Question

Statement-I: Needamangalam Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai was a well-known Mridangam player.
Statement-II: Palaghat Mani Iyer was a Ghatam player.
Choose the correct option:

• A. Statement-I and II are false.
• B. Statement-I is true and II is false.
• C. Statement-I is false and II is true.
• D. Statement-I and II are true.

Hint:

Palghat Mani Iyer was a Mridangam legend, not a Ghatam artist—Needamangalam Pillai was also a Mridangam stalwart.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Statement-I: True

Needamangalam Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai was indeed a renowned Mridangam vidwan.
He was a legendary teacher and performer who trained several important percussionists.
Statement-II: False

Palghat Mani Iyer was a legendary Mridangam maestro, not a Ghatam player.
He revolutionized mridangam playing in the 20th century and is considered one of the greatest percussionists in Carnatic history.
Hence, only Statement-I is correct.