The Monash Asia Institute is pleased to announce a special lunchtime lecture:
Wednesday 29 October 2008, 1:00pm to 2:30pm Monash Science Centre, Building 74, Monash University, Clayton (off Normanby Road)(Melways ref: 70 G9)
KARAIKUDI R MANI Eminent Indian percussion maestro
Mani will speak about his love for the mridangam and how he chose this instrument. His personal story and involvement in Indian classical music presents a rare insight into the life of an artist in contemporary India.
Mani is accompanied by Rajsewari Sainath, who will explain some of the musical principles in dance form.
Karaikudi R Mani is India's top ranking player of the mridangam. Trained by eminent teachers, Manis unique playing style is marked by great virtuosity and pleasing sound quality. He has been described as "a mridangist who beautifully blends sound, scholarship, sense and silence". His distinctive contributions to the development of the art of percussion includes innovations such as "Sruthi Laya", novel percussion ensembles, "Melodyssey", musical orchestration of cultures of 40 artists of South Indian, North Indian and Western instruments along with voices as well as "Tala Vichitra" (Rhythmic peculiarities) consisting of the blending of unique percussion ensemble of young artists into various contemporary styles of South Indian Percussive art form. Mani founded the institution Sruthi Laya Seva Trust in Madras and Mysore (India), Melbourne and London. He has shunned many awards, titles and honours, instead focussing on developing his art with greater devotion.
Enquiries: Monash-Asia-Institute Enquiries MAI.Enquiries@adm.monash.edu.au Brown bag seminar - Orange juice and water will be served.
