Dhvani will offer online mridangam classes starting in September for students of all ages and levels. Classes will be held once a week online. We will also have in-person classes during weekend camps two or three times a year. As always, our approach and pedagogy are holistic. We focus on helping students learn to enjoy music as they develop skills and understanding of laya. Our teachers will be Sriram Satagopan (Delaware, USA ) and Sai Shiv (Mysore, India). Contact Us for details.
- Weekly one-on-one lessons – online (over the internet) and occasional in-person (classroom) & offline (pre-recorded) sessions.
- Additional week-long/weekend in-person workshops with visiting teachers.
- Weekly assignments and feedback will be used to track progress and foster original thinking and creativity.
- Dhvani’s yearly calendar will be adhered to.
Opportunities and guidance for students to participate in competitions and performances and learn from visiting artists.
- Lateral entry will be permitted on a case-by-case basis after careful evaluation of students’ prior knowledge and capabilities.
- Emphasis on guided listening to concerts as a practical component of learning and appreciation for both students and parents.
Curriculum
Anticipated broad timeframes and representative curriculum:
- Years 1 & 2: Foundation – Introduction to “layam” (rhythm) concepts, strokes, phrases & mridangam terminologies; introductory lessons in 4 basic tAlas (rhythmic cycles)
- Years 3 & 4: Core – Comprehensive lessons in different TAlams (rhythmic cycles)
- Years 5 & 6: Advanced – Elaborate lessons incorporating multi-dimensional aspects of mridangam playing, accompaniment for melodic music, advanced aesthetics
The overall course curriculum will be based on fundamental rhythmic concepts that include components that are generic to the different styles or “schools” of mridangam and those that are unique to Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani sir’s bAni or style. The curriculum is designed to gradually introduce students to theoretical, technical, and application aspects of mridangam playing, culminating in a deeper understanding and appreciation for music at large, aesthetics of rhythmic integration with melodic music, and scope for creative improvisation and collaboration across different music genres. The structure of lessons has been personally designed by Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani, with an in-built scope to allow for changes to be made based on the nature of every student’s learning ability.
Throughout the learning process, students will be encouraged to attend concerts, guided to discern different aspects of performance, and discuss and assimilate practical aspects of mridangam playing. One way to accomplish this will be by having students and their families become Patrons or Benefactors of Dhvani and attend a minimum of six concerts a year. Students will also receive guidance for utilizing other opportunities to be a part of the greater Carnatic music community. The continuum of learning will also include opportunities at different points for students to showcase what they have learnt, interact with their peers and learn from other performing artists.
OUR TEACHERS
Sai Shiv
Sai Shiv is a Professional Mridangam artist and a Disciple of world-renowned Mridangam Maestro Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani. He is also an A-grade artist with All India Radio (Chennai), which he achieved in the shortest amount of time. He received the Best Mridangam Artiste of the Year 2015 from Sruthi Laya Kendra of the late Karaikudi R Mani. He was the first artist in Mysore to start an organization exclusively for promoting rhythmic ideas. He currently performs both as a solo percussionist and accompanying artist. He has been an accompanying many top artists and is a part of many percussion ensembles of his Guru. He is an independent composer with many albums in the fusion genre to his credit, which are available on streaming platforms. He has composed the background score for many movies, dramas, and documentaries.
Sriram Satagopan
Sriram Satagopan hails from a family of musicians and is fortunate to have learnt Mridangam from multiple gurus including Nanganallur Sri. Sriram. Sri. Vinod Seetharaman, Tiruvarur Sri. Vaidyanathan, Kutralam Sri. Viswanatha Iyer, Sri. Madhusoodhanan, Sri. Gandeeravan. His primary playing style is reflective of Guru Sri. Kaaraikkudi Mani sir’s bAni. Sriram has participated and won prizes in several music competitions and performances and has been part of music groups at IIT-Bombay, Lincoln, Nebraska, Columbus, Ohio, and the greater Philadelphia area, including the state of Delaware. He was recognized as the “Teacher of the year” in the year 2019, by Vindhya Cultural Association in Columbus, Ohio. He is actively engaged in providing basic Mridangam training to students and participating in workshops that are aimed at introducing Indian classical music to the North American audience. With a passion to promote Carnatic music and support performing musicians, Sriram currently volunteers for Sruti, The India Music and Dance Society (Philadelphia), as a Director of Resources and Development. He also provides accompaniment for music concerts and dance performances. Professionally, he holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is currently a Global R&D Scientist at FMC Corporation in Newark, Delaware.
