Maharajapuram Vishwanatha Iyer, a famed Carnatic music vocalist, was born in 1896. He took his lessons from Swaminatha Iyer and Thanjavur Rangappayar. He adopted a unique way in singing
ragas and kritis. Iyer also played
Mridangam. For his outstanding contributions, he was awarded the title of Sangita Bhoopati or the King of Music. Iyer died in 1970.