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Rhythm and more

Ace percussionist Sivamani will soon cut an album with tabla maestro Zakir Hussain

PHOTO: K. MURALI

SIVA SPEAKS Sivamani says stage performances give him the ultimate excitement

Always tuned to the right beat, percussionist, A. Sivamani was in Delhi recently on the sets of Galli Galli Sim Sim, an upcoming fun-laced educational series on Pogo and Cartoon Network. Meant for kids between two and eight, the series is modelled on Sesame Street, the popular series for preschoolers produced by Sesame Workshop in association with Turner Broadcasting.

Here the twist in the tale is, Sivamani was invited by Aanchoo, Boombah, Chamki and Googly, the Muppet residents of Galli Galli Sim Sim at Jugaadu Ka Karkhana. Sivamani jams with Googly using plastic cans for drums amidst the junk in the factory.

Ask him how he controls plastic cans, and Sivamani says it's all about rhythm.

"Once you have got the rhythm, everything follows. I used spoons recently in Chennai and once when I was told to play impromptu I used the utensils from the hotel's kitchen," smiles the Chennai resident.

Playing Daddy... mummy... daddy... mummy, something his father, S.M. Anandan, taught him as a kid, Sivamani says, "He loves to play for children. It reminded me of my childhood when my parents used to tell me to study I kept on experimenting with different things. Once they realised that I have got the rhythm and dedication they allowed me to follow my passion. But whoever wants to pursue music should realise that music is a huge ocean, everyday you learn and a lifetime is not enough to achieve perfection. And practice is like food, you need it everyday." With no formal training, Sivamani says he learns from nature.

"It's all about observation and application. You can learn from concerts, you can learn from the way rain drops on rooftops. At times even traffic has music to it."

Percussion, particularly drumming, is not perceived as a pure classical form. Sivamani, having played with all the musical stalwarts including Iliyaraja and A.R. Rahman, agrees but says people like Zakir Hussain have been able to bring it to the centrestage.

"I was playing in the background in films for decades when Zakir bhai gave me an opportunity. Now drumming is a part of world music and with youngsters getting attracted to fusion, it's the best way to take classical music to the new generation."

He continues to play in movies with the latest being Rang De Basanti.

"I have played in so many films that I forget the names but it's the stage performance that keeps me excited. Now I am looking forward to my album with Zakir Bhai," he says.

ANUJ KUMAR

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