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Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar was born on September 1896 at Chembai village, Palakkad, Kerala. A great grandson of Chakratana Subba Aiyar, who was a contemporary of the musical trinity, and son of Chembai Anantha Bhagavatar, young Vaidyanathan had inborn talent for music. Chembai alongwith his brother Subramaniam learnt music from his father Anantha Bagavathar. Chembai's father Anantha Bagavathar was a talented vocalist & violinist. The Chembai brothers had their first concert in 1905 at a temple festival in a town called Ottapalam in Palakkad. One of the landmarks in the early career of the brothers was their concerts at the temple festivals in Vaikom and Guruvayur.
Chembai's first concert in Madras was in 1918 at the Triplicane Sangeeta Sabha. Chembai's concert career took a further upswing after this concert and he gave several performances all over the south. Chembai's career as vocalist spanned over 70 years, starting in 1904. Perhaps, the longest for any musician of the South. With his rich vibrant voice and a ringing tone, Chembai's music had a direct appeal to his listeners.
A few of the honours bestowed on Chembai are 'Padma Bhushan' bestowed by the President of India, theSangeet Natak Akademi award, Gyana Gandharva, Sangeeta Samrat, Sangeetha Kalanidhi, etc. Among his famous disciples is K.J. Yesudas.
