Sri R. K. Murthy (Kavi
Kannan) was born in June 1944 in a family, which provided
him with Carnatic
music rich environment. It should be noted that Sri
Karaikudi Mani, the
Mridangam maestro, was his maternal uncle. Though Sri
Kavi Kannan did not have any formal
training in music, he picked up its intricacies at a very
young age and he is a
good singer. He graduated with a degree in Commerce and
worked in a public sector insurance company. Sri
Kannan specialized in the area of public relations, stress
management and
training. His training classes were very popular, which led
to his continuing
his training programmes even after he took voluntary
retirement.
Sri Kavi Kannan’s passion for Tamil
literature, combined with his talent in art of speaking,
came into fruition by
the grace of jagan-mata, prompting him to deliver religious
lectures. His
project started with Abhirami Antadi. Sri Kavi Kannan
created the lectures with the help of
materials available from stalwarts like Sri Ki. Va.
Jagannathan, Sri Kripananda
Variar, Sri Suki Sivam and others. These lectures were
delivered in Chennai, India. This was followed by lectures
on Kamakshi Virutham,
Kandar Anubhuti, Narayaneeyam, and
Andal's Thirupavai. He draws inspiration for his lectures
from his
religious Guru Mullaivasal Sri R Krishnamurthy Sastrigal,
former Principal of
Madras Sanskrit College.
Turned as a Vagyeyakara (Composer of poems), he
included his own composed songs in Tamil, which was tuned to
carnatic ragas, in
his lectures with religious fervour. He has become popular
not only with
Chennai audience but has also performed at many places
outside Chennai. He is
affectionately called as "Kavi Kannan", a title bestowed by
Kanchi
Mahaswamigal.
His lectures are recorded and are available
in MP3 format. While there is no price for these audio
lectures, devotees are
requested to donate to “Mullaivasal Heritage Trust”, which
is created by Sri R Krishnamurthy Sastrigal
for conducting Sastra patasala.