Dhakshinamoorthy Pillai (1875–1936), was a leading mridangam and kanjira artist who accompanied musicians in Carnatic music concerts from 1875 to 1925. Pillai took lessons from Pudukottai Manpundia Pillai and was influenced by the music of Thanjavur Krishna Bhagavathar, Thanjavur Pakkari and Narayana Pai. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Murugan and went on to become famous as Chinmayananda Guru. His pupils include Palani Subramania Pillai, Thanjavur Ramadas, Palghat Mani Iyer, Devakottai Sunder Raj, Paravur Kochu Govindan Asan [father of Paravur Devarajan ] and Thangavellu Pillai of Malaya. His other important disciples are Madurai Thiruvenkatathaiyaa and Pudukkottai Dhakshinamoorthy Achariyar.