Trichy Sankaran (mridangam) is a virtuoso percussionist whose mastery on this important South Indian percussion instrument is respected throughout the world. His first musical training was under his cousin Sri P.A. Venkataraman, and he later became a disciple of the late Sri Palani Subramania Pillai.
He made his public debut at the age of thirteen. Mr. Sankaran has performed widely throughout Asia, Europe and North America. In addition to playing mrdangam in traditional South Indian music settings, he has also performed with jazz, world music and other contemporary music ensembles.
He is currently Professor of Indian Music Studies at York University, Toronto, and his teaching techniques have been filmed and documented by the C.B.C. His writings include a text book on mrdangam performance and rhythmic theory.
Discography:
Suitable for framing,with David Rosenboom and J. B. Floyd (ARC Records, 1975)
Laya Vinyas – Mrdangam Solo (Music of the World, 1990)
Sunada,with Karaikudi Subramaniam (Music of the World, 1993)
Whirled,with Oliver Schroer (Big Dog Music, 1993)
Oliver Schroer and the Stewed Tomatoes,with Oliver Schroer (Big Dog Music, 1996)
Lotus Signatures,with Dr. N. Ramani (Music of the World, 1997)
Ivory Ganesh Meets Doctor Drums,with Paul Plimley (Songlines, 1998)
Catch 21: Trichy’s Trio,with Suba Sankaran and Ernie Tollar (Deep Down Productions, 1999)
Innovative Music Meeting,with Rajesh Mehta and Rohan De Saram (True Muze Records, 1999)
The Carnatic Violin,with Prof. T. N. Krishnan (Kriyative World Music, 2001)
Kutcheri: Live at Kalakshetra,with Sanjay Subramanyan (Charsur Digital, 2001)
Mukhari,with Chitraveena Ravikiran (Rajalakshmi Audio, 2002)
Maza Mezé: Secrets Moon Magic,with John Wyre and Suba Sankaran (CBC, 2004)
Gajaleela – Mridangam and Kanjira Solo (Charsur Digital, 2005)
Kutcheri: Live in Chennai,with Lalgudi G. J. R. Krishnan and Lalgudi Vijaylakshmi (Charsur Digital, 2007)
Live at Music Academy Madras,with Malladi Brothers (Rajalakshmi Audio, 2007)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
