Palghat Raghu's percussive artistry goes beyond mere rhythm control and performing capabilities, since it is underlined by laya aesthetics, observes SULOCHANA PATTABHIRAMAN.

 

Mridangam exponent, Palghat Raghu looks back on his long and fruitful journey, sharing his thoughts on many of the aspects that have touched him.

What I owe to my guru Sri Palghat Mani Iyer is something very sacred that mere words would never suffice to convey its depth.

Shubhashree Ramachandran .

Recipient of the Sangeetha Kalanidhi Award for 2007, Palaghat Raghu has six decades of experience as a mridanganist. When he was four, his parents found him using tin containers to produce rhythmic patterns. Raghu as a child displayed special interest in the tala.

 

V. SUBRAHMANIAM.

Ariyakkudi, GNB, Mali… Palghat Raghu has played for them all.

True, his playing technique has been that of his guru Palghat Mani Iyer but Palghat Raghu has given it his own stamp of individuality, with the classical dignity clearly standing out. His sophisticated rhythmic patterns emerge with absolute accura cy. Chosen by the Music Academy for Sangita Kalanidhi this year, Palghat Raghu looks back on the journey that began seven decades ago.