Mridangist AV Anand to be honoured for contributions to music

The Hindu

27-06-2025

With eight decades of a musical career to his credit, mridanga Vidwan AV Anand has not only accompanied star musicians, but has also led solo percussion sessions on global music platforms. 'I have had the privilege of accompanying five generations of star artistes on my mridanga,' says Anand, whose his first concert was with Violin Chowdiah when he was barely 11 years old.
After that concert, Anand says, he was mentored by Chowdiah in more than just musical finesse. Alankar Venkobachar Anand, a recipient of the Karnataka Rajya Sangeeta Vidwan, also credits his guru, Ghata vidwan KS Manjunath, for his foundation in rhythm and laya (tempo), and adds he was also inspired by mridangists Palghat Mani Iyer and Palani Subramanya Pillai.
AV Anand, who just turned 90, is being felicitated on June 28 by senior musicians and percussionists at Layananda, a musical event, that will celebrate his life and achievements.
'With no dramatic walloping on his instrument, Vidwan Anand has demonstrated how his aesthetic-thumping hardly ever overwhelms the main artiste. He has passed on his signature Arai Chapu and fingering techniques to hundreds of students who are successful percussionists today,' says senior musician Ramakanth Srikantan, who has been observing Anand's talent from the 1960s.
The maestro's innovative percussion compositions are now available as online lessons free of cost on his website. 'Creating the site was a two-year intellectual exercise,' says Kalashree, Anand's daughter, talking about the Herculean task undertaken by two of her father's senior students — Abhijit S and Puranika V Bhatta.
The duo recorded nearly 1,000 lessons in audio and video formats and curated the content for the site. Apart from the official launch of the website at Layananda, the event will see musical tributes to AV Anand.
'One has to follow a disciplined lifestyle to become a complete musician, and AV Anand did so,' says vainika D Balakrishna, recalling his father Veena Doreswamy Iyengar's impression of Anand. 'Anand embellishes compositions to add to their melodic value, but what youngsters need to observe are his solo pieces where he packs in curious combos and technicalities,' says Balakrishna, who also plays the mridanga.
Early start
Hailing from Holenarsipura in Hassan District, Anand, born to Venkobachar and Nagamma, completed his BSc from Mysore University and went on to retire as senior chemist from Amco Batteries. 'I started learning the mridanga from KS Manjunath as a six year old. His teaching techniques were methodical and systematic, with complex laya patterns made easy due to his friendly formatting,' says Anand.
He adds, 'At the time, I never thought I would hold on to them for decades. I not only enjoyed what came my way but also worked towards enhancing my art so I could nurture a refined subtlety to my presentations. I don't believe in dramatic makeovers, aural pleasantry is what I've always aimed at.'
As a young musician, every class was an eye-opener and every concert he heard on the radio or in person opened another window of understanding. 'Laya is not just rhythm to support melody. One has to understand how to make the stream of beats flow in a manner that synchronises with the presentation. Basic lessons can take you only to a certain level, but improvisations based on your foundation and observations lead to a signature style,' says the maestro.
'When my guru had me play informally for ace performers who visited his home for practice sessions, I grabbed every opportunity to widen my repertoire. Every student has to practice, and his homework must include listening to concerts.'
Within a decade of his first concert, Anand had earned the praise of musicians such as Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar, TR Mahalingam, ML Vasanthakumari, Semmangudi, Dr.M Balamuralikrishna, DK Pattammal, RK Srikantan and many others for bringing a soothing quality on to the dais.
He has been invited for concerts and lecture-demonstrations in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Malaysia and Singapore. Anand is also a recipient of prestigious honours such as the Sangeeta Kalarathna by the Bangalore Gayana Samaja and the TTK Memorial Award by the Madras Music Academy amongst others.
According to star vocalist MS Sheela, 'Anand's restrained touch on the mridanga, with a clarity of strokes to embellish each style of presentation, aptly mirrors his soft persona earning him accolades from all generations of artistes.'
Layananda, felicitation of mridangist AV Anand, will take place at Pathi Sabhangana, NR Colony Rama Mandira on June 28, from 9.30am. Entry free. Log in to layananda.org for more information