Intense Tani Avartanam | Dr. Trichy Sankaran, Giridhar Udupa, & Lalgudi siblings | Music of India

#darbarfestival | Two expert South Indian percussionists trade energetic rhythms as part of a tani avartanam - the extended percussion section in a kutcheri (Carnatic concert). Learn more about the music: Dr. Trichy Sankaran is a global ambassador for the mridangam, a double-headed South Indian drum. Crafted from the wood of the jackfruit tree, the instrument has a rich history. It is depicted in ancient temple carvings across Karnataka, and prototypes were used to accompany early Hindu religious ceremonies. Indian epics such as the Ramayana refer to it by name, describing the mridang-like sound of storm clouds. Few can play it like Dr. Sankaran - a classical master and prolific fusioneer who has devoted his life to furthering its cultural and technical reach. Born in Tamil Nadu, his early musical life followed a typical sequence - childhood training within the family, rigorous instruction from an esteemed guru, and burgeoning acclaim as a young accompanist. But at age 30 his path deviate