CHENNAI: Critically acclaimed director Rajiv Menon, known for box office hit films like Minsara Kanavu (1997) and Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000), in association with Prakriti Foundation presented a documentary on mridangam exponent Umayalpuram K Sivaraman at Amethyst Cafe, Royapettah on Tuesday.
Titled Over Tone, the documentary (written and directed by Rajiv), aims to capture the 60-year music career of the carnatic vidwan apart from detailing his personal life. Speaking to City Express, the ace director said he had always been interested in carnatic music.
“My mother used to identify raagas of film songs. I have been attending carnatic recitals for three decades now,” said Rajeev. The 80-year-old Sivaraman, the only percussionist to have bagged all three Padma awards, is still very much an integral part of the carnatic music scene. and continues to perform on stage.
The story of Sivakumar is not your typical rags-to-riches story. Sivakumar’s father was a doctor. The percussionist himself studied BA BL before going on to get a post-graduation. The decision to drop academics in favour of playing the mridangam was completely his. But at the same time he has not forced his children to pursue the art form that has served him so well.
“His unbridled hunger and passion to play the instrument is fascinating. He has worked with at least three generations of top artists, but rather than resting on past laurels, he looks towards the future. It’s an honour to be able to make this documentary when he is on top of his game,” explains Menon.
Over the years, many of Rajiv’s friends and other vidwans of carnatic music have been coercing him to capture Sivaraman’s life on celluloid. And he has finally managed to do it.
According to Rajiv Menon, “I wanted this documentary to be more than informative. I didn’t want it to flow like a brochure. Making the documentary visually appealing was the challenge. At the same time the audience should get a sense of what this carnatic giant is all about. That’s what kept me from making it till now.”
Playing the mridangam requires a considerable amount of physical effort and stamina. Carnatic percussionists often complain of injuries they endure during the course of their long careers. But not Umayalpuram, says Rajiv Menon.
“His technique of playing the mridangam looks so easy and effortless. Sometimes you see other artists struggle with the instrument, but Sivaraman, with his straight back, plays it in such an uncomplicated way,” he adds.
“Moreover, he has a good rapport with vocalists. If the wrong beats are played, it puts off vocalists and their breathing might get affected. But Sivaraman has a good understanding of lyrics and also swaras.”
Though capable of enthralling audiences while on the carnatic stage, Sivaraman is just not wired to perform in an orchestra according to Menon. “Listening to his pieces every single time is a different experience. Innovation is the corner stone of all of his performances.”Apart from dwelling on Sivaraman’s musical journey and personal life, the documentary, Over Tone, dedicates an entire section to explain how the instrument is made and its evolution through decades.