An Insight into Classical Indian Rhythm, Music, and Pedagogy, by Akshay Anantapadmanabhan

This talk will cover an overview of Carnatic (South Indian classical) music and briefly touch on overlaps between North and South Indian classical music. The talk will interactively focus on 'Konnakol' (vocal percussion solfege) and how it works as a language for Indian rhythm. We will also discuss Indian classical pedagogy, compositions in Carnatic rhythmic from, talaa as well as a brief intro to raaga with listening sessions. 

Akshay Anantapadmanabhan is a reputed Indian-American percussionist and composer known for his sensitivity, tonality and energetic style of playing. As a child, Akshay began learning the mridangam in Mumbai, but ironically, his true passion for Carnatic music sparked only after his family moved to the United States. After completing his masters in engineering in The Cooper Union, in New York City, Akshay moved to Chennai, India to pursue music full-time. He has accompanied and toured with the leading artists in the Carnatic music field throughout North America, Europe and Asia. He has also given solo as well as collaborative performances with Hindustani, Latin jazz, American jazz and rock musicians in unique showcases of South Indian percussion. His latest solo works have been exploring Indian rhythms in an avant-garde approach, brining together digital loopers and visual graphics. ‘Re-imagining Indian Rhythms’ aims to explore the boundaries of the Indian rhythms and its possibilities. Akshay is also a core member of Indian Classical fusion bands ‘The Thayir Sadam Project' and 'Carnatic 2.0 Reloaded.' Akshay has also published several academic papers on the mridangam and Indian rhythms in international music technology journals. He is also an educator of Carnatic percussion, teaching both classical and multi-genre musicians.