Legendary mridangam maestro Guru Karaikudi Mani leads a stellar percussion ensemble in Bhoomija’s next! Widely regarded as one of the greatest mridangists of all time, Guru Karaikudi Mani will enthrall audiences in an evening of flawless rhythm, accompanied by an ensemble of Bangalore percussionists par excellence - Bangalore Amrith (Khanjira), Giridhar Udupa (Ghatam) and Pramath Kiran (Morsing). A musical must-see for all Carnatic connoisseurs! 

About the Artistes: 

Guru Karaikudi Mani  

Initiated into the world of Carnatic music at the tender age of 3, Guru Karaikudi Mani is, today, one of the cultural ambassadors of the country. A student of Carnatic Music greats Karaikudi Sri Rangu Iyengar, Sri T R Harihara Sharma and Sri K M Vaidyanathan, Guru Karaikudi Mani received his first national-level honours in 1963, at the age of 18, from then President of India Dr. Radhakrishnan, going on to win the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy award in 1998. Largely credited with bringing the mridangam to the global stage and shining a spotlight on it, Guru Karaikudi Mani’s contributions and innovations in mridangam playing lead to several national and international collaborations, as well as his very own Bani (style). Founder of the Sruthilaya percussion ensemble, Guru Karaikudi Mani also formed the Sruthi Laya Seva Trust, Sruthi Laya Kendra, and the Sruthi Laya Kendra Natarajaalaya - premier institutions devoted to music and musicians with branches around the world. 

Bangalore Amrit

Regarded as the ‘Brand Ambassador of Khanjira’, Bangalore Amrit Nataraj’s foray into classical music began at the young age of 5. The son of Virtuoso Violonist Vidwan sri Basavanagudi G Nataraj, Amrit studied the mridangam under Vidwan Sri M Vasudeva Rao and Vidwan Sri A V Anand, before going on to learn the Khanjira from the Khanjira Maestro himself, Vidwan Sri G Harishankar. The youngest Khanjira artiste to receive the All India Radio ‘A-Top Grade’, Amrit’s concerts are beloved by audiences for the speed, versatility, intricate patterns, grace and beauty of his Khanjira playing. Decorated with various titles for his music, such as ‘Khanjira Praveena’, ‘Yuva Kala Bhaarati’, ‘Lalithakala Suma’, and ‘Layaprathibhamani’, to name a few, Amrit also has collaborations with several renowned musicians to his credit, including working with Oscar winner A R Rahman.

Giridhar Udupa

A frequent feature in prestigious sabhas and concerts both national and international, Giridhar Udupa is synonymous with the ghatam! His journey started at the age of 4 under the tutelage of his father, Vidwan Ullur Nagendra Udupa, further blossoming under Vidhushi Sukkanya Ramgopal and Vidwan V Suresh. Three decades of path-breaking collaborations with artistes around the world, several successful concerts in over 50 countries (including being one of the few Indian musicians to perform at the United Nations), and many awards and titles for his contributions to music, Giridhar Udupa has become a much-loved name and a global icon for the ghatam and Carnatic Classical Music. He is also the founder and director of ‘The Udupa Foundation’.

Pramath Kiran

Hailing from a family of art connoisseurs, it was only natural that Pramath Kiran’s musical journey, as well as a career in classical music, started at a very young age. A student of tabla maestro Pt. Udayraj Karpur, Pramath Kiran was later trained by Vidwan Anoor Ananthakrishna Sharma in the art of playing the Morching. A career rich in collaborations with many world-renowned artistes, mastery over several world percussion instruments, tours across several countries, and various honours, Pramath Kiran’s musical signature lies in his flawless blending of traditional intricate playing styles and modern accompaniment techniques, and the incorporation of world music styles into Carnatic music. He is the founder of Layatharanga (among India’s leading world music bands), a member of Chakrafonics, and the Laya Digi music recording studio.