Latest news with #Mridanga
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
The mridangam's rhythm gets an electronic makeover
The North Axis Project has unveiled its latest track, 'Mridanga'. It is a percussion-driven, bass-infused composition that seamlessly blends Kerala's rich musical heritage with electronic sounds. 'The idea behind the track is to explore the sound of the mridangam, and reimagine it within the modern musical framework,' says Siddharth Bhayani, who spearheads the band. The inspiration, he shares, came during a visit to a South Indian temple, where he was left 'mesmerised by the intricate mridangam rhythm patterns, played during a ritual. It struck me how timeless those beats felt — like it could echo across centuries, and yet move people today,' recalls Siddharth. ''Mridanga' is not just a track, but a dialogue between tradition and innovation.' Traditionally, the mridangam is central to Carnatic music, is deeply expressive. 'We treated the mridangam not just as an instrument, but as a language, translating its vocabulary into new rhythmic structures that could live on a dancefloor or in a cinematic setting. We studied its phrasing, tonal range and rhythmic grammar. Then we broke it down into isolated strokes, unconventional time signatures, ghost notes — and rebuilt it using electronic production tools like granular synthesis, pitch modulation and spatial FX,' elaborates Siddharth. Siddharth's musical influences are rooted in Indian classical traditions and global subcultures. On the Indian side, legends such as A.R. Rahman, Sivamani and Karsh Kale have impacted his approache to fusion. 'They showed me that experimentation can be done without losing cultural depth.' His journey has also been 'shaped by the raw energy of rock, heavy metal and punk rock'. Bands such as Rage Against the Machine and Nirvana influenced his 'early understanding of musical rebellion'. 'That aggressive, no-rules attitude naturally transitioned into my sound design — especially in the North Axis Project,' says Siddharth. On the electronic side, artists such as Acid Pauli, Bonobo and artistes chosen by the Buddha Bar movement have influenced his music. Psytrance has also been a motivating factor. 'The fusion of all these sounds gives North Axis project its unique identity: rooted, rebellious and rhythmically alive,' he states. Siddharth is now working on a theatrical live act that brings together musicians, street performers and electronic elements. He is also working on a new track, inspired by the infectious energy of Nashik dhol tasha. 'There is a raw power in its rhythm, the kind that moves not just the feet, but also the spirit. I am working on weaving the dhol's sound into electronic textures, and in the process will take the energy of the streets to the dancefloors,' he adds. These works follow the trajectory of past North Axis releases such as 'Dhin Na'. They also build on conceptually rich tracks such as 'Haveli', 'Minar' and 'Aangan', whose sounds were inspired by architecture. 'These works explores the acoustic soul of Indian spaces, translating the resonance of courtyards, domes and facades into rhythm and atmosphere,' shares Siddharth, whose background in architecture helps him 'approach sound much like space'.
New Indian Express
01-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
How Tarakasura was Defeated
Soon after Skanda, the son of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati, was born, all the devas appointed him as the head of their army. Although Skanda was still a small child, it had been prophesied that he would defeat Tarakasura, the daitya who had triumphed over the devas and exiled them from heaven. The vanquished devas regained their hopes of victory. In joy, they sounded several musical instruments. Drums such as the Bheri, Pataha, Anaka, Dundubhi and Mridanga, as well as conch shells like the Gomukha, echoed throughout the land. The entire world reverberated with these sounds. The daitya army also arrived and played their war drums. Devrishi Narada, who could go anywhere, went to Taraka and said, 'O best among asuras, this son of Shiva has been born to kill you. After knowing this, try to save yourself.' Taraka replied, 'O great sage, Indra wishes to fight with me, keeping an infant at the head of the army. This is a foolish step and I shall kill him. Tell him so.' With preliminary talks concluded, the two armies began to fight fiercely against one another. The brave King Muchkunda of the Solar dynasty, who had attained heaven, first came to confront Taraka. Taraka struck Muchkunda with a javelin, and he fell unconscious. When he regained consciousness, Muchkunda prepared a Brahmastra, a divine weapon. Narada stopped him, saying, 'Taraka cannot be killed by a human. Do not use this divine weapon.' Just then, war drums were sounded, and Skanda advanced at the head of the ganas (Shiva's followers). Taraka assumed a form with ten thousand arms. He mounted a lion and began killing the ganas. On seeing this, Vishnu said, 'O Son of Shiva, you are born to kill Taraka. You must do it quickly.' Skanda replied, 'I am carefully observing the wonderful ways of fighting of noble warriors. I do not know who belongs to our army and who is an enemy. I do not even know why they are fighting and killing each other.' Narada then narrated the story of Taraka and how he had obtained a boon and defeated the devas. Upon hearing this, Skanda dismounted from his aerial chariot and started walking on foot. When Taraka saw him, he picked up a javelin and said, 'How and why has an infant been placed by the devas in front of me? They are all shameless and their king is Indra.' Skanda too picked up a javelin and began to fight furiously with Taraka. Skanda struck Taraka on the chest with his javelin. Taraka, in turn, hit Skanda and rendered him unconscious. After some time, Skanda regained consciousness and continued the fight. Thereafter, he severed Taraka's head with his javelin and rescued the devas.
