Manikandan Ramachandran

For Manikandan, the Nadhaswaram is more than just a profession—it’s his passion, hobby, and lifelong pursuit. Hailing from a family of musicians in Pattamangalam village, Sivagangai District, Tamil Nadu, he was introduced to the Nadhaswaram at the age of seven by his father and first guru, Mr. Ramachandran Muthuvadugu Pillai. Growing up in a musical environment, Manikandan quickly began performing with his family’s ensemble of Nadhaswaram and Thavil musicians, often playing at the revered Dhakshina Moorthy temple in his village.

Eager to deepen his knowledge, Manikandan enrolled in the Palani Music School at the age of 13, where he studied under the guidance of Guru Thirunageswaram T. R. Rajagopal Pillai. His dedication and talent shone through, earning him the top rank throughout his three years of study. Recognising his achievement, the school offered him a lecturer position at a young age. Manikandan’s musical journey continued with an audition for All India Radio, where he was awarded the prestigious Grade A status as a vocal artist.

Manikandan has since performed solo concerts across India and at major South Indian temples, while also expanding his reach internationally with performances in Sri Lanka, Mauritius, the United Kingdom, and Sweden at various festivals.

Dedicated to preserving the authenticity of Carnatic music, Manikandan also teaches both children and adults in Carnatic vocal music and Nadhaswaram. In his free time, he offers online tutorials on specialised ragas, which have gained widespread popularity among music enthusiasts around the world.