Paul Poovathingal (born 1961), popularly known as the 'Padum Pathiri' or 'singing priest of India', is a

carnatic music Carnatic music (known as or in the Dravidian languages) is a system of music commonly associated with South India, including the modern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and southern Odisha. It is o ...

(

Indian classical music Indian classical music is the art music, classical music of the Indian subcontinent. It is generally described using terms like ''Shastriya Sangeet'' and ''Marg Sangeet''. It has two major traditions: the North Indian classical music known as ...

) vocalist, composer and lyricist and is the first vocologist in India. He is an ordained priest in the religious congregation of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI). He has composed around 1000 songs and released 35 music albums. He is a disciple of the legendary Carnatic musician and playback singer Padmabhushan

K. J. Yesudas Kattassery Joseph Yesudas ( /jeːʃud̪aːs/; born 10 January 1940) is an Indian playback singer and musician who sings Indian classical, devotional and film songs. He is widely considered one of the greatest singers in the history of Indian m ...

and of Chandramana Narayan Namboothiri. He is the first Indian Christian priest in the world to earn PhD in

Carnatic music Carnatic music (known as or in the Dravidian languages) is a system of music commonly associated with South India, including the modern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and southern Odisha. It is o ...

. He has performed classical music before A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of India and before

Bharat Ratna The Bharat Ratna (; ) is the highest Indian honours system, civilian award of the Republic of India. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is conferred in recognition of "exceptional service/performance of the highest order", without distin ...

M.S. Subbulakshmi Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi (16 September 1916 – 11 December 2004) was an Indian Carnatic singer. She was the first musician ever to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour and also the first Indian musici ...

Spirituality and music

He focuses on the spiritual dimension of Indian classical music. He is also a proponent of music yoga ( nada yoga) and advocates regular practice of

pranayama Pranayama (Sanskrit: प्राणायाम, "Prāṇāyāma") is the yogic practice of focusing on breath. In classical yoga, the breath is associated with '' prana'', thus, pranayama is a means to elevate the ''prana-shakti'', or life en ...

to improve voice and general well-being. He also promotes religious harmony through the medium of music. His music repertoire encompasses devotional songs based on Christian, Muslim and Hindu religious themes. His music compositions are based on carnatic music melody (raga) using the Carnatic musical scale (swara). They have a humanistic and universal appeal. According to Poovathingal, "''music is a bridge between all religions''".

Inculturation In Christianity, inculturation is the adaptation of Christian teachings and practices to cultures. This is a term that is generally used by Catholics and the Orthodox, whereas Protestants (such as Anglicans and Lutherans), especially associated ...

of Music in Church in India
He has been an exponent of '

inculturation In Christianity, inculturation is the adaptation of Christian teachings and practices to cultures. This is a term that is generally used by Catholics and the Orthodox, whereas Protestants (such as Anglicans and Lutherans), especially associated ...

' or the process to express Christian faith through indigenous art forms, adapting indigenous cultural expressions. His research was in the field of

ethnomusicology Ethnomusicology is the multidisciplinary study of music in its cultural context. The discipline investigates social, cognitive, biological, comparative, and other dimensions. Ethnomusicologists study music as a reflection of culture and investiga ...

and focused on

and Christianity. He has popularised Indian Christian themes in Carnatic music. He introduced raga-based chanting in Christian liturgical music in

Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...

and

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

Education and career

Poovathingal learnt music, during his school years, from CC Chummar, a musician of

Viyyur Viyyoor is a residential area situated in the city of Thrissur in Kerala state of India. Viyyur is Ward 4 of Thrissur Municipal Corporation. It is dotted by a number of temples, churches, Mosques and is surrounded by lush greenery. It is about 4& ...

Thrissur Thrissur (, ), Renaming of cities in India, formerly Trichur, also known by its historical name Thrissivaperur, is a city and the headquarters of the Thrissur district in Kerala, India. It is the List of most populous urban agglomerations in Ke ...

