Biography

Suresh Vaidyanthan is a professional ghatam artist based out of the capital city of Tamil Nadu, Chennai. Internationally respected and acclaimed for his profound knowledge of melody and Indian rhythm, Suresh has revolutionised the art of playing ghatam with his aggressive and aesthetic style. Hailed as the Pele of Percussion, he is acknowledged for his elegant spontaneity and technical supremacy. Suresh’s energetic performances with top drummers internationally, his luminous compositions, enlightening workshops on Indian music and drumming and his teaching abilities have brought him global respect ranging from jazz festivals, drum festivals and universities to music schools around the world for more than three decades now. Trained by illustrious musicians like TH Vinayakaram, TR Harihara Sharma, Dr TV Gopalakrishnan Sangita Kalanidhi and Umayalpuram Narayanaswamy Iyer, Suresh gained pre-eminence with his unique sound modulation, fingering techniques, and aesthetic accompaniment. Besides composing music, he is also a creative writer about society and music and has penned many poems in Tamil. Suresh has the unique credit of sharing the stage with Larry Coryell (guitarist), Peter Sprague (guitarist), Paul Grabowsky (pianist), Leszek Mozdzer (pianist), Alister Spence (pianist), Adrien Sheriff (trombone), Sandy Evens (saxophonist), George Brookes (saxophonist), Scot Tinkler (trumpet), Pete Lockett (drummer), Taffa Cissé (drummer), Greg Ellis (drummer), Zohar Fresco (percussionist), Vannessa Tomilnson (percussionist), Alisandro Tomasitti (percussionist), and Eero Hämeenniemi (composer). Awards: Asthana Vidwan of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham Asthana Vidwan of Sri Ahobhila Mutt Asthana Vidwan of Sri Datta Avadootha Peetham, Mysore Layavadya Sironmani Laya Sevabhimani Laya Vadya Chatura Nada Oli Gandharva Gana Ratna