First woman Nadaswaram artiste dead

MADURAI: The first woman Nadaswaram artiste, Madurai M S Ponnuthayee (87), died here on Tuesday after a brief illness. She was living with her younger daughter Balasundari in Pudhur Karpagam Nagar, Madurai.She is survived by son Thangavel Murugan, daughters Vallirani and Balasundari. She was married to freedom fighter A Chidambara Mudaliar. Ponnuthayee, born in Ayakkudi near Palani of Dindigul district, settled in Madurai after her marriage. She played Nadeswaram in the presence of former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru during the All India Congress Committee meeting held in Madurai in 1962.  She also performed at the Rastrapathi Bhavan, when Dr Radhakrishnan was the President of India.She was honoured with various awards including Kalaimamani, Muthamizh Perarignar, Nagagnana Rathna, Kalai Mudhumani.