Activities  

           

Percussive Arts Centre was founded with the twin objectives of

Ψ       Perpetuating the haloed memory of maestro non-peril of Mrudangam art Palghat T. S. Mani Iyer and 
Ψ       Promotion of dissemination of greater awareness among laymen and scholars alike of the knowledge of finer aspects of Percussive Arts.  

Late S.Y. Krishnaswamy, IAS, a devoted admirer, connoisseur, art critic and an authority on Palghat Mani’s multi-dimensional eloquence inaugurated it as “Palghat Mani Iyer Memorial Art Centre” on the Vijayadashami in 1981. This is the First Music Centre established to commemorate the invaluable services of Palghat Mani Iyer to Music. In his inaugural address, S. Y. Krishnaswamy observed and hoped that, “If this new venture should enable the audience to understand what the Mrudangam Vidwan is doing, with greater interest and greater knowledge than ever before, then this Centre would have served a very useful purpose”.  

The necessity for forming an exclusive organization for promotion of the interests in the intricacies of Laya and Taala had been long felt. It was thought fit to name this Centre after the maestro Palghat Mani Iyer, considering the contribution of this great artist in elevating the status of percussion accompanists in general. Palghat Mani is mostly responsible for the recognition and the present uniform remuneration of similarly graded artistes in mass media like Akashavani (AIR) and Doordarshan.  

This Art Centre was registered in August 1985 as Percussive Arts Centre (Palghat Mani Iyer memorial Arts Centre) with a wider perspective of achieving the objects set forth. Gethu Vaadya, the ancient stringed percussion instrument was introduced in a Percussion Ensemble for the first time. Several Temple and Folk-Stick-instruments like Sammela, Chande and Chowdike were introduced in addition to Tabla Tarang to provide melody besides Rhythm. New Concepts and compositional forms are being tried. All these have paved a fresh approach to the concept of Laya. The international Mini Drum Festival organized with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations of Central Government for the first time in Bangalore provided new dimension in the appreciation or Percussive Arts. Percussion Ensemble of the Art Centre has drawn appreciation for its fresh innovative concepts and new presentations.  

The Centre has been organizing “Thaalavaadyotsavas”, the Percussive Arts Festival cum Conferences as an annual feature. A Project of Talent Promotion has been taken up. Youth forum of the Art Centre has been doing some praise worthy work in the promotion of awareness among young artists. Inter State Cultural Exchange of classical musicians has also been taken up.  

We have been conferring annual awards to outstanding percussionists. K. K. Murthy, President, Academy of Music, Bangalore has instituted an Award in memory of his father, “K. Puttu Rao Memorial Palghat Mani Award”. The award includes a citation, a cash award, shawl and the title “MRUDANGA KALAA SHIROMANI”. “Palani Subramanya Pillai Award” is donated by Rama Sudha Charities from 1994 and the title “Laya Kalaa Nipuna” is being conferred. Khanjira Kala Shiromani H.P. Ramachar has been donating for the “H. Puttachar Memorial Award” to be presented to a deserving talented artist in the mid-age carrying the title “Laya Kalaa Prathibha Mani”.  

Since the inception of the Centre, despite several financial constraints, the Centre has managed to bring out several publications.  

Dr. Sreedevi and Dr. H.K. Chandrasekahar of USA, have created an endowment organize the HCK Bhatta memorial programmes, some of which have already been released as monographs. The Centre has conducted several Lecture-Demonstrations, Study Circles and Seminars on topics related to Laya, Taala and Percussive Arts by acknowledged scholars and outstanding exponents. These have been received well by the erudite and the laymen alike. Several concerts are also being organized to supplement these activities. The Centre has undertaken several projects and the Seminars on Laya participated by artists from several States have been acclaimed a unique success. Our quarterly newsletter “Percussive Art” is a medium through which our activities are published. Documenting the services of eminent artistes has been taken up and some artistes have already been covered. Rama Sudha Charities have been sponsoring this item.  

The maintenance grant of the Govt. of Karnataka has infused a confidence in us to enlarge the academic contents of our activities and we have successfully conducted Study Circles, Seminars, Lecture Demonstrations etc., Govt. of India, Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi have been very kind in assisting the Centre with their grants. The State Govt. have supported with their grants. We are deeply obliged to all these bodies. Our sponsors and advertisers have kept our spirits flying and have supported our efforts very nobly. We express our thanks to them all. Dr. Raja Ramanna is our Patron-in-Chief.  Our thanks to M. R. Doraiswamy Iyengar, Chairman, Reception Committee for the wholehearted support. V. Krishnan, our patron has been our perennial support in augmenting our finances. We have the guidance of our President Justice Nittoor Sreenivasa Rau in all our activities. Members of our various committees extend support in all our endeavors. Advertisers, Donors and Sponsors have been extending their co-operation. With the support of these connoisseurs, we hope to do better. We convey our gratitude to all our previous office – bearers for their invaluable help and support. We seek the continued patronage of all our benefactors in our future endeavors in a like manner to enable further contributing our mite in future years as well.  

We thank all those who have directly and indirectly associated with us and have helped us in our efforts in the cause of promotion of Percussive Arts.