Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana (4 August 1927 – 11 July 2013) was a doyen and multi-faceted Carnatic classical musician. Gifted with a sonorous voice and great caliber, he adhered to classicism while being a musicologist, erudite scholar, and outstanding teacher. He was a performer and lecture demonstrator of universal appeal, author of valuable works on music, innovator of teaching methods, and a great visionary.
Early Life and Family
Nookala was born on 4th August 1927 at Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh, India to Smt. Yegnachayanamma and Sri Annapurneswara Sarma, a 'Srividya' upasaka. His mother fostered his talent and gave him basic training in music, becoming the cause of his lifelong passion for music. His father always motivated and encouraged him. He was married to Smt. Sesha, daughter of Smt. Annapurna and Sri Ayyalasomayajula Kameswar Rao, and had seven children. Their home in Secunderabad was famous for its hospitality to guests, students, and visitors.
Musical Journey
Nookala was spotted as a musically talented boy in traditional theatre, handling boy roles with gusto. However, classical music attracted him from the start. He began as a violin student under Sri Kambhampati Akkaji Rao, who led him to Sri Mangalampally Pattabhiramayya at Vijayawada for three years. Attracted by the legendary Prof. Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu, he went to Vijayanagaram to learn violin. Prof. Naidu gave him total encouragement and tutored him fully. Nookala accompanied Prof. Naidu on concerts all over India, and Prof. Naidu introduced him to Dr. Sripada Pinakapani.
Artistic Development
Under Dr. Pinakapani's influence, Nookala's singing style underwent a sea change. He sharpened his analytical approach, achieving deeper understanding of music's science and art, developing a unique style of infusing raga bhava in every note and phrase. Though attracted by several musical greats, he never aspired to become their clone, developing his own style while never departing from classicism, emphasizing the beauty of 'raga' and meaning of 'kriti' with special attention to diction.
Academic Career
During his four-decade administrative career, he held various prestigious positions:
- Professor, Maharaja's Government College of Music and Dance, Vizianagaram
- Professor, Telugu University, Hyderabad
- Principal, Government Music College of Secunderabad
- Principal, Government Music College of Hyderabad
- Principal, Government Music College of Vijayawada
- Principal, Sri Venkateswara College of Music, Tirupati
Leadership Positions
- Founder President of Viswakala Parishat
- Chairman Board of Studies - Andhra University
- Chairman Board of Studies - Sri Venkateswara University
- Expert Member - Andhra University
- Expert Member - Madras Music Academy
- Member Audition Board and Committee - All India Radio
Awards and Recognition
- Padma Bhushan (2010) - India's third-highest civilian honor
- Sangeetha Kala Acharya (Music Academy, Chennai)
- Hamsa Award/Kala Ratna (Government of Andhra Pradesh)
- Annamacharya Vidwanmani (Sri Annamacharya Project of North America, Chicago)
- Saptagiri Sangeeta Vidwanmani (Sri Tyagaraja Festival Committee, Tirupati)
- Nada Nidhi (Sri Ganapathi Sachidananda Swamy)
- Nada Hridayagnaha (Swami Dayananda Saraswati)
- Nada Sudharnava (Murali Ravali, Madras)
- Emeritus Fellowship from Government of India
- President's Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
- Senior Fellowship of Department of Culture, Government of India
Asthana Vidwan
He held the honor of being Asthana Vidwan at:
- Sri Tirumala Tirupati Devastanam - Tirupati and Pittsburgh, U.S.A.
- Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham of Kanchi
- Sringeri Sankara Peetham of Sringeri
- Pushpagiri Peetham of Pushpagiri
- Ganapati Sachidananda Ashram - Mysore
International Recognition
Nookala traveled worldwide, covering United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, and Mauritius. He gave performances and lecture demonstrations at prestigious universities including Cambridge, Oxford, Edinburgh, London, Wakefield (UK), Wesleyan, Wisconsin, Columbia, and Colorado (USA). His demonstrations compared Carnatic music with other world music systems, proving its universal appeal and comprehensive nature.
Teaching Legacy
The title Mahamahopadhyaya is given to musicians who have trained a hundred students. Dr. Nookala trained several hundreds of students ranging from beginners to doctorate trainees, five-year-olds to 75-year-olds, prodigies to minimum gifted students. He was the favorite choice of SPICMACAY (Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth).
Viswakala Parishat
Dr. Nookala founded Viswakala Parishat, a non-profit organization for music and related activities. Through this platform, he conducted chamber music concerts and music festivals of great composers, especially using it to launch young and talented artists.
Testimonials from Legends
- Sri Paramacharya of Kanchi: "Your music is divine"
- Sri Bhagavan Satya Sai Baba: "Your music is devotional and also oceanic" (gifted him an emerald ring)
- Padmasri Dwaram Venkata Swamy Naidu: "Your intellectual grasp and talent are mercurial"
- Sri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer: "You are a buddhisali"
Legacy
Dr. Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana passed away on 11 July 2013, less than a month before his 90th birthday. His commitment to music, spanning over six decades, his innovative teaching methods, and his contribution to preserving and propagating Carnatic music continue to inspire musicians and music lovers worldwide. His life remained dedicated to music - singing, teaching, writing about music, and planning its propagation.
