T. S. Nandakumar

🪔 About

T. S. Nandakumar, also known as "Bombay Nandakumar" and "TSN," is a renowned Indian Carnatic music percussionist, composer, and educator, primarily adept in playing the mridangam. Born on March 17, 1958, in Ambalappuzha, Kerala, India, he hails from a musical family, with his uncles being the famous nadaswaram duo, the Ambalapuzha Brothers. Nandakumar began his mridangam training at the tender age of four under the tutelage of Kaithavana Madhavadas in the gurukula sampradaya tradition, achieving proficiency as a Laya Vidwan. He commenced his professional career as a mridangist in Bombay (Mumbai) and has since accompanied numerous luminaries in Carnatic music, including Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, M. D. Ramanathan, M. Balamuralikrishna, and K. J. Yesudas. Nandakumar is the founder of TSN's Percussive Arts Centre (TSNPAC), an institution dedicated to teaching Carnatic percussion and organizing musical ensemble performances. The center, initially established in Maharashtra, India, is now incorporated in New Jersey, USA, where Nandakumar is currently based. He trains hundreds of students worldwide in various percussion instruments such as mridangam, konnakol, thavil, ghatam, kanjira, and morsing. His teaching methodology has been lauded, and he has conducted numerous lecture-demonstrations and workshops globally. Nandakumar has composed and released albums like "Jewels of Rhythm" (Volumes 1, 2, and 3) and "Vibrative Rhythms," often featuring his students. He has been recognized as a "Guru of all musical things" and "The Master Of Rhythm" by The Times of India, and a "Cultural Ambassador of India" by The Indian Panorama. His contributions to Carnatic instrumental music have earned him India's highest national honor in the performing arts. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2025), Bharat Ratna Dr. M. S. Subbulakshmi Sangeetha Pracharya Award (2007), Excellence Award, Honorary degree, Special Jury Citation of Excellence for Performing arts, Life Time Achievement Award, Best Teacher Award, SwaraSadhana Ratna, Gurushikhamani, Sruthilaya Sudhakara, A-Grade artist, Awarded from Soorya Dance Festival, Visionary Award.