[Lt_Apple]

My solos are like rasgullas!

Having recently played at the opening of the children's film festival, percussionist Sivamani is all set to surprise his Hyderabadi fans tonight at the Times Hyderabad Festival 2011. Ask him about what Hyderabadis can expect from his jugalbandi with Niladri Kumar and Louiz Banks, and he says, "It's going to be a fun experience because I'm sharing the stage with phenomenal musicians. You have Niladri, who is like Jimi Hendrix, but with a zitar, then there is Louiz with his jazz elements and then there's me with my Chennai folk beats and an African set."

No matter how many times Sivamani is in the city, his enthralling solo performances manage to leave audiences spellbound. "My solos are like rasgullas. They are never programmed. I just go out there, see the vibe of the people and play what I feel like." Ask if he has any favorite performances in the city and he says, "I have been here so many times. I stayed here in the early '70s and it's a great place. I always drive by the places where I performed before and reminisce."

Talking about the latest musical rage "Kolaveri Di", Sivamani admits that he is a fan too. "It's a really good song with strong lyrics. It's something new and I really like it," says the musician, who is currently working on a Tamil feature film.

"I trained under KV Mahadevan and Ilairaja sir. Composing is not an easy job, I remember the first time with S P Balasubramanium. When he asked me, 'What is the sur?', I got very nervous. Today, the computer teaches us how to sing! But for my album and the film, I'm using the old school style of composing music with an orchestra and live musicians."

Sivamani reveals that Louiz Banks and him, along with fellow musician, Ravi Chary, recently formed a band called Sri Sharanam. Apart from jamming with the band, he is also working on a solo album, in which he has drawn inspiration from everything from a musician's performance to a visit to a spiritual place.