Kaaraikkudi Mani 81st Birthday Celebration | Concert, Sep 11
The Kaaraikkudi Mani 81st birthday celebration brings a full evening of honours and music to Narada Gana Sabha today. Sruthi Laya Kendra organises the programme on September 11, 2026, in association with Narada Gana Sabha Trust.
The evening splits into two parts. An award function starts at 5:45 PM, followed by a Carnatic concert at 6:30 PM. Moreover, the programme runs in the Main Hall rather than the Mini Hall. Therefore, expect a substantial gathering.
Event Details at a Glance
Occasion: 81st Birthday Celebration of Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani
Award Function: 5:45 PM — Title bestowed on a Chenda maestro
Concert: 6:30 PM
Date: Friday, September 11, 2026
Venue: Narada Gana Sabha, Main Hall, 314 TTK Road, Alwarpet, Chennai 600018
Organiser: Sruthi Laya Kendra
In association with: Narada Gana Sabha Trust
Contact: 044 2499 3201
The Award Function at 5:45 PM
The evening opens with a title presentation honouring a chenda maestro.
Shri Mattanur Sankarankutty Marar receives the title. He is among the most respected chenda artists in the Kerala percussion tradition.
Cleveland V. V. Sundaram presides as Chief Guest. He is well known for his work promoting Carnatic music internationally.
Consequently, the award function itself draws an audience beyond regular concert-goers. Percussion enthusiasts and members of the Kerala arts community typically attend such presentations.
Why Honouring a Chenda Artist Matters Here
The chenda is a cylindrical drum central to Kerala’s temple and ritual music. It anchors panchavadyam and chenda melam ensembles, and its sound carries enormous power.
Because Kaaraikkudi Mani has spent decades working across percussion traditions, honouring a chenda artist at his birthday celebration makes complete sense. In fact, cross-tradition recognition of this kind is exactly what strengthens the wider percussion community.
Furthermore, the Mattanur lineage holds a particular reputation in Kerala percussion. So the Kaaraikkudi Mani 81st birthday celebration carries real significance for both traditions.
The Concert Line-Up at 6:30 PM
Four artists perform after the award function.
Sandeep Narayan — Vocal. He leads the concert. Consequently, his raga choices shape the arc of the evening.
L. Ramakrishnan — Violin. He provides melodic accompaniment and answers the vocal line.
Sumesh S. Narayanan — Mridangam. He anchors the rhythmic foundation of every piece.
S. Krishna — Ghatam. He adds a second percussion voice alongside the mridangam.
Why the Percussion Pairing Deserves Attention
Given the occasion, the percussion line-up carries extra weight. Kaaraikkudi Mani is himself a mridangam master, so a concert in his honour naturally puts rhythm at the centre.
The ghatam addition matters here. It is a clay pot played with fingers, palms and wrists. Because it produces a drier, sharper attack than the mridangam, the two instruments complement rather than duplicate each other.
Watch for the tani avartanam especially. During this percussion solo, both players exchange rhythmic phrases back and forth. Therefore, on an evening celebrating a percussion guru, this segment should draw particular attention from the audience.
About Sruthi Laya Kendra
Sruthi Laya Kendra was founded by Kaaraikkudi Mani as a training and performance institution. The organisation has shaped generations of percussionists through its work.
Additionally, Sruthi Laya has long promoted collaboration across percussion traditions. So an award honouring a chenda artist fits the institution’s broader approach.
About the Venue
Narada Gana Sabha on TTK Road ranks among Chennai’s most established cultural venues. The complex hosts music, dance and drama through the year.
The Main Hall seats considerably more people than the Mini Hall. Therefore, it suits a combined award function and concert well — both segments need room for a large gathering.
How to Reach the Venue
A few tips help:
Arrive by 5:30 PM. The award function starts at 5:45 PM sharp, and birthday celebrations draw big crowds.
Come for both segments. The award presentation and concert form one continuous programme.
Plan your parking. TTK Road stays busy on Friday evenings. So park on a side street and walk.
Use public transport. Buses run frequently along TTK Road. Likewise, autos know the sabha by name instantly.
Call ahead. Reach 044 2499 3201 to confirm admission and hall details.
Plan Your Evening in Alwarpet
Alwarpet rewards an early arrival. Cafes, restaurants and bookshops sit within walking distance along TTK Road. Furthermore, the sabha canteen usually serves filter coffee and snacks.
Finally, keep tracking Chennai classical music events with us. Between celebration programmes and the December Margazhi season, Alwarpet stays busy almost every week.
Final Thoughts
A title presentation for a chenda maestro, a distinguished chief guest and a full Carnatic concert — the Kaaraikkudi Mani 81st birthday celebration makes today’s strongest evening on the Chennai calendar. Reach Narada Gana Sabha by 5:30 PM and settle in for both segments.
