M.M. DanDapaaNi DEshikar - (August 27,1908 - June26, 1972 ) Dandapani Desikar was a supremo for decades in the field of devotional tamil songs and dominated several fields of activities like singing of tamil devotional songs, teaching, films, etc. He enjoyed a rich, absorbing voice and style best suited for tamil devotional pieces and he appeared just when Tamil Isai also was in its stride. Born at the pilgrim centre, Tiruchengattangudi near Nannilam, of Muthiah Desikhar, he studied at the pial-school at Poovanur and learnt Thevaram and music under his father as well as Manicka Desikhar, Sattayappa Nayanakarar and Kumbakonam Rajamanickam Pillai. He was very popular and widely respected for his attainments, musical compositions and contribution to the spread of tamil music.
He made his debut at Tirumarugal, noted for its Saivite shrine and for its brilliant nagaswaram maestro Natesan. He was teacher from his eighteenth year at the Okkur Lakshmanan Chettiar Thevara Patasala for ten years and was Professor and Head of the Department of Music, Annamalai University for fifteen years. He was giving concerts.
List of songs in "Tamil Isai Amudham" :-
1.Aanaimugathone
2.Kadavul Arulai
3. Yenainee maravathe
4. Arulavendum thaaye
5. Isaiyin yellaiye
6.Padavendum
7. Arulvaai angayar
8. Kalaimagale yenta
9. Yazhin animi
10. Sinamadaiyathe
11. Maname unakkithamai
12. Jega janani
13. Allai undidalam
14. Tamara pooh thadagamadi
15. silambosai
16. Aye meththakadinam