Legendary

Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman: A Maestro of the Mridangam

Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman (born December 17, 1935) is a legendary Indian musician and exponent of the mridangam, a percussion instrument central to Carnatic music. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest mridangam players of his generation, known for his virtuosity, innovation, and deep understanding of the instrument.

Here's a summary of his life and achievements:

Early Life and Training: Born into a musical family, Sivaraman began learning mridangam at the age of five. He studied under renowned gurus like Palghat Mani Iyer and Kumbakonam Rangu Iyengar, honing his skills over 15 years.

Academic Background: Despite his musical pursuits, Sivaraman also earned a B.A. and B.L. degree from the University of Madras, demonstrating his intellectual curiosity and dedication to diverse fields.

Musical Accomplishments: Sivaraman's career has been marked by numerous achievements. He has performed extensively across India and internationally, collaborating with renowned Carnatic vocalists and instrumentalists. He has also composed and innovated new rhythmic patterns, expanding the possibilities of the mridangam.

Awards and Recognition: Sivaraman's contributions to music have been recognized by prestigious awards, including the Padma Vibhushan (India's second-highest civilian honor), the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and the Kalaimamani title. He is also a recipient of honorary doctorates from universities in India.

Legacy: Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman continues to be an active performer, teacher, and ambassador of Carnatic music. His dedication to the mridangam has inspired generations of musicians and helped preserve this ancient art form.

Vocals

‪@hsivaramakrishnan‬ (Harish Sivaramakrishnan)

Harish Sivaramakrishnan wears many hats: a soulful *playback singer* in multiple languages, the lead vocalist of progressive rock band *Agam**, and the **Chief Design Officer* at CRED. He blends tradition with innovation, winning a *South Indian International Movie Award* for his Carnatic-infused "Veyyon Silli." Beyond music, his design expertise shapes user experiences, highlighting his multifaceted talent.


Violin

Mysore Karthik, son and disciple of violinist Mysore M Naragaj, is a well-known violinist who made a mark in the Carnatic music industry at a young age. He has been playing the violin since the age of eight and is among the youngest musicians in India to be awarded an A grade from All India Radio and Doordarshan.

Karthik, who is associated with percussion ensemble ‘Layatharanga’ and Carnatic jazz group ‘Saagara’, has toured and performed in various countries like Qatar, Denmark and Germany.


Khanjira

Guru has played with doyens of percussion and melody – a full list would run to multiple pages. Suffice it to say it includes the likes of Umayalpuram Sivaraman, Guru Karaikudi Mani, Trichy Sankaran,  T.K. Murthy,  Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna, Prof. T.R. Subramaniam, N. Ramani, T.N. Krishnan, T.N. Seshagopalan, K.S. Gopalakrishnan, A. Kanyakumari, Mysore Nagaraj, Mysore Dr. Manjunath, M.S. Sheela, Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh, Sanjay Subrahmanyan, U. Shrinivas, Vijay Siva, Dr. S. Sowmya, Malladi Brothers, and many more.

Guru is a postgraduate in engineering from BITS Pilani and is employed fulltime as a Senior Engineering Manager in a multinational software company – he says that it is a dual passion for him – music and technology – and that he enjoys his job which he has been pursuing for twenty three years. “My concert experience and association with music is even longer though – more than thirty years,” he says.