. He used to win prizes in music competitions. He started studying Indian classical music at the age of 17 under Sodharan Bhagavathar of Varandarappilly, Thrissur. He started musical compositions while studying in the seminary. While studying in Christ College, Bangalore and Dharmaram Vidyapeeth, Bangalore, he continued his music practice under Vidwan VK Krishnamurthy. He completed his priestly formation and studies in philosophy and theology and was ordained a priest in 1990. In 1996, Tarangini Music produced music album 'Snehasarovaram' with 8 Christian devotional songs composed by him and sung by K J Yesudas and Sujata. In 1992 he joined the Sangeeth Siromani Course in Delhi University and continued his studies in music in

Delhi University The Delhi University (DU, ISO 15919, ISO: ), also and officially known as the University of Delhi, is a collegiate university, collegiate research university, research Central university (India), central university located in Delhi, India. It ...

earning M.A. Music Degree with distinction and earning the gold medal. In Delhi, he learnt music from T.N.Krishnan, T. R. Subramaniam, Leela Omcheri, Guruvayoor T. V. Manikandan, Vasanthi Rao, Radha Venkitachalam, Deepti etc. He continued his studies in Carnatic Music during 1996–2004 period and obtained M.Phil. and PhD in Carnatic Music from

University of Madras The University of Madras is a public university, public State university (India), state university in Chennai (Madras), Tamil Nadu, India. Established in 1857, it is one of the oldest and most prominent universities in India, incorporated by an ...

. In Chennai, he also learned music from Vaikom Jayachandran. His doctoral thesis submitted in 2003 was guided by Karaikudi Subaramanian, and titled 'Carnatic Music and Christianity'. He studied vocology in

Columbia University Columbia University in the City of New York, commonly referred to as Columbia University, is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Churc ...

in 2003 and at the National Center for Voice and Speech, Denver, Colorado in 2006. As a music researcher, he has published 11 research papers on various aspects of Karnatic Music and its relation to religion, philosophy and Christianity.

Indian classical music concerts

He has staged Indian classical music performances in USA, Canada, European countries,

UAE The United Arab Emirates (UAE), or simply the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, in the Middle East, at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a federal elective monarchy made up of seven emirates, with Abu Dhabi serving as i ...

Bahrain Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in West Asia. Situated on the Persian Gulf, it comprises a small archipelago of 50 natural islands and an additional 33 artificial islands, centered on Bahrain Island, which mak ...

, South Africa and

. His musical concerts have been widely acclaimed. Paul Poovathingal performed before A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of India, at the Rastrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on 11 June 2007. He was accompanied by Prof Abdul Aziz on the violin, Guruvayur Sanoj on the

mridangam The ''mridangam'' is an ancient percussion instrument originating from the Indian subcontinent. It is the primary rhythmic accompaniment in a Carnatic music ensemble. In Dhrupad, a modified version, the pakhawaj, is the primary percussion in ...

and Shornur Rajesh on the

ghatam The ''ghaṭam'' (Sanskrit: घटm ''ghaṭ''; Kannada: ಘಟ ''ghaṭa''; Tamil: கடம் ''ghatam''; Telugu: ఘటం ''ghataṃ''; Malayalam: ഘടം ''ghataṃ'') is a percussion instrument used in various repertoires across the ...

(a pot-shaped percussion instrument). He started the concert with 'Vatapi Ganapathim' in

Hamsadhvani Hamsadhvani (meaning "the cry of the swan"), is a rāga in Carnatic music (musical scale of Carnatic tradition of Indian classical music). It is an ''audava'' rāgam (or ''owdava'' rāga, meaning pentatonic scale). It is a ''janya'' rāga of the ...

(in praise of

Ganesha Ganesha or Ganesh (, , ), also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka and Pillaiyar, is one of the best-known and most worshipped Deva (Hinduism), deities in the Hindu deities, Hindu pantheon and is the Supreme God in the Ganapatya sect. His depictions ...

, the Hindu deity symbolising the power of the Supreme Being to remove all obstacles and ensure success in one's endeavours, and also symbolising the conquest of one's ego). This was followed by 'Salathullah Salamullah' (a song in praise of Allah) in Anandha Bhairavi ragam. He then sang 'Sree Yesu Natham' in

Abhogi Abhogi () is a raga in Carnatic music and has been adapted to Hindustani music. It is a pentatonic scale, an ''audava'' raga. It is a derived scale (''janya'' raga), as it does not have all the seven ''swaras'' (musical notes). ''Ābhōgi'' has ...

ragam. He also sang the song 'Jai ho, Jai Ho Bharatmata Ki', a national integration song evoking patriotism, in '

Kalyani Kalyani may refer to: Film and television * ''Kalyani'' (1940 film), a Hindi film * ''Kalyani'' (1952 film), a Tamil film * ''Kalyani'' (1971 film), a Kannada film * ''Kalyani'' (1979 film), a Telugu film * ''Kalyani'' (1983 film), an Oriya ...

' ragam. He ended the concert with the song 'Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu' (an invocation for harmony in all creation) in '

Madhyamavathi Madhyamavati (madhyamāvati) is a raga in Carnatic music (musical scale of South Indian classical music). It is an ''audava'' rāga (or ''owdava'' rāga, meaning pentatonic scale), as it does not have all the seven musical notes (''swaras''). ...

ragam'. Abdul Kalaam referred to their musical troupe as a 'national integration team' uniting religions and hearts.

