Thavil goes global

Gone are the days when the big bang sounds of the auspicious Thavil announced a wedding or a temple procession in the neighbourhood. The percussion instrument which was primarily played as an accompaniment to Nadaswaram, is now seen on stage along with flute, violin or a vocal concert.
Well known artiste Haridwaramangalam A.K.Palanivel enjoys playing his Thavil not just for Nadaswaram but also for mandolin, saxophone, violin, veena and flute.

How does he modulate the sounds according to the instrument he accompanies? Says he, "The modulation is effected with an artiste's finger. Just like an actor, who changes his acting according to the role he plays in different films, I change my style of playing too according to the main artiste".
Even when it comes to a 'Thani avarthanam' he modifies the sound of the thavil according to the other percussion instruments like tabla, ghatam or mridangam.

Palanivel also runs 'Naada Laya Natyam' where he brings together Bharatanatyam dancers and presents their performances. He provides thavil accompaniment to the dancers.
Music Today's CD, 'Layam' features Palanivel on thavil alongwith Babu and Kumar (nadaswaram), Gayathri Girish, O.S. Arun (vocal), N. Ramani (flute), U. Shrinivas (mandolin), Ganesh and Kumaresh (violin), and Jayanthi Kumaresh (veena):all on individual tracks.
You can contact Palanivel at Ph: 24315037.