Pazhani Subramania Pillai- Mridangam Solo

Here is a real treat for mridangam conoisseurs. One of the greatest mridangists in history. His technique very different from Palghat Mani Iyer.
Here he plays a solo in Adi Taalam from a concert in 1959. It is a very old clip so turn the volume up or use ear phones.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• avarthanam
• carnatic
• classical
• drums
• indian
• mridangam
• music
• pazhani
• percussion
• pillai
• solo
• subramania
• tabla
• thani

[pitquote]

There are many giants in Mridangam whose names were just not known in today century

1. Kutralam Siva Vadivel Pillai- Mridangam

2. Palghat Mahadeva Iyer- Mridangam

3 Kandadevi Alagirisamy

4. Hariharan

5. Ghadam Ramachandran

6. Parur (i do not know the name) if i am right Parur Anandha raman (violin)

They are all exponents who gave new dimension to the mridangam

Unfortunately no technology was available to save their performances. (even tape recorder was not available ) Any one having- please

[sonofthedestroyer]

@pitquote,

Excellent post. Many thanks for this

[Manjural]

May I know what exactly is the technical difference between this tanjore bhani and pudukkottai bhani???

[sonofthedestroyer]

@Manjural,

I am not really sure myself how to explain the technical differences.

But you can perhaps get a rough idea by listening to Trichy Sankaran (pudukkottai) and Umayalpuram Sivaraman (Tanjavur) and comparing. Palghat Raghu is famous for blending the 2 styles better than anyone else.

[reluctantguru]

While the trio of PMI, PSP and CSM have to be categorized under 'Na Bhuto, Na Bhavishyati,' having listened to all 3, I have to say that, to me Palani sir is THE greatest and his playing the best - Guess it is a matter of personal preference (Could possibly also be due to the fact that I was exposed to PSP's playing both during pre-natal dev. and for a large part of my early years).

[sonofthedestroyer]

@reluctantguru,

He played the most complex patterns of the 3 i think. Some prefer that. Others prefer Mani Iyers exceptional timing. CSM to me sounds like he has traits of PSP and PMI in his playing

[WarzSchoolchild]

The Mridangam is pure balm, and is the most healing of instruments. Pure Nectar!

THANKS!

[MridangamFan]

Great clip...listening to it I can certainly see Trichy Sankaran Sir's style!

[raghav1976007]

@Manjural

Technically from a tala perspective, there is no difference between the two styles. But, its the way of expression, 'solkkattu' and the fingering that differs. Palani's style is more sollu based or pattern based. Thanjavur bani relies more on explicit kanakku (maths) and they use TADINGINATOM in different forms to xpress the beauty of a composition, just to give an example. But in Palani's style this TADINGINATOM will be expressed in a sollu example - Dim--Nankitataka

[vidya423]

This is my bro's guru's guru ! This is a rare collection , thanks for uploading !! =D

[pitquote]

Sorry- Trichy sankaran took the notes from this mastero. Not other wise

[raghav1976007]

@Manjural There is not technical difference as such between these 2 schools, coz its the same stuff thats being played. The way of xpression differs. Tanjore bani relies more on arithmetic patterns and karvais (intervals). Pudukottai bani is 'Sollu' based. Even korvais are sollu based. I feel sollu based style is aesthetically more appealing, mayb im biased coz I am student of this school.

[muralierode]

excellent. I remember in early 70`s mike were provided only to vocalist and violinst.. I request you to upload miriduangam excerpts of one of the doyen Shri C S Murugabhoopathy sir. thank you