Reading, Writing, and Reflecting

I recently attended a local Indian dance program  and really enjoyed the live music, mostly from musicians who had flown to California from India.     Along with the violinst, I particularly enjoyed the tabla player.    Being a very amateur (and I mean amateur) photographer, I took some video of the performance.    Here is some brief video I call Hands of a Tabla Player.

Now, thinking about the tabla and the drums in general, always leads me to think about Sivamani, the brilliant Indian drummer who has often toured as part of AR Rahman’s troupe and is universally known on his own.   I’ve been lucky enough to meet him and my wife’s family has known him for years.    Two examples of his genius follow:

First, he takes household items including spoons, bowls and a water jug and makes complling music.

Next, more of a traditional piece from Sivamani…around the 1:00 mark he starts with the solo drumming.

There’s much more of Sivamani on Youtube, simply search for Sivamani.  Incredible musician, who has the ability to make fantastic music from a variety of  items as well as all kinds drums.