A brand new beat: Sivamani talks about his innovative instruments
He loves the clink and clatter of crash cymbals, the hi-hat is his muse. Sticks have their own time signatures when trapped within his fingers. We’re talking about Sivamani, the master percussionist. Having recently performed at the Festa De Diu, Sivamani spoke to us (in between rehearsals) about new sounds. Excerpts from the conversation:
Since you’ve started composing for films, how do you refrain from making an album solely based on rhythm? Your new film, Kanithan, is a blend of both beat and melody.
Melody is very important in a song, my lineage says so. My gurus — Pasupuleti Ramesh Naidu, K.V. Mahadevan, S.P. Balasubrahmanyam — have taught me that.
You’ve played on tables, chairs and created sound out of everything. Is there anything that the world is yet to see you play on?
I keep collecting instruments whenever I am travelling. I have collected many from different parts of the world and I use it according to the demands of a song. I think it would be a small biryani kadhai — a new sound can be produced from that.
What is the latest instrument you’ve collected?
Slaperoo. It is a SlapStick/slap bass instrument introduced to me by Andy Graham, the inventor. It is one stick with metal, an electric tuned rod. I use that often.
Instruments like kazoo, continuum fingerboard are being used these days. What’s your take on them?
You won’t believe it, but it was A.R. (Rahman) who gave me a continuum. We both experienced its magic in Coke Studio (Zariya). He told me “You have to play (this)”. I had never touched it before.
Rahman and you have toured the world extensively. What does he do when he is not on stage?
A.R. loves good movies and of course, listening to music. Once we had a concert in the US. We were jet-lagged the day we landed. We didn’t know what to do that night. So A.R. took me to a 24-hour music store in Manhattan.
Do you remember any funny incident from that tour/other tours?
Oh yes. We came out of the aircraft and saw a limousine. People were like “Get in, get in”. We hadn’t loaded our luggage. It was all happening too fast. One man came and opened the door. I was like “Whose vehicle is this?!” After some time, I was told that it had come for A.R. I am proud to say that I am a part of his family, an elder brother to him.
Which are your favourite Rahman songs?
Well, it’s difficult to pinpoint one or two but I love [breaks into the tune of] Azeem O Shaan Shahenshah from Jodhaa Akbar (2008). I also like Chale Chalo from Lagaan (2001).
Apart from Rahman, which other collaborations have you really enjoyed?
Recently, I did this song for Vishal-Shekhar — [starts humming] Manwa Laage — from Happy New Year (2014). I loved playing that song.
Who would be your favourite drummers from this generation?
I like Gino Banks, Siddharth Nagarajan and many more.
