Chowdiah was a violin maestro of Karnatik music. A student of Bidaram Krishnappa, he was renowned both as an accompanist to legendary vocalists, and as a soloist. Chowdiah modified the four-stringed violin, by adding three additional strings. The resulting seven-stringed violin increased its amplification, allowing it to be heard clearly in a pre-microphone era. Chowdiah was guru to many disciples, and founded the Ayyanar College of Music. What is perhaps less known is that Chowdiah was also a music composer, and is said to have composed nearly 50 compositions – mainly krithis and thillanas.