“They work so hard. I just wanted to make them happy,” said ace Indian drummer Anandan Sivamani immediately after his impromptu performance. The stage? A hotel kitchen. The audience? A brigade of chefs. The musical instruments? Metal spoons and upturned bowls. For the Padma Shri awardee, a high-octane concert can erupt anywhere. At the Magnetic Music Season 5 in Bengaluru, Sivamani held four concerts — and only one of them was on stage. The rest were pure improvisations by the maestro. Pounding rhythms on a chafing dish, clinking a spoon against a light, and a joyous dhol jam in a kitchen.
Ace Indian Percussionist Sivamani Performs At Magnetic Music S5
The Leela Palace Bengaluru presented the fifth edition of Magnetic Music in December. The five-evening series at ZLB23 featured compelling global artists — Sivamani, Trilok Gurtu, Norway-based Dafnie, JISR featuring Karthik Mani, and Afro Fusion — in an intimate, curated setting.
I, Sanjana Shenoy, the Chief Sub-Editor of Curly Tales (and an ardent fan), attended the second day of Magnetic Music S5 for an evocative evening with percussion virtuoso Sivamani. The 66-year-old maestro with a Sadhu-like demeanour and a childlike twinkle in his eyes, presented the Shiva-Vishnu Project — a musical collaboration with the award-winning Carnatic and jazz composer-performer Vishnu R.
The evening unfolded as a melodious journey, beginning with the deeply spiritual percussionist, invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesha through a rock-rendition of Maha Ganapathim. This was followed by nostalgic chartbusters like Kishore Kumar’s Neele Neele Ambar Par, and his go-to collaborator A.R. Rahman’s Chhoti Si Aasha (Roja), all reimagined with a blues and jazz spin.)
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There was even an unexpected Jingle Bells thrown in, much to the delight of an audience that seemed ready for anything—even Sivamani leaping offstage for an energetic solo using an empty water can.
Sivamani Talks To Curly Tales
After the three impromptu concerts and before the stupendous musical evening, Sivamani got chatting with me about how Lord Shiva plays through him, meeting Nelson Mandela, Chaiyya Chaiyya, A.R. Rahman’s studio rules, an Indian hill station on his wishlist, best advice by the late S.P Balasubrahmanyam, and more…
1) What do you look forward to during your performances?
Frankly, whenever I perform before an audience, whether small or large, I am not the one playing. My Guru, Lord Shiva, is playing through me. That’s all I wish for, that he will come and play, and bring joy to my audience.
When I embark on stage, it’s like meditation. Every concert of mine is different. I just start the pulse, and I myself don’t know where I’ll end. Right now, I’m enjoying my time at The Leela Palace Bengaluru… the greenery, the beautiful ambience— it’s my favourite place.
2) You’ve created music for some of the most iconic songs in India. We would love to know some anecdotes behind these compositions and collaborations.
While working on Chaiyya Chaiyya (Dil Se), I remember A.R. (Rahman) was in London, giving us ideas on FaceTime. And we recorded our parts; that’s how things happened.
For Nadaan Parindey (Rockstar), when A.R. entered the studio, he noticed the mic wasn’t set up properly. That totally disturbed him. I told him to hold on and reassured him that we would set things right. Later, he told me, “Siva, take a solo opening.”
That’s how I performed the rock-style opening.
With A.R. and me, it’s always teamwork. We record the grooves he creates, then edit and change the sound. For the title track of Taal, we created magic. I used vessels to create new kinds of sounds.
In fact, he called me last night from Boston. He told me, “Siva, we have to do something new.”
And I have been brainstorming as we are performing in Delhi for a Sufi concert this month.
3) You transform everyday objects into sources of music. How did you develop an ear for this?
In the nine months I spent in my mom’s womb, her heartbeat was the first drumbeat for me. Later, when I came into this world, I realised my father, S. M. Anandan, is a musician. My music, drums.. God has fixed this for me.
I grew up in Basin Bridge in Chennai, near a large cemetery and a railway line. Whenever I walked to or from school, I would notice funeral processions pass by with percussion being played. I would stop and watch the drummers. Those rhythms deeply fascinated me.
And because I stayed near a railway line, I would also hear the sounds of passing trains and pay attention to their rhythms.
4) In an interview, you had quoted, “If you want to be a good musician, take off ego and throw it in the dustbin.” Why do you feel this is necessary?
This is what my Guru, Lord Shiva, has taught me.
Be kind. Don’t have ego. Every person has a talent. So, you shouldn’t be insecure. Whatever you know, just do it.
Moreover, credit should go to my parents. When I was honoured with the state award— Kalaimamani— I requested Kalaignar Karunanidhi Sir to give the award to my mother, Lakshmi Anandan. Even while receiving the Padma Shri, I wanted my mother by my side. Without my parents, I am nothing.
5) You’ve performed for iconic personalities. Which concerts stand out as the most memorable for you—both as a performer and as an audience member?
In 1998, I was invited to South Africa for the opening of the Robben Island Museum— a former prison complex where Nelson Mandela was once imprisoned. American record producer Quincy Jones organised a music event and asked me to perform on the opening day. After the concert, we were bidding goodbye to dignitaries who were leaving on their helicopters.
Suddenly, Nelson Mandela walked towards me and said, “I felt something when you played. Keep it up!”
Then, he blessed me. That was a big moment for me!
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The second moment would be performing for the late President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Sir at Rashtrapati Bhavan. I remember he got up from his seat and walked towards the stage when I was playing. He played the drums along with me. Also, performing with the late Zakir Hussein Sir was another moment I deeply cherish.
When it comes to attending concerts, I recently enjoyed live performances by Bulgarian singers in Frankfurt. I even gifted a CD to A.R. Rahman. There’s lots of talent in India and the world. Take Lydian Nadhaswaram, who can play two different melodies on two pianos at the same time.
Also Read: From Meeting Guru Kapil Sharma To Starring On KBC, Harsh Gujral Reveals Life’s Unreal Moments
Rapid Fire With Sivamani
1. A song you are listening to on loop right now.
Humma Humma (Croons)
2. A pre-stage ritual you follow.
I pray to Lord Shiva. Har Har Mahadev!
3. A Bollywood song or music album that impressed you
I like Shankar Mahadevan’s Maa (Taare Zameen Par).
4. Your favourite comfort food
Soup with Jasmine Rice. It pairs beautifully!
5. Your favourite travel destination
India is the best. We have everything.
Within India, I want to visit Darjeeling. I haven’t been there yet.
6. How did you celebrate your Padma Shri win in 2019?
I was performing in a concert in Ahmedabad. My son called to inform me about my Padma Shri win. Later, I rang up my Guru, S.P. Balasubrahmanyam Sir, A.R. Rahman and Ilayaraja Sir. It was a very happy moment.
7. What comes to your mind when I say-
-A.R. Rahman
Genius.
-S.P. Balasubrahmanyam
God.
-Zakir Hussein
Big Brother.
-Michael Jackson
Another Genius.
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8. What’s a valuable piece of advice imparted to you by-
Your Guru, S.P. Balasubrahmanyam
Don’t hold grudges against anyone. Forgive and forget.
A.R. Rahman
He instilled discipline in me.
A.R. Rahman often works late into the night. He rings up musicians like me at two or even three in the morning. At those hours, if any of us had consumed alcohol, he would not allow us into his studio, touch the instruments, or create music. He is deeply spiritual.
I learnt a lot from A.R. So, I am always ready to attend his call and create music with him anytime.
9. Advice you have for aspiring Indian musicians
You have to find an Ustaad and do riyaaz.
Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied
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