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**NeroASERCH** · 02-24-2006, 08:00 AM

Drums and the man

Percussionist Sivamani launches his first album ‘Mahaleela’ in style

Photo: S. S. Kumar

UNIQUE SOUNDS At the launch of Mahaleela

From an early age, Anandan Sivamani has had an exquisite ear for beats. By twelve, the precocious child was concert material. A percussionist working in the film industry, Sivamani’s father S.M. Anandan asked playback singer S.P. Balasubramaniam, in the middle of a concert, to let the boy play the drums for five minutes. More out of respect for Anandan, SPB gave Sivamani the last five minutes of the concert. In response to the boy’s drumming, the audience erupted in sustained cheer. And, SPB became Sivamani’s fan for life. Thirty seven years from then, on his 49th birthday (December 1), Sivamani thanked SPB in the most fitting manner — the veteran playback singer received the first copy of Sivamani’s first album ‘Mahaleela’ from Lakshmi Anandan, the percussionist’s mother.

The tracks in the album (twelve with a mix of vocal and instrumental) dwell on important events, stages and people in Sivamani’s life. There were music directors A. R. Rahman and Sam Joseph, percussionist Vinayakram, ‘Mandolin’ Srinivas, filmmaker T. Rajendar and a whole lot of other well wishers at the launch.

However, the function began on a solemn note. The absence of sound engineer Sridhar, who passed away in the early hours of the day, was deeply felt. There was an air of gloom around Rahman and Sivamani. On the latter’s request, a silent prayer was offered for Sridhar and the victims of the recent terror attacks in Mumbai (Sivamani was supposed to have given a performance on November 27 at The Oberoi, Mumbai).

Soon, the hall at Green Park Hotel was booming with the beating of drums, as three groups of percussionists performed, one after the other. As the guests walked in, they were greeted with percussion sounds that are played at a traditional Hindu wedding. After the guests had settled down, chenda, percussion music from Kerala, played. Walking in a file, the percussionists were led by a man who played the kombu, an arched instrument made of brass, and capable of three timbres.

Child percussionists performed in the minutes preceding and following the launch of ‘Mahaleela’ and KKVM Record, Sivamani’s label. ‘Mahaleela’, marketed and distributed by KKVM (standing for wife Krishani, son Kumaran, daughter Vashika and Mani), has been compiled with the help of Zakir Hussain, ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram, Louis Banks, Hariharan, Shankar Mahadevan, Leeladri Kumar, Naveen (flute), Harmeet (keyboards) and Steven Babloo. The singers include Hariharan, Shankar Mahadevan, Alma from Bosnia and Lomajin from Mongolia. The lyrics are in Tamil, Hindi, English and Sanskrit. The audio CD is available at leading music stores in the city.

02-24-2006, 08:00 AM	#1
NeroASERCH Join Date Jul 2006 Posts 5,147 Senior Member	Drums and the man Percussionist Sivamani launches his first album ‘Mahaleela’ in style Photo: S. S. Kumar UNIQUE SOUNDS At the launch of Mahaleela From an early age, Anandan Sivamani has had an exquisite ear for beats. By twelve, the precocious child was concert material. A percussionist working in the film industry, Sivamani’s father S.M. Anandan asked playback singer S.P. Balasubramaniam, in the middle of a concert, to let the boy play the drums for five minutes. More out of respect for Anandan, SPB gave Sivamani the last five minutes of the concert. In response to the boy’s drumming, the audience erupted in sustained cheer. And, SPB became Sivamani’s fan for life. Thirty seven years from then, on his 49th birthday (December 1), Sivamani thanked SPB in the most fitting manner — the veteran playback singer received the first copy of Sivamani’s first album ‘Mahaleela’ from Lakshmi Anandan, the percussionist’s mother. The tracks in the album (twelve with a mix of vocal and instrumental) dwell on important events, stages and people in Sivamani’s life. There were music directors A. R. Rahman and Sam Joseph, percussionist Vinayakram, ‘Mandolin’ Srinivas, filmmaker T. Rajendar and a whole lot of other well wishers at the launch. However, the function began on a solemn note. The absence of sound engineer Sridhar, who passed away in the early hours of the day, was deeply felt. There was an air of gloom around Rahman and Sivamani. On the latter’s request, a silent prayer was offered for Sridhar and the victims of the recent terror attacks in Mumbai (Sivamani was supposed to have given a performance on November 27 at The Oberoi, Mumbai). Soon, the hall at Green Park Hotel was booming with the beating of drums, as three groups of percussionists performed, one after the other. As the guests walked in, they were greeted with percussion sounds that are played at a traditional Hindu wedding. After the guests had settled down, chenda, percussion music from Kerala, played. Walking in a file, the percussionists were led by a man who played the kombu, an arched instrument made of brass, and capable of three timbres. Child percussionists performed in the minutes preceding and following the launch of ‘Mahaleela’ and KKVM Record, Sivamani’s label. ‘Mahaleela’, marketed and distributed by KKVM (standing for wife Krishani, son Kumaran, daughter Vashika and Mani), has been compiled with the help of Zakir Hussain, ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram, Louis Banks, Hariharan, Shankar Mahadevan, Leeladri Kumar, Naveen (flute), Harmeet (keyboards) and Steven Babloo. The singers include Hariharan, Shankar Mahadevan, Alma from Bosnia and Lomajin from Mongolia. The lyrics are in Tamil, Hindi, English and Sanskrit. The audio CD is available at leading music stores in the city.
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