Vidwan Shri Nandakumar, an A grade artist of the All India Radio, hails from the family of the renowned Nadaswaram exponents, Ambalapuzha Brothers of Kerala. He underwent training in percussion under Shri Kaithavana Madhavdas in the Gurukulam tradition. The call of sruti and laya magnetized him as he was a child – and, to this day he has reveled in the art’s enchanting spell, sharing the happiness and joy he experiences with an ever widening circle of students and enthusiasts.

For over quarter of a century now, Shri Nandakumar has performed and conducted workshops on various platforms within the country and abroad. He has been on the faculty with all the leading fine arts sabhas in Mumbai – the Shanmukhananda, the Music Triangle, the Naadalaya and the Fine Arts Society. Shri Nandakumar has trained students in Mridangam, Thavil, Ganjira, Moorsing and in Konnakkol. Most of his senior students are graded artists with the All India Radio and participate in regular concerts. It is rare to find some one who’s not only knowledgeable but also exudes excellence in playing seven streams of percussion.

Awards and accolades Shri Nandakumar earned have been many. He was awarded the titles of Guru Shikhamani, Sruti Laya Sudhakara and Swar Sadhana Ratna by Institutions he has been associated with. Fairly recently, he was the recipient of Life Time Achievement Award in Chennai for his contributions to the field of classical music. Sri Venkateswara Temple of Pittsburgh, USA, invited him to train budding artists in their summer school for two consecutive years.

Shri Nandakumar established TSN’s Percussive Arts Centre was , not long ago, to impart specialized training to students in percussion instruments and in konnakkol. Students of the Centre who are settled abroad are keen on carrying the TSN flag to where they are to be able to popularize the art of percussion.

Shri Nandakumar has many albums to his credit. Of special mention here would be three volumes titled “Jewels of Rhythm” with his young students in the age group of just eight to thirteen.  These albums have turned "prized possessions" for all aspirants, young and old, learning the arts of percussion.

Performances

INDIA

• Siri Fort Auditorium, Delhi (in the presence of ex PM of India, Shri Deve Gowda)

• Music Academy, Chennai

• Naradana Gana Sabha, Chennai

• Rani Seethai Hall, Chennai

• Shanmukhananda Fine Arts & Sangeetha Sabha, Sion,  Mumbai

• The Fine Arts Society, Chembur,  Mumbai

• Bharathiya Vidya Bhawan, Bangalore and Mumbai

• Spic McKay, Indore

• Sur Singar, Mumbai

• Raghavendra Madham, Manthraalaya

• Chembai Sangeetha Mahothsavam, Guruvayoor

• All India Radio and Doordarshan

• Music Triangle, Mumbai

• Gala Kala Nilayam, Mumbai

• Naadabrahmam, Mumbai

• Naadaanjali, Mumbai

• Swar Sadhana Samithi, Mumbai

• National Centre for Performing Arts, Mumbai

ABROAD

• Lincoln Centre, NY

• Lamar University, Houston

• Indiana University, Indiana

• Sri Venkateswara Temple, Pittsburgh

• Cleaveland, Ohio

• Washington DC

• Zurich, Switzerland

• Germany

Honours & Felicitations

• Padam, Mumbai

• Music Triangle, Mumbai

• Naadalaya, Mumbai

• Shanmukhananda Fine Arts & Sangeetha Sabha, Mumbai

• Swara Sadhana Samithi, Mumbai

• Mudra, Chennai

• TVG Academy, Chennai

Titles

• SwaraSadhana Ratna

• Gurushikhamani

• Sruthilaya Sudhakara

Life Time Achievement Award

• Shanti Foundation, Chennai

This page was last updated on 11th March, 2011