Awards
Performances
Albums & Books
Contributions

Dr.Umayalpuram K.Sivaraman

MRUDANGAM MAESTRO
Umayalpuram Sivaraman Gurus
1935

Born on 17 December to Dr. Kasi Viswanatha Iyer – a medical doctor – and to Kamalambal

1938

Initiated at a tender age into the art of Kanjeera

1940

Inducted formally into Gurukulavasam to learn mrudangam; learnt from luminaries such as Arupathi Natesa Iyer, Tanjore Vaidyanatha Iyer, Palghat Mani Iyer and Kumbakonam (Sakottai) Rangu Iyengar

1945

Had his arangetram at the Kalahasteeswaraswami temple in Kumbakonam

1955

Spent 15 years in tutelage; a period of intensive training and dedicated homework

1955 – 1965

A halcyon period of performing alongside illustrious legends of 50’s and 60’s

See More
1963

Went on his first coast-to-coast tour of USA

1967

Release of album: Drums of North and South India

1977

Introduced fibre glass mrudangam to the carnatic music world

1977

Bestowed Kalaimamani award by the Government of Tamil Nadu

1982

Performed in the Tala Vadya Kutcheri at the Festival of India in UK

1985

Performed in the Tala Vadya Kutcheri at the Festival of India in New York and Washington DC, USA

1988

Bestowed Padma Shri by the Government of India

1992

Bestowed Sangeet Natak Akademi Award

Umayalpuram Sivaraman Childhood
Indian Mridangam Vidwan Umayalpuram Sivaraman
1996

Honoured by His Excellency Shri K. R. Narayanan, former President of India at a public function in Chennai on the completion of 50 years of service to Carnatic Music

2001

Bestowed Sangita Kalanidhi by The Music Academy, Madras

2003

Bestowed Padma Bhushan by the Government of India

2010

Bestowed Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India

2012

Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, New Delhi (Akademi Ratna)

 2016

Created the Glass Mrudangam, made of glass in collaboration with M/s Saint Gobain

2019

Awarded D. Litt from the Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Music and Fine Arts University

Awards

1977

Kalaimamani
Govt. of Tamil Nadu

1981-1986

STATE ARTISTE
Govt. of Tamil Nadu

1984

SANGEETHA
KALASIKHAMANI
The Indian Fine Arts Society

1986

Sangeetha
Choodamani
Krishna Gana Sabha

1988

PADMA SHRI
Govt. of India

1992

SANGEET NATAK
AKADEMI AWARD
Sangeet Natak Akademi

1998

NATIONAL
CITIZEN AWARD

2001

SANGEETHA
KALANIDHI
The Music Academy,
Madras

2003

Padma Bhushan
Govt. of India

2007

SWATHI
PURASKAR

2010

PADMA
VIBHUSHAN
Govt. of India

2010

D. LITT.
(DOCTORATE)
University Of Kerala

2011 & 12

SANGEET NATAK
AKADEMI FELLOWSHIP
Sangeet Natak Akademi

2018

ISAI PERARIGNAR
Tamil Isai Sangam ,
chennai

2019

D. LITT.
(DOCTORATE)
Dr. J Jayalalithaa Music &
Fine Arts University

Memorable PERFORMANCES ACROSS THE GLOBE !

  • He had the unique honour of playing Tala Vadya Kutcheris in the Annual Film Fare festival in 1973 and 1975.
  • He participated in the Tala Vadya Utsav’ at New Delhi in 1985 and played a jugalbandhi.
  • He played mrudangam in a special programme known as ‘Mrudangam Drum Set Jugalbandhi’ in Max Muller Bhavan, Madras, along with two leading drummers from West Germany.
  • He was invited to play mrudangam in the popular and successful Tamil movie ‘Mrudanga Chakravarthy’.
  • He has gone abroad several times on concert tours and special programmes covering USSR, USA, Canada, UK, France, West Germany, East Germany, Poland, Malaysia. Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Bangkok, Sri Lanka, Muscat, Bahrain, Australia, etc.
  • In his visit. to the UK, he participated in the Tala Vadya Kutcheri for the Festival of India, 1982 and again, for the same festival in New York and Washington D.C., U.S.A. in 1985.
  • He has also been invited to perform jazz concerts in France and Belgium.

