- CHINNIAH: He was an accomplished dancer and dance-master. Besides, he was also a composer, having composed Tana Varnams like 'Amba Souramba' and 'Amba Neelamba', Pada Varnams, Tillanas etc.
- PONNIAH: Ponniah was head and shoulders above the others as a composer. He was the pioneer in systematising the dance repertoire. His compositions provide ample scope for rasa, raga and bhava, which are the three important ingredients of dance. Several of his kritis like 'Ambaneelambari' (Neelambari), 'Satileni' (Poorvikalyani) and Tillanas are very popular among musicians.
- VADIVELU: A genius, he popularised the use of Violin in Carnatic music. He was the favourite artiste of Maharaja Swati Tirunal, who appointed him as the Asthana Vidwan (Court musician) of the Travancore court when he was hardly in his teens. A scholar in Tamil and Telugu, vocalist, violinist, composer and Bharatanatyam exponent, Vadivelu delighted not only the ruler of Travancore, but drew praise from Tyagaraja himself. Vadivelu learnt under a European missionary at Tanjavur.
- SIVANANDAM: A composer, Vina player and dance teacher, Sivanandam was the favorite of Maharaja Sivaji. His popular compositions include the Sabdam 'Venyudu' and the Todi Pada Varnam 'Danike Tagu Janara' etc
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