Akshay Anantapadmanabhan

🪔 About

Akshay Anantapadmanabhan is an internationally acclaimed Carnatic mridangam artist, composer, multi-percussionist, and educator, known for his innovative approach to rhythm and his contributions to Carnatic music. Born in India, he began his mridangam training at the age of five in Mumbai with Sri T.S. Nandhakumar. At nine, he moved to the United States, where his passion for the mridangam deepened under the tutelage of Dr. Venkat Natarajan in New Jersey, who introduced him to his primary guru, the legendary Sri T.H. Subash Chandran. Anantapadmanabhan holds a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from The Cooper Union, New York, and his engineering background significantly influences his analytical approach to rhythm and his innovations in percussion technology. He is the inventor of a patent-pending modular mridangam and pioneered the world's first Stand-Up Mridangam Stand, aiming to enhance performance dynamics and travel logistics for artists. His acoustic research also led to the "Spotless Mridangam" discovery, improving tonal clarity and instrument longevity. In 2012, Akshay moved to Chennai, India, to pursue a full-time career in music. He is an A-Grade artist of All India Radio, Chennai, and has performed with numerous Carnatic music icons, including Sri RK Srikantan, Smt. Sudha Raghunathan, Smt. Aruna Sairam, and Sri TM Krishna. Beyond traditional Carnatic performances, he is a core member of popular fusion bands like 'The Thayir Sadam Project' and 'Carnatic 2.0 Reloaded,' exploring cross-genre collaborations with rock, Latin jazz, and Hindustani musicians. He has also given master lectures on Konnakol and Indian rhythm at institutions like NYUAD, NYU, and CUNY. Passionate about global accessibility to Carnatic rhythm, Akshay founded Nam Dhi Academy, a hybrid digital learning mridangam academy offering online lessons and in-person workshops. He also directs the Nam Dhi Ensemble, a contemporary Talavadya group featuring his advanced students. Awards & Honours: Sangeeta Natak Akademi Yuva Puraskar (2023), "Best Mridangist" Award, North America Young Musician Award, Dr. Vasantrao Deshpande Yuva Sangeet Pratiyogita Puraskar, IndianRaga Fellowship, Lavanya Laya Nipuna, Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer Youth Excellence Award, Yuva Prathiba (2016).