Karaikudi Mani

Music gives life to many, but there are few who give life to Music. Karaikudi R Mani(b.September 111945).

] . This led to the release of a jazz fusion CD, “Into the Fire”.

Many would have thought it unlikely that such a pious Carnatic classicist would move into fusion music. However, mani's approach to fusion is methodical and produced after much research, planning together with innovative ingenuity. He believes that fusion is not just the coming together of musical instruments but the fusing of musical systems done by musicians who have sufficient expertise to produce music that is inseparable. A notable aspect of mani's fusion is the technical perfection that is maintained with the fusion adhering to the rules of classical music at all times.

International Collaboration

Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani has performed with many international artists like Paul Grabowsky of Australian Art Orchestra, Eero Haemmeneimi of Finland Naada group [] . In this album, Guru Kaaraikkudi mani has created a unique synthesis of shakuhachi and Indian percussion.

In 2007, mani has started the Sruthi Laya Kendra institution in New Jersey Ramsey, USA and Mridanga Seshthiram of Toronto-Canada merged with Sruthi laya Kendra.

Musician, Editor, Founder

* Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani is the first percussionist to start a music magazine called " Layamani Layam " [] and it is running successfully now for the past 13 years.

* SRUTHI LAYA KENDRA, Chennai, for the past 19 years has been conducting winter music festival dedicated to Guru Surajananda. The Guru Surajananda and Gowri Manohari awards with a cash award of Rs. 10,000 each are given to eminent personalities and best performers during the festival season.

* SRUTHI LAYA KENDRA, Secunderabad center has been conducting annual music and dance festival for the past 7 years. Cash award of Rs. 10,000 is given to eminent personalities in the name of Sri Ganapathi Sachidananda Swamigal of Mysore.

* Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani's involvement in the last 55 years to development of Mridangam art has been exclusive and innovative. To mark this occasion , a group of students have presented him with a luxury car. An effort such as this has not been attempted before, in any part of the world for any kind of music.

Mani has still on the mission with multiplied determination and enthusiasm, of propagating the value of Rhythm in music and the role of Mridangam and the importance of rhythm in music to reach the masses worldwide and catapulting mridangam with multiplied determination and enthusiasm to more curious heights

SEASUN - The Gurukulam

Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani has launched a gurukulam called "Seasun Gurukulam" [] off East Coast Road near the seashore at Panayur Chennai - 600-119 (18 km away from mylapore chennai). The Seasun School is situated near the sashore environment. It is, strongly emphasized that the curricula demand high-quality academic achievement. It requires concentrated and consistent study. The gurukulam consist of guestrooms, classroom, common kitchen and music library for learners. The intensity of the program normally consists of weekend study, daily classes, and field exercises. Several short trips are made during the year in connection with courses.

Motto - Stay, Study, Shine

The motto behind the gurukalam is Stay, Study and Shine

tay

Stay - Self-discipline is important in any endeavor of life. It is best defined as the ability to regulate one's conduct by principle and sound judgment, rather than by impulse, desire, or social custom, basically staring from keeping the time, finishing of what being started and last but not the least respecting and value to parents and elders. Clinically, self-discipline may be summarized in one word: obedience. To exercise self-discipline is to avoid evil by staying within the bounds of God's law. Staying in gurukulam will also helps in the development of self discipline in their own life.

tudy

Study - Learners will be given rigorous practice and strenuous exercise during the tenure at gurukulam. It helps the learners to excel in their specific art.

hine

Shine - Apart from Hard work, Smart work makes a person prolific in his career. Gurukulam not only makes learners work harder, but also makes work smarter which makes them shine in future.

The Legend

Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani, a veteran of fifty five years in the field of Carnatic music is not just a great performer, but a dedicated teacher too. With a zest and passion rarely found elsewhere, he has created a veritable generation of musicians and artists to sustain his style into the next millennium. A composer of considerable acclaim, he has wowed audiences the world over with the Carnatic and jazz ensembles. To truly take Carnatic Music to masses, he has been single-handedly editing and publishing a bimonthly magazine called Layamani Layam for the past 13 years. His unique organizing skill (as exemplified by the many percussion schools he runs world-wide and the annual music festival he conducts at Chennai, India) makes for a really multi-faceted personality. Quite interestingly though, it is not the above qualities that set him apart. His humility, down-to-earthness, dedication, discipline and honesty are what set him apart as a shining sun in this constellation of lesser stars.

WebSite

* [http://www.karaikudirmani.com Karaikudi R. Mani's home Page]

References