K. K. Antony

Call Number : PER-04

K K Antony

(27 April 1924 – 16 March 1987)

Composer, performer, teacher, and music director of Kalabhavan, Kochi

K. K. Antony was born at Welayanaad, near Irinjaalakkuda, in the Thrissur district of Kerala, as the sixth child of Kunjuwareeth (Malayalam, “Little George”) and Mariyam (Aramaic form of Mary). He was a member of the Syro-Malabar Church, one of the eight Syriac churches among the St. Thomas Christians. As a child he grew up listening to the Syriac liturgical chants in the Chaldean (East Syriac) tradition. He also received preliminary lessons in Karnatic music from his older brother Kunjuwarky (Malayalam, “Little George”). At the age of nineteen, Antony migrated to Sri Lanka (Ceylon, at that time) in search of a better life. There he continued his studies in music under such famous musicians as A. R. Krishnan Bhaagawathar. After touring with a Tamil drama troupe for some time, Antony Master took the job of music instructor at Saiva Mangayar Thilakam Music Academy. For about twenty years from 1945, Antony Master gave Karnatic classical music concerts frequently on Sri Lanka radio. During that period, he also composed background music for a few films. From 1965 to 1969, he lived in Malaysia and worked as music teacher and television program organizer.

Biography

Biography

Biography

K. K. Antony was born at Welayanaad, near Irinjaalakkuda, in the Thrissur district of Kerala, as the sixth child of Kunjuwareeth (Malayalam, “Little George”) and Mariyam (Aramaic form of Mary). He was a member of the Syro-Malabar Church, one of the eight Syriac churches among the St. Thomas Christians. As a child he grew up listening to the Syriac liturgical chants in the Chaldean (East Syriac) tradition. He also received preliminary lessons in Karnatic music from his older brother Kunjuwarky (Malayalam, “Little George”). At the age of nineteen, Antony migrated to Sri Lanka (Ceylon, at that time) in search of a better life. There he continued his studies in music under such famous musicians as A. R. Krishnan Bhaagawathar. After touring with a Tamil drama troupe for some time, Antony Master took the job of music instructor at Saiva Mangayar Thilakam Music Academy. For about twenty years from 1945, Antony Master gave Karnatic classical music concerts frequently on Sri Lanka radio. During that period, he also composed background music for a few films. From 1965 to 1969, he lived in Malaysia and worked as music teacher and television program organizer.

In 1969, Antony Master returned to Kerala. In the same year he met Fr. Abel Periyappuram, C. M. I. (1920-2001) at the Prior General’s House of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (C. M. I.), at Eranakulam. The meeting of two great minds changed not only their own lives, but also the history of Christian music in India. The two, along with Padmashri K. J. Yesudas (then an upcoming playback singer for Malayalam films) started the Christian Arts Club to promote Christian music. Soon, with the support of Joseph Cardinal Parecattil (1912-1987) and the Archdiocese of Eranakulam, the Club was registered with a secular name, Kalabhavan. For many years, promotion of Christian music continued to be one of the main activities of Kalabhavan, and Antony Master gave unreservedly his life and his talents for the cause. He remained teacher and music director of Kalabhavan until his death.

In physical appearance, Antony Master was over six feet tall and had a commanding presence. He was always dressed in white with a simple cotton dhoti and a long collarless shirt (referred to by a Persian word, jubba). In contrast to his polite and genteel personality, Antony Master possessed a powerful baritone voice, resonant and authoritative (one of my regrets is that, in spite of our close association, I did not document his speech voice for posterity). Antony Master died suddenly of heart failure on a hot summer day on 16 March 1987, and was buried at the cemetery of his native parish, St. Mary’s Church. Antony Master is survived by his wife Rosey, their two daughters Lilly and Lissy, and son Varghese Antony.

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