HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-11- Honoring Guru Kaaraikkudi ManiProclamation
Honoring Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani
WHEREAS, Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani was a legendary percussion (Mridangam – a South Indian
drum) artist from India, who pioneered in the art of playing Mridangam for over seven decades; and
WHEREAS, Mani was born on September 11, 1945 in the town of Karaikudi in India to Sri. T.
Ramantha Iyer and Smt. Pattammal. At the young age of 18, in 1963, he received the coveted “President’s
Award” from Sarvapalli Sri. Radhakrishnan, the then President of India. He was also awarded the “Sangeet
Natak Academy” National award in the year 1999, by Sri. K.R. Narayanan, the then President of India; and
WHEREAS, he revolutionized the South Indian musical scene by bringing the instrument
Mridangam to the center stage through unique solo and percussion-only music concerts (“Thalavadhya
Kutcheris”); and
WHEREAS, over the years, through his dedication and involvement, Mani evolved a new dimension
and style of Mridangam playing, which has come to be known as the “Kaaraikkudi Mani style (or bani)”; and
WHEREAS, he was a pioneer of Carnatic (South Indian classical) fusion music and had the unique
honor of collaborating with several eminent international artists who played a plethora of musical instruments,
and he produced many works with the Australian Art Orchestra and Finland Philharmonic Orchestra
WHEREAS, Mani established a school, Sruthi Laya Kendra, through which he has directly taught
the art of playing Mridangam to more than 1000 students. The school is still functioning now across several
centers in India, Australia, the UK, and the USA; and
WHEREAS, he was a philanthropist who donated funds to senior musicians by organizing concerts.
He taught Mridangam free of cost to several deserving students from economically challenged backgrounds
and also supported the livelihood, family, and education of Mridangam makers and repairers from
underprivileged communities; and
WHEREAS, Mani was a versatile musician, innovator in the field of rhythm, and a pioneer in Indian
classical music, who dedicated his life to art and has left behind a significant legacy in the form of his eternal
music for many generations to come.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Lydia Kou, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto, on behalf of the entire City
Council, do hereby recognize and honor Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani for his countless accomplishments in
bringing percussion music to the center stage, dedicating his life to his art, and spreading Indian classical
music to the world.
Presented: September 11, 2023
______________________________
Lydia Kou
Mayor