Among the galaxy of performer-cum-composers that Tanjavur (Tanjore) District produced in the past 2 or 3 centuries, Pallavi Duraiswami Iyer finds an honoured place. Considering the fact that his span of life was only 43 years only, his contribution of 50 compositions, including 3 varnams bespeaks of his precocious achievement. Duraiswami Iyer was an expert in 'Manodharma' aspect of singing which earned the appellation 'Pallavi Duraiswami Iyer' . The compositions were all in high flown Telugu and are remarkable for their poetic expression and individuality. All the krithis were in praise of Lord Shiva,albeit he adopted the 'angitam' as 'Subrahmanya'. Duraiswami Iyer was adept in the art of painting too. It is stated that he had hand painted around 200 paintings in handmade paper and around 17 of them are currently available with the surviving descendants.The theme of the songs composed by him was illustrated in each picture with an explanatory note in Telugu added beneath. The composer cum painter, that is himself was usually represented as standing at one end of the picture in a supplicating posture as a devotee of Lord Natraja.