ALBUMS

The Music Of India The Music of India | 1965

 
Drums Of North And South India Drums of North & South India | 1967

 
Garland Of Rhythm By Umayalpuram Sivaraman Garland of Rhythm | 1980

 
Garland Of Rhythm Carnatic Classical Instrumental Music Garland of Rhythm | 1996

 
Rhythm Fantasies By Umayalpuram Sivaraman Rhythm Fantasies | 2004

 
Laya Dhara A Cascade Of Rhythm

Laya - Dhara | 2006


 
Mridanga Cintamanih Umayalpuram Sivaraman

Mridanga Cintamanih – Level 4


 

BOOKS

Music Excellence Of Mridangam
Musical Excellence of Mridangam

1 January 2018

by Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman (Author),
Thirumalachari Ramasami (Author),
Mandayam Devasikamani Naresh (Author)

Buy Music Excellence Of Mridangam


 

CONTRIBUTIONS & RESEARCH WORK

Umayalpuram Sivaraman Mridangam Vidwan
Glass Mridangam Umayalpuram Sivaraman
Fibreglass Mrudangam
The musical world has witnessed numerous innovations which have only enriched it. The fibreglass mrudangam is the latest in such a long line of innovations. The brainchild – and creation – of Dr. Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman, the mrudangam scores on several counts including, saving environment (use of fibreglass instead of the wood of jackfruit trees); and keeping the goatskin membranes intact to continue producing the beats. Other Innovations: A mechanical zig to eliminate human error in the moulding of skins & hides for the two drum heads of mrudangam, analysis of black patch, its overtones, the use of tanned and untanned skins and hides and some such important things are his contributions to the art & science of mrudangam.

 
Sangeetha Kalanidhi Umayalpuram Sivaraman
Glass Mridangam Umayalpuram Sivaraman
Mrudanga Cintamanih
The meaning and objective of this work
An encyclopedia on the art of mrudangam, encompassing the entire gamut of playing techniques from start to finish – from the basic lessons to the art of mrudangam accompaniment to vocal and instrumental music in Carnatic Music has been made available to the aspiring students of percussion in the genres of Carnatic Music, Hindustani music and western drumming, through a set of a 22 hour, 7 pack, DVDs, named "Mrudanga Cintamanih". These DVDs are accompanied by a book, covering all the mrudangam lessons under the catchy name "Voyage of mrudangam and its high voltage art". Dr. Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman the legend, a trendsetter, an icon and above all a very great artiste par excellence, has produced this monumental work and he considers this work of art as his "Magnum opus". He opines that this unique work by him will be very useful and helpful not only to mrudangam aspirants but also to all the students of percussion.

 
Padma Vibushan Umayalpuram Sivaraman
Glass Mridangam Umayalpuram Sivaraman
Journal Articles
Dr. Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman has contributed informative articles on mrudangam in Sri Shanmukhananda Sabha's (Bombay) Journal, Bhavan's Journal; Vadya Kala — a publication of the Development Centre for Musical Instruments, Madras (Ministry of Commerce – Handicrafts, Govt. of India) and to several other journals and publications.

 
Indian Mridangam Vidwan Umayalpuram Sivaraman
Glass Mridangam Umayalpuram Sivaraman
Panel of Judges
Dr. Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman has served as a judge in the panel constituted by the Ministry of Education and Culture, Government of India. He has served as a judge in the All India Radio panel, for selection of artistes.

 
Kalaimamani Umayalpuram Sivaraman
Glass Mridangam Umayalpuram Sivaraman
Lecture Demonstrations
Dr. Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman has given lecture demonstrations at The Music Academy, Madras; Tamilnadu Isai Kalluri, University of Madras; National Museum, New Delhi; Sri Shanmukhananda Sabha, Bombay; Karnataka Gana Kala Parishat, Bangalore; Music College, Madurai; Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Coimbatore; Indira Kala Viswa Vidyalaya, Khairagarh; The Conservatorium of Music, The University of Sydney; and in the United States of America etc.