The mridangam's rhythm gets an electronic makeover

The Hindu

04-07-2025

The North Axis Project has unveiled its latest track, 'Mridanga'. It is a percussion-driven, bass-infused composition that seamlessly blends Kerala's rich musical heritage with electronic sounds.
'The idea behind the track is to explore the sound of the mridangam, and reimagine it within the modern musical framework,' says Siddharth Bhayani, who spearheads the band. The inspiration, he shares, came during a visit to a South Indian temple, where he was left 'mesmerised by the intricate mridangam rhythm patterns, played during a ritual. It struck me how timeless those beats felt — like it could echo across centuries, and yet move people today,' recalls Siddharth. ''Mridanga' is not just a track, but a dialogue between tradition and innovation.'
Traditionally, the mridangam is central to Carnatic music, is deeply expressive. 'We treated the mridangam not just as an instrument, but as a language, translating its vocabulary into new rhythmic structures that could live on a dancefloor or in a cinematic setting. We studied its phrasing, tonal range and rhythmic grammar. Then we broke it down into isolated strokes, unconventional time signatures, ghost notes — and rebuilt it using electronic production tools like granular synthesis, pitch modulation and spatial FX,' elaborates Siddharth.
Siddharth's musical influences are rooted in Indian classical traditions and global subcultures. On the Indian side, legends such as A.R. Rahman, Sivamani and Karsh Kale have impacted his approache to fusion. 'They showed me that experimentation can be done without losing cultural depth.'
His journey has also been 'shaped by the raw energy of rock, heavy metal and punk rock'. Bands such as Rage Against the Machine and Nirvana influenced his 'early understanding of musical rebellion'. 'That aggressive, no-rules attitude naturally transitioned into my sound design — especially in the North Axis Project,' says Siddharth.
On the electronic side, artists such as Acid Pauli, Bonobo and artistes chosen by the Buddha Bar movement have influenced his music. Psytrance has also been a motivating factor. 'The fusion of all these sounds gives North Axis project its unique identity: rooted, rebellious and rhythmically alive,' he states.
Siddharth is now working on a theatrical live act that brings together musicians, street performers and electronic elements. He is also working on a new track, inspired by the infectious energy of Nashik dhol tasha. 'There is a raw power in its rhythm, the kind that moves not just the feet, but also the spirit. I am working on weaving the dhol's sound into electronic textures, and in the process will take the energy of the streets to the dancefloors,' he adds.
These works follow the trajectory of past North Axis releases such as 'Dhin Na'. They also build on conceptually rich tracks such as 'Haveli', 'Minar' and 'Aangan', whose sounds were inspired by architecture. 'These works explores the acoustic soul of Indian spaces, translating the resonance of courtyards, domes and facades into rhythm and atmosphere,' shares Siddharth, whose background in architecture helps him 'approach sound much like space'.