Chetana Sangeet Natya Academy

The Chetana group of Institutions for Performing Arts in Thrissur, Kerala, India, is managed by the CMI Congregation. Chetana Sangeet Natya Academy, Thrissur was founded by Poovathingal in April 2005. It was inaugurated by K J Yesudas and blessed by Cardinal Vithayathil. Currently he functions as Director of the Academy. In February 2007, he produced Arnos Pathiri's Puthenpana (Life of Christ) using Indian Classical Dance form (

Bharata Natyam ''Bharatanatyam'' is a Indian classical dance form that came from Tamil Nadu, India. It is a classical dance form recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and expresses South Indian religious themes and spiritual ideas of Hinduism and Jainism. ...

and Mohiniattam) and Karnatic Music. He provided the concept and composed the music along with Abdul Azeez. The dance was choreographed by Kalamandalam Shobana Sajeev Kumar and Kalamandalam Husnabanu. The music was sung by Kalamandalam Rajeev. The dance was presented by teachers and students of Chetana Sangeet Natya Academy.

Chetana Music College

In 2007, Chetana Music College, Thrissur was inaugurated by K.J. Yesudas. The College is currently affiliated to the

. Poovathingal is the founder-Principal of Chetana Music College.

Chetanotsavam

Poovathingal has been organising Chetanotsavam, a national music and dance festival, at Chetana Sangeeth Natya Academy, Thrissur since 2005. Chetanotsavam-2010 was a two-day music and dance festival organised by Chetana Sangeet Natya Academy and Chetana Music College in Thrissur. The highlights of the festival included a two-hour Carnatic music concert by Mavelikkara P. Subramaniam, a kuchipudi dance performance by Sreelakshmi Govardhan and a contemporary dance by a Mexican artiste Abril Gomez.

Chetana National Institute of Vocology

Paul Poovathingal founde
Chetana National Institute of Vocology
in

, Kerala, India in 2005. The Institute of Vocology is the first of its kind in India. Prof Ingo Titze (known as the father of vocology) is an advisor to the Board of the Institute. The Institute has been conducting certificate courses and seminars on vocology. The Institute also has a voice clinic run by Poovathingal.

Voice clinic

Poovathingal is a pioneering vocologist of India, helping those who have voice problems. His voice clinics and

vocology Vocology is the science and practice of vocal habilitation, or vocal training and therapy.Titze IR. (1996). What is vocology? Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology, 21:5-6. Its concerns include the nature of speech and language pathology, the defects of ...

seminars help to guide musicians, actors, teachers, managers, speakers, lawyers and anyone who uses voice, to improve voice delivery.
Fr. Paul Poovathingal says: "''Voice is a gift from God. Every voice is unique and distinct. Voice is an inseparable part of human personality.''"

Recognition and awards

He has received the awards listed below: * Fr.Paul was honoured By Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, President Of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan( President's House) 2007 * Saraswathi Millennium Award (2006) from the Saraswathi Trust, New York City. * Rio Grande Puraskaram (2007) from Indian Cultural Association, McAllen, Texas, USA. * Kerala (India) Catholic Bishops Conference Award (2008) for contribution to Christian classical music. * Kala Ratna Award (2009) from Kala Sadan, Thrissur, India. * Senior Fellowship award from Cultural Ministry, Govt.of India, New Delhi *

Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award is an award given by the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, an autonomous organisation for the encouragement, preservation, and documentation of the performing arts of Kerala, set up by the Department of Cultu ...

(2014) for Carnatic Music (Indian Classical) * Maryvijayam Award, Thrissur, Kerala 2015 * Sander K. Thomas Cultural Award, Thrissur, Kerala 2015 * Thrichur Archdiocesan media Award, Thrissur, Kerala 2018 * J.C. Daniel Kalaratna Award 2019 * Dr.Suvarna Nalappat Trust Award, Guruvayoor 2019 * Indo-American Press Club International Award, Houston, USA 2019 * Fr.Paul was nominated as a member Fine Arts Faculty( advisory Board) of Malayalam University, Thirur, Kerala

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Poovathingal, Paul Living people 20th-century Indian male classical singers 1961 births Indian classical composers Malayalam-language lyricists Syro-Malabar priests Musicians from Thrissur Male Carnatic singers Carnatic singers Singers from Kerala 21st-century Indian male classical singers 20th-century Indian composers Recipients of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award