 Mridanga vidwan Madras Kannan
 It is not surprising that a man four score years old has perfect control over laya. Madras A. Kannan, the grand old man of the music world, is a shining polestar in the musical firmament.
He started his musical voyage at a tender age of six under the tutelage of eminent mridangam exponent Peethambara Desai and later on under Tanjore Ramadoss
Rao.
Kannan also learnt veena and vocal simultaneously. The Music muse bestowed her grace on him fully because he was able to grasp and reproduce the nuances with great felicity. He used to practice for long hours at home which made him participate in the Dasara music festival at Mysore. The erstwhile ruler, Krishna Rajendra Udayar eulogised him for his exemplary laya control.
Kannan's father Adhimoolam played a pivotal role in grooming him. In fact, he was instrumental in making Kannan shift to
mridangam.
A living legend, he has been participating in many programmes in AIR right from its inception. When Ragam, Tanam, Pallavi was introduced by renowned vidwan Mazhavaraya Nenthal Subbrama Bhagavathar (who also sang), Kannan accompanied him on the
mridangam.
He has many firsts to his credit. Kannan was the first musician to conduct a percussion ensemble which was recorded and released by Columbia Company.
He has accompanied the titans of the music fraternity. It is rather strange that Kannan has not accompanied women artistes so far. He has the greatest regard for M S Subbulakshmi whom he claims to be an icon of humanity.
 His Bhukailasa Vadya Sangamam is an ensemble of Western and Indian instruments. He has conceived the cosmic dance of Siva and Parvathi who are accompanied by Nandi and others in a musical form. AIR keeps broadcasting this programme very often, declares Kannan proudly.
He is widely travelled and has been decorated with a slew of awards. He is the recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy Award and Kalaimamani award. A devout person, his acumen was duly recognised by the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam and Srimat Andavan Ashram,
Srirangam.
Kannan opines that learning is a never-ending process and even at the ripe old age he wants to give some valuable inputs for posterity. Kannan declares that 'guru kadaksham' is important as it lifts one to the pinnacle of popularity; similarly, a student should hold his guru in great reverence.
Madras Kannan can be contacted at:
6, Ganapathy Mudali Street,
Royapettah,
Chennai - 14.
Phone: 28114646
Mira
mira60@rediff.com
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