Sebastian & Sons: A Brief History Of The Mrdangam Makers
Sebastian and Sons is a revealing journey into the history of the mrdangam, the heartbeat of Karnatik music, and the invisible craftspersons who keep its sound alive. Part history, part ethnography, this book by renowned Karnatik vocalist Thodur Madabusi Krishna—often known as T. M. Krishna—invites readers to the maker’s workshop and the archive alike to meet the mrdangam makers whose patient labor shapes every beat. Written for music lovers, students of culture, and curious readers, it offers an educational, inspiring, and deeply human look at tradition, performance, and community.
Krishna's narrative travels from recent histories to living practice, weaving interviews, archival fragments, and field observations into a cohesive portrait of a living tradition. It explains the meticulous drum-making process—from sourcing skins and choosing wood to curing, binding, and tuning—that determines the mrdangam's tone. The experience is enriched by vivid scenes of workshops and the artisans themselves, whose exacting craft demands both intellect and instinct.
By foregrounding the makers, many from Dalit Christian communities, Sebastian and Sons expands the canon of Karnatik music beyond the concert hall. The book acknowledges the influence of legendary artists like Palghat Mani Iyer while centering those whose names rarely appear in music history, revealing how their ears translate musicians’ ideas into tangible sound. This is not only a book about instruments but about culture, labor, and the people who help music exist.
- In-depth history of the mrdangam and its role in Karnatik music
- Detailed look at the drum-making process: skins, wood, curing, binding, and tuning
- Profiles of artisans, including many from Dalit Christian communities
- Connections to legendary musicians and the instrument’s evolving story
- Accessible, lyrical narrative voice by renowned Karnatik vocalist Thodur Madabusi Krishna
- Fresh perspective on culture, labor, and heritage in music
Sebastian and Sons leaves readers with a richer appreciation for the mrdangam’s voice and the lives that shape it, along with a renewed sense of how sound, history, and identity intertwine. After turning the final page, you’ll feel inspired to listen more closely, value the hands that craft tradition, and carry a deeper respect for the heritage of Karnatik music.
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Sebastian & Sons: A Brief History Of The Mrdangam Makers
Sebastian & Sons: A Brief History Of The Mrdangam Makers
Sebastian and Sons is a revealing journey into the history of the mrdangam, the heartbeat of Karnatik music, and the invisible craftspersons who keep its sound alive. Part history, part ethnography, this book by renowned Karnatik vocalist Thodur Madabusi Krishna—often known as T. M. Krishna—invites readers to the maker’s workshop and the archive alike to meet the mrdangam makers whose patient labor shapes every beat. Written for music lovers, students of culture, and curious readers, it offers an educational, inspiring, and deeply human look at tradition, performance, and community.
Krishna's narrative travels from recent histories to living practice, weaving interviews, archival fragments, and field observations into a cohesive portrait of a living tradition. It explains the meticulous drum-making process—from sourcing skins and choosing wood to curing, binding, and tuning—that determines the mrdangam's tone. The experience is enriched by vivid scenes of workshops and the artisans themselves, whose exacting craft demands both intellect and instinct.
By foregrounding the makers, many from Dalit Christian communities, Sebastian and Sons expands the canon of Karnatik music beyond the concert hall. The book acknowledges the influence of legendary artists like Palghat Mani Iyer while centering those whose names rarely appear in music history, revealing how their ears translate musicians’ ideas into tangible sound. This is not only a book about instruments but about culture, labor, and the people who help music exist.
- In-depth history of the mrdangam and its role in Karnatik music
- Detailed look at the drum-making process: skins, wood, curing, binding, and tuning
- Profiles of artisans, including many from Dalit Christian communities
- Connections to legendary musicians and the instrument’s evolving story
- Accessible, lyrical narrative voice by renowned Karnatik vocalist Thodur Madabusi Krishna
- Fresh perspective on culture, labor, and heritage in music
Sebastian and Sons leaves readers with a richer appreciation for the mrdangam’s voice and the lives that shape it, along with a renewed sense of how sound, history, and identity intertwine. After turning the final page, you’ll feel inspired to listen more closely, value the hands that craft tradition, and carry a deeper respect for the heritage of Karnatik music.
Product Information
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Shipping & Returns
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Description
Sebastian and Sons is a revealing journey into the history of the mrdangam, the heartbeat of Karnatik music, and the invisible craftspersons who keep its sound alive. Part history, part ethnography, this book by renowned Karnatik vocalist Thodur Madabusi Krishna—often known as T. M. Krishna—invites readers to the maker’s workshop and the archive alike to meet the mrdangam makers whose patient labor shapes every beat. Written for music lovers, students of culture, and curious readers, it offers an educational, inspiring, and deeply human look at tradition, performance, and community.
Krishna's narrative travels from recent histories to living practice, weaving interviews, archival fragments, and field observations into a cohesive portrait of a living tradition. It explains the meticulous drum-making process—from sourcing skins and choosing wood to curing, binding, and tuning—that determines the mrdangam's tone. The experience is enriched by vivid scenes of workshops and the artisans themselves, whose exacting craft demands both intellect and instinct.
By foregrounding the makers, many from Dalit Christian communities, Sebastian and Sons expands the canon of Karnatik music beyond the concert hall. The book acknowledges the influence of legendary artists like Palghat Mani Iyer while centering those whose names rarely appear in music history, revealing how their ears translate musicians’ ideas into tangible sound. This is not only a book about instruments but about culture, labor, and the people who help music exist.
- In-depth history of the mrdangam and its role in Karnatik music
- Detailed look at the drum-making process: skins, wood, curing, binding, and tuning
- Profiles of artisans, including many from Dalit Christian communities
- Connections to legendary musicians and the instrument’s evolving story
- Accessible, lyrical narrative voice by renowned Karnatik vocalist Thodur Madabusi Krishna
- Fresh perspective on culture, labor, and heritage in music
Sebastian and Sons leaves readers with a richer appreciation for the mrdangam’s voice and the lives that shape it, along with a renewed sense of how sound, history, and identity intertwine. After turning the final page, you’ll feel inspired to listen more closely, value the hands that craft tradition, and carry a deeper respect for the heritage of Karnatik music.
