Sri Lanka-born percussionist looks to carve out a niche in the music scene in Tamil Nadu

Thirty-eight-year-old Srikanth is conflicted about his roots — whether they are in Sri Lanka, where his great grandfather migrated to three generations ago, or in Tiruchi, where his family settled as refugees after a civil war broke out in the island nation.

While music has given him a sense of belonging, this thavil player, known for his virtuosity, has played more concerts in the neighbouring States of Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh than in Tamil Nadu.

“In those States, the organisers are ready to pay whatever I demand and enjoy my performance. But in Tamil Nadu, I do very few concerts. I don’t know why I am not invited,” says Srikanth, whose father V. Selvaraja was a nagaswaram player.

Those who have watched his performances, both in-person and on YouTube, vouch for his talent as a percussionist. He effortlessly achieves perfect synchronisation between valanthalai (the right side of the instrument) and thoppi (its left side), and during solo performances, he would enthral the audience by producing beats akin to the sound of drums.

Natural talent

“I have been watching him since childhood. Playing t havil comes naturally to him. He is adept at it even while playing it at break-neck speed. He can match the talent of any great player of thavil today,” avers nagaswaram player Injikudi E.M. Subramaniam.

Srikanth had a flair for thavil as a child and used to accompany his father whenever the thavil player of Kappithalathai Pillaiyar temple in Sri Lanka was absent. “My father once asked me what I wanted to pursue — education or thavil. I decided to pursue the instrument close to my heart without any hesitation,” recalls Srikanth, whose four siblings are also following the family tradition of playing the nagaswaram and thavil .

His family moved to Tamil Nadu when he was ten years old. “We first had plans to settle in Kadambur, my native village near Madurai. But there were hardly any relatives there. So, we chose Tiruchi,” he says.

While his brother Ganesan learnt nagaswaram from Kovilthirumagalam Somaskandan Pillai, who taught at the Palani music school, Srikanth came under the tutelage of Thiruppankur Muthukumaraswami, one of the most sought-after thavil players.

“I learnt from him for eight months and started playing on my own. I further leant from the late Thirukarukavur Sivagurunathan and his father,” says Srikanth, who was part of the troupe of clarinet maestro A.K.C. Natarajan for some months.

A senior vidwan says the music world has seen healthy competition with the likes of great maestros such as Needamangalam Meenakshisundaram Pillai, Malaikottai Panchami, Thirumullaivoyil Muthuveeru Pillai, Kumbakonam Thangavel Pillai and Natchiyarkoil Raghava Pillai. “Srikanth also needs the encouragement he deserves in Tamil Nadu, and the best way to challenge him is to engage him in concerts,” he says.