Thanjavur Quartet were four brothers,
Chinnayya, Ponnayya (18041864), Sivanandam and Vadivelu,
who lived during the early 19th century and contributed to the development of Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music.
Carnatic music ( Karnaṭaka sangitam ) is a system of music commonly associated with Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. Most Carnatic compositions are only in Telugu and Sanskrit. The main emphasis in Carnatic music is on vocal music; most compositions are written to be sung, and even when played on instruments, they are meant to be performed in gāyaki (singing) style.