Brief Bio

I have been learning the mridangam since the age of 5 under the tutelage of Mridangam maestro Vijay Ganesh. I am currently receiving training online from a well-known mridangist in India Neyveli Narayanan. I have performed at numerous prestigious festivals and won many prizes and accolades in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area, as well as Cleveland, Ohio, Philadelphia and so on.

I started my own YouTube channel called Mridangam 101, where I share nuances of the art that I have learnt over the years. I am a passionate classical musician, and I have been in orchestra since 4th grade. I played viola in elementary school and have been playing the double bass since 7th grade. I have been the lead bassist for our Varsity Orchestra since my junior year, and was a part of my high school’s award-winning musical The Addams Family as a member of the pit orchestra. Additionally, I am the Vice President of the orchestra student leadership. Through learning the double bass, I have also learned the electric bass and have played it at multiple concerts throughout high school, as well as for parts of The Addams Family musical.

I recently started learning the rhythm pad, an electronic instrument that can play many different types of percussion. Besides accompanying various vocalists and violinists in prestigious performances, I also accompany Indian classical dance performances by lending percussive support.

About My Passion for Percussion

Ever since I started playing the mridangam, I knew I would love it. Percussion instruments can play in a multitude of styles and stand out due to their rhythmic nature rather than melodic like most other instruments. My passion for percussion led me to not only continue the mridangam for over twelve years, but to also start learning the rhythm pad. I find music therapeutic and it helps me focus better. My involvement in the music field has given me opportunities to delve deeper into the nuances of it and explore the limitless possibilities when it comes to expanding my creative process. I have also had the privilege of meeting some of the world renowned musicians and stalwarts. Knowing that they are so humble even though they are highly exemplary artists has taught me the value of being rooted to my value system and showing empathy to others.

What is Mridangam?

Mridangam (pro: Mru-dung-um) is an ancient South Indian classical percussion instrument which has its origins at least 2000 years ago. The word Mridangam literally means “Body of clay”; Angam means body. The instrument when played, produces different tonal sounds and lends a strong support to Carnatic vocal concert and dance performances. The Mridangam  is played sitting down cross legged, and has two sides to it.  The left side is the bass and the right side the treble, and mridangams can be played with the treble being at any pitch from A through G, depending on how each instrument is built. The ability to produce various, intricate rhythmic patterns involving complex mathematical calculations that fit into a beat cycle and being able to blend seamlessly with the musical notes speaks of the high caliber of the mridangam artist.