Chidambaram Narayanan

🪔 About

Chidambaram Narayanan is a distinguished Carnatic percussionist and teacher specializing in the mridangam, currently based in Zurich, Switzerland. He received his extensive training under the tutelage of the renowned mridangam maestro Shri T. S. Nandakumar of Mumbai, whose guidance provided him with a strong foundation in the rhythmic traditions of Carnatic classical music. With a career spanning over three decades, Narayanan has established himself as a highly sought-after concert accompanist. He has performed in numerous classical concerts and cultural events both in India and internationally, collaborating with several eminent Carnatic musicians. His notable collaborations include accompanying violinist T. N. Krishnan, vocalists R. Vedavalli, Sikkil Gurucharan, Smt TR Balamani, and Smt T Rukmini, as well as chitravina exponent Ravikiran and Shri Panchapakesa Iyer. Beyond traditional Carnatic music performances, Chidambaram Narayanan has also provided rhythmic accompaniment for Bharatanatyam dance recitals, showcasing his versatility in adapting the mridangam to both concert and dance contexts. His musical engagements extend to cross-cultural collaborations, including a successful partnership with Jazz artist Ben Schachter in Philadelphia. In addition to his performing career, Chidambaram Narayanan is actively involved as a teacher and promoter of Indian classical music in Europe. He manages "Mridangam Zurich," an initiative dedicated to imparting knowledge of the mridangam to students interested in Carnatic percussion. He has been teaching mridangam in Zurich for over ten years, contributing significantly to the propagation of this art form in the region. Narayanan is also associated with the Indian Music Circle (IMC) in Switzerland, where he serves as a programming consultant, helping to present and promote Indian classical music through various concerts and cultural events.