Shri. Trichy Thayumanavan AKA Malaikottai Thayumanavan was a master in multiple percussion instruments. He started learning mridangam at the age of 7 under Kumbakonam Rajappa Iyer. Attracted by his knowledge, Dakshinamurthy Acharyar of Pudukottai took him to Pudukottai to teach him the nuances of mridangam.

Mr. Thayumanavan had worked as a Top Grade artiste in mridangam in the Akashvani (AIR) of Tiruchi. He later mastered ganjira and kunnakol and became ‘A’ Grade artiste for those instruments too. He was a recipient of several awards,including the ‘Kalaimamani’ award instituted by the State government.