Nellai Kannan on the art of playing the mridangam for dance -OxBig News Network

Celebrating a milestone: Nellai D Kannan
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

It was a path ordained for Nellai D Kannan. Son of Nellai P.S. Devaraja Iyer, a well-known mridangist and namasankirtanam bhagavathar in Tirunelveli, he grew in a house that resonated with the sounds of the percussion instrument. Sensing his interest, Kannan’s father began teaching him mridangam. Hearing the boy playing, their neighbour, Courtallam Viswanathan Iyer, also a mridangist, took him under his wings . This strong foundation paved the way for a long and successful journey. As Kannan completes 50 years as a mridangam artiste, he shares his experiences.

“I started playing mridangam for dance at the behest of Karaikudi Krishnamoorthy, a close family friend, who convinced my father that I would have greater opportunities as a dance accompanist,” says Kannan. The family then moved to Madras to help him pursue his interest. Kannan began accompanying Carnatic vocalists. His shift to the world of dance happened when he got a chance to play for renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Vyjayanthimala. Later, dancer-choreographer M.V. Narasimhachari trained him to understand the nuances of playing for dance. “I have been fortunate to have worked with the best in the field.”

Nellai Kannan during a lec-dem on ‘Mridangam playing for Bharatanatyam’.
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu Archives

He recalls with fondness his association with the Dhananjayans, who took him on his first foreign trip. “It was because of them that I got to work on legendary sitarist Pt. Ravi Shankar’s magnum opus ‘Ghanashyam’. This led to another fabulous opportunity — of being part of George Harrison’s (Beatles) album ’Brainwashed’. These musical outings have had a great impact on my journey. I remember once when I had gone for a visa interview, the officer in-charge noticed in my portfolio a photograph of mine with the Beatles star. When I said I had played with him, he quickly approved my visa.“

Understanding early on the importance of being a team player, Kannan says, “I realised how I should embellish and enhance the performance. I play the arudhis and kanakkus according to a dancer’s movements and footsteps.”

Kannan, who has been bestowed with several honours, also conducts lec-dems and composes dance pieces. “Today, when I look back, I feel mridangam has filled my life with rhythm.”  

Felicitation event

Jayanthi Subramanaim and Kala Darsana will celebrate Nellai D Kannan’s golden jubilee year as a mridangist on May 11 (4 p.m.) at R.R. Sabha (mini hall). Veteran dancer-scholar Nandini Ramani will be the chief guest and Vasanthalakshmi Narasimhachari (director, Kalasamarpana Foundation and trustee of RASOHAM) will be the guest of honour. They will felicitate the mridangist. On the occasion, students of Kala Darsana will present ‘Kapali Arupatthumoovar’.