One remembers that pleasant evening in December 2000, when Indo-jazz fusion band Remember Shakti was playing at Mumbai’s now-defunct Rang Bhavan. British guitarist John McLaughlin, tabla wizard Zakir Hussain, the late mandolin maestro U. Srinivas and vocalist Shankar Mahadevan enthralled, with santoor monarch Shivkumar Sharma dazzling on a guest piece on raga Kirwani. V. Selvaganesh, kanjira exponent and son of former Shakti member T.H. ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram, despite being new to the line-up played a solo that went on endlessly and perfectly. Nobody knew whether it lasted around 15 or 20 minutes. But yes, he got a standing ovation.
Today, Chennai-based Selvaganesh, popularly known as Selva, is recognised as among India’s best percussionists. From Carnatic to fusion, world music to jazz, he’s taken his instrument to newer heights. His son Swaminathan, too has been groomed in the legacy. This evening, the father-son duo will do a unique set part of a series called Kanjourney – the tour of the kanjira, various percussion styles, Indian and global.
“My roots began with Shakti, where my father performed in the 1970s. He would play me those recordings, and I absorbed them. Of course it was my uncle Subash Chandran who taught me first, in terms of how to use Carnatic rhythm. My grandfather T. R. Harihara Sarma was keen I take up kanjira,” says Selvaganesh.
The kanjira is a form of frame drum, played with one hand, the other changing the grip, but played in Carnatic technique. "It follows mridangam grammar and syllabus. I wanted to take it to a level where people thought it was not just an accompanying instrument,” says the percussionist.
It took years, and an openness to innovation to change the mindset towards the kanjira. Eventually, Selvaganesh created what he calls a Hybrid Kit. Besides kanjira, his main drum, he uses other world percussion instruments. “The best thing is I don't use sticks. Everything is played with my hands,” he explains.
Role models
His father has been a huge influence. Says Selvaganesh, “I didn't directly learn technique from him. What he taught me was the art of live performance. Accompanying him on stage was like playing with a lion in a jungle. One just had to be sharp, and willing to learn.” McLaughlin and Hussain were huge inspirations too. He elaborates, “It’s an inexplicable relationship. They are like brothers, friends, mentors. John-ji would expose me to all kinds of jazz. Zakirbhai taught me about various world music forms. He would take me to his workshops and teach me about cultural exchanges.”
Selvaganesh admits that till 1991, his musical thinking was based only on Carnatic rhythmic patterns. Selvaganesh’s quest for experimentation thus began, “After a few meetings with Zakir Bhai, I started understanding the Hindustani patterns, the use of scales.” Four years ago, he formed a group called ARKA, a fusion band which released the album, And A Half , where every rhythm was played in half beats. “They are all talented musicians and we hope to take the concept forward,” he says. Today, Selvaganesh is focusing on the Kanjourney series. “It’s a continuous form of exploration,” he says adding that a jazz album and collaboration with international percussionists are on the cards.
V Selvaganesh and Swaminathan will perform at The Quarter, Royal Opera House this evening at 9 p.m; more details at insider.in
