his accompanists' in his recitals. He presided over the conference of the Music Academy in 1938. For redefining the standards of concert performance, Carnatic Music owes more to Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar than to any other musician past or present.

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