 Iyer's name is associated with acts such as Kancheepuram Naina Pillai, Konerirajapuram Vaidyantha Iyer, Pudukottai Dakshinamurthy Pillai and Pazhani Muthiah Pillai, all giants of an earlier era in Carnatic music.He sought out the nuances of their music and taught them to his students.The effect of such a training is evident in the music of the Alathur Brothers.