Ghatam Suresh

Vaidyanathan Suresh is one of the few percussionists with an aesthetic sense of approach to performing on any percussion instrument especially ghatam his favorite earthen clay pot instrument! A rare drummer who has mastered this amusing clay pot,Suresh can adapt with remarkable speed & precision the techniques of drumming of any part of the world.

The maestros who taught Ghatam Suresh

Sri T.V. Gopalakrishnan, the versatile genius is the great guru, in whom Suresh found a teacher, friend, Philosopher and guide to mend himself into a complete musician in every respect. With Sri TVG, Suresh not only learnt the art and style but also discipline and humility which are the prerequisities for a dignified musician.

Suresh was adopted by Sri.TVG when he was 12 years old, seeking a Guru, after winning the prestigious Talent Search Scholarship from Govt. of India. It was the beginning of a very fine relationship that till today guides suresh in the hard pursuit of nothing but excellence.

Suresh had his Fundamental training under Sri T.R. Harihara sarma and Sri T.H. Vinayakanam the Ghatam maestro.

Suresh has had the unique opportunity to learn the one and only Umayalpuram Kothandaramaiyer school of Ghatam playing from none other than Late/Sri Umayalpuram Narayanaswamy. With the invaluable and inimitable style adding to his existing techniques, Suresh is now the authentic sole representative of Umayalpuram Kothandarama Iyer style.

A Specialist in 'Double Gamaka' (ie) playing the Gumuki, the base note with both wrists with equal ease, Suresh has developed numerous garlands of rhythm exclusive of his style. The uncompromising strict adherence to tradition clubbed with innovations, has laurels for Suresh from doyens of carnatic music. Many a great percussionists of today are unanimous about Suresh always has an insatiable urge to learn new ideas and adapt different schools to perform on line and par with percussionists all over India and abroad. He has learnt the techniques of playing on a variety of South Indian percussion instruments. Mridangam, Kanjira, Thavil, Konnakkol, Dolki, are to name a few that Suresh has been performing on.

Awards and Titles

Suresh is the recipient of the prestigious President's medal for winning the first prize for ghatam in the All India Radio annual competitions in 1981.

Suresh is the Asthana Vidwan (court musician) in the holy mutts of "Ahobhila" and Kanchi.

Suresh has been awarded the first Umayalpuram Kothandarama iyer memorial award befitting his style in 1997.

Suresh has been awarded the titles “NADA OLI” and “LAYA VADYA SIRONMANI” by prestigious organizations in Chennai.
Having Perfomed in numerous CD's and cassette albums, giving Ghatam support to vocal and instrumental music which are available all over the World. Suresh has brought out an exclusive album on Ghatam as a tribute to the wonderful instrument which is more vocal in expression.
Turning a Vocalist!

It was a passion groomed for more than a decade and thanks to the revered genius Guru Sri P S Thyagarajan, Suresh gave his first vocal concert in February 2004 resolving to make a mark as a vocalist too.

Though a post graduate in commerce and cost accountant, Suresh chose music as his career, and has carved a niche for himself as a top ranked ghatam vidwan. Suresh tours extensively and performs in the company of top ranking classical and modern musicians for more than 2 decades.

He has performed in major cultural festivals in China, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Germany, UK and USA and the Gulf countries.