The pleasant notes of the nadaswaram enliven the spiritual ambience in Hindu temples and during auspicious occasions. Major shrines in South India open and close with a ritualistic nadaswaram recital. Friday Review caught up with young nadaswaram sibling artistes N.R. Kannan and N.R. Anand, popularly known as Nemmara Brothers, who have dedicated their lives to practising and perfecting music delivery through this tough wind instrument. Recipients of numerous titles and awards such as Nadaswaram Ilam Chakravarthi and Shanmukha Sangeetha Shiromani Award, the brothers were in the capital city for the inaugural concert of the 42nd Aaradhana Music Festival 2017, organised by Sree Neelakanta Sivan Sangeetha Sabha Trust.
The instrument is variously called Nadaswaram or Nagaswaram. What is the correct usage?
‘Naga’ in Tamil means serpent or snake. In earlier days, the instrument was seen as a symbol of the snake or ‘Nagachinnam’ and so the name ‘Nagaswaram’ became common.
The name ‘Nadaswaram’ is currently in vogue, representing the soothing music of the instrument.
Tell us about your musical journey?
We belong to a family of musicians. Our paternal grandfather Kunjappan Pillai was a well-known nadaswaram artiste.
Our father, K. Ramachandran, is a thavil artiste. Our father has played a significant role in grooming us and has sacrificed a lot for our professional growth. Until recently, he would accompany us for all our performances and guide us.
Kannan: I started training from our uncle – nadaswaram artiste Koduvayur Shaktivel.
My arangettam was at the Guruvayoor temple when I was eight years old.
I also did a three-year course in nadaswaram at the Guruyavoor-based Vadya Vidyalaya before turning a professional.
Anand: My brother is my guru.
Do you play any other musical instruments?
In addition to the nadaswaram, we are trained in saxophone, and have had performances featuring both. We have been trained on the thavil and flute, though we don’t play them at concerts.
The nadaswaram has a strong ritualistic temple tradition...
Many temples have kept the nadaswaram tradition alive by making it an essential component of major festivals.
To cite an example, for the Brahmotsavam festival at the Thiruvanthipuram temple in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, certain specific ragas are played during various stages of the deity’s procession.
The lesser-known ‘Kallu (stone) Nadaswaram’ is used for performances at the Chidambaram temple. The Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram also has a stone nadaswaram.
Sivaji Ganesan’s portrayal of a nadaswaram artist in the film Thillana Mohanambal emphasised the key role of this wind instrument...
The master actor has brilliantly epitomised a nadaswaram artiste in the film. From his mannerisms to facial expressions, everything typifies a nadaswaram artiste.
Over the years, interest is dwindling towards the nadaswaram. What is your take on it?
It is sad that many artistes these days are opting for the professional route even with as little as three years of practise. Many are unable to hold the instrument properly, resulting in poor performances. The declining interest for this art form stems from artistes who see this as a means to make quick money. Musicians must learn and work hard, practise regularly and thereafter come for performances. We hope that all dedicated artistes get their due and also get many opportunities to showcase their abilities.
Nadaswaram and Thavil?
What the mridangam is to vocal music, the thavil is to the nadaswaram.
