Percussionist Rohan Krishnamurthy Visits Sonic Construction of Identity Class
Posted by karah.kemmerly
Dr. Rohan Krishnamurthy, an internationally acclaimed Carnatic percussionist, made a much-anticipated return to Dr. Ravi Kittappa’s Sonic Construction of Identity class, bringing with him a wealth of musical knowledge, cultural insights, and personal reflections. Supported by HARTS, this visit built upon his previous engagement with the class last year, offering students another opportunity to engage deeply with the traditions, innovations, and identity formations within South Indian classical music.
Dr. Krishnamurthy’s visit came on the heels of his recent tour in Chennai, India, where he performed as part of the world-renowned Chennai Music Season, an annual festival that gathers the finest musicians in the Carnatic tradition. As a highly respected mridangam artist, composer, and scholar, his perspective provided a unique window into the evolving global landscape of Carnatic music. His visit sparked thought-provoking discussions on the intersections of tradition, modernity, and identity in the performance and transmission of classical music.
Throughout the session, Dr. Krishnamurthy engaged with students in an open and dynamic exchange. Their questions spanned a range of topics, from the technical nuances of mridangam playing to broader considerations of how Carnatic music functions in diasporic and contemporary settings. He responded in detail, often drawing from personal experiences and offering insights into the ways in which rhythm, improvisation, and pedagogy shape both his practice and his understanding of identity.
A highlight of his discussion was his tribute to his guru, the legendary mridangam maestro Guruvayur Dorai, who was recently honored with the prestigious Padma Shri award—one of India’s highest civilian honors. Dr. Krishnamurthy spoke at length about Guruvayur Dorai’s immense contributions to the field of Carnatic percussion, his impact on generations of musicians, and the deep influence he has had on his own artistic and academic journey. He reflected on the rigorous yet profoundly enriching guru-shishya (teacher-disciple) tradition, emphasizing the importance of oral transmission, embodied learning, and the lifelong process of musical refinement.
Beyond the technical and historical aspects of Carnatic music, Dr. Krishnamurthy also touched upon his own interdisciplinary work, which bridges performance, ethnomusicology, and music technology. His ability to move fluidly between tradition and innovation resonated with the themes of Dr. Kittappa’s class, which explores sound as a means of constructing and negotiating identity. Students were particularly intrigued by his thoughts on the ways in which Carnatic percussion continues to evolve in response to changing social, cultural, and technological contexts.
As the session came to a close, it was evident that Dr. Krishnamurthy’s visit had left a lasting impact on the students. His ability to articulate the complexities of identity through rhythm and sound provided an invaluable perspective on the fluidity of musical traditions and the ongoing dialogue between past and present. His return to the class underscored the importance of sustained engagement with artists and scholars whose work challenges and enriches conventional understandings of music and identity.
Dr. Kittappa and his students expressed their gratitude for Dr. Krishnamurthy’s generosity in sharing his time, experiences, and deep passion for music. His visit was a reminder of the profound ways in which sound constructs, reflects, and transforms identity—both for those who create it and for those who listen.