Teen Is First Malaysian Female To Graduate As ‘Mirdhangam’ Drummer

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By Sajad Hussein

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 (Bernama) — A plucky Malaysian teenager has become the first female in the country to qualify as ‘mirdhangam’ (traditional South Indian drum) drummer.

Arundhati Sekaran, 17, has just graduated from the local Indian music academy, ‘Sangeetha Swara Laya’, in mastering the ‘mirdhangam’, a male-oriented musical instrument.

The fifth former, from Sungei Petani, Kedah, will receive her certificate from the renowned Alagappa University in Tamil Nadu at the academy’s first convocation in Shah Alam on Aug 7.

The academy founder and principal, Hariharan Subramaniam, told Bernama today that Arundhati’s success was one of pride for the community and country as the ‘mirdhangam’ was traditionally a male forte.

“It requires a lot of concentration, discipline and stamina to use the drum which females usually find it difficult to handle,” he added.

Hariharan said the academy would encourage more females to take up the ‘mirdhangam’.

Currently, the academy has 12 centres nationwide, with 700 students. Besides its affiliation to the Alagappa Univeristy, it was also affiliated to the Alagappa Performing Arts Academy in California, USA.

Another student, Dr Vanitha Gopalakrishnan, 32, will receive the gold medal for topping the pioneer batch.

The holder of a doctorate in environmental engineering from Universiti Sains Malaysia is set to supervise the academy s northern region centres.

Hariharan said the academy established in 1999 was the first in Malaysia to offer degree courses in Indian classical music, using state-of-the-art training modules.

Those interested to pursue the courses could contact the academy via e-mail at hariharan@sangeethaswaralaya.com or 012-2990776 for more information.

? BERNAMA

Source: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=517977

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Filed Under: Culture