sebastian and sons a brief history of mrdangam makers

Krishna follows them closely across generations to unravel deep secrets and bitter truths on the lives of the mridangam makers, as well as on oppression and discrimination faced by them. Sebastian and Sons is chiefly an account on the life of mridangam makers – most of whom are Dalit Christians. The piece in The Hindu captures the essence of the book – of the internal conflict of maestros like Palghat Mani Iyer in handling an instrument made with cow skin. He also adds that the institute came under Central government and thus could not allow any programme that may instigate ‘political, social and cultural disharmony.’ In the letter, Ramachandran says: “The book review which has appeared today in the Newspaper contains certain statements relating to the book which touch controversial issues and certainly have a lot of political overtones”.Īlso read: When Women Play the Ghatam: A Breakthrough in Music Practice Yet on January 30, Kalakshtra’s director Revathi Ramachandran sent a mail ‘withdrawing the permission to hold the book launch’ after an article on the book appeared in The Hindu. The launch event would have been preceded by a performance of several mridangam artists – a sort of musical offering to the makers of the mridangam. The official invitation said the book was going to be launched by Rajmohan Gandhi and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan. Krishna’s book, Sebastian and Sons: A Brief History of Mridangam Makers, at Kalakshetra in Chennai.

Chennai: February 2 would have been the launch date for singer and writer T.M.

Sebastian and sons a brief history of mrdangam makers