Slice of Life: ‘Want to be popular across country as nagaswaram player’

I came to Kancheepuram 20 years ago from Thirumalpur. I studied till Class 6. My father Palani was also a nagaswaram player and he trained me in playing the instrument when I was a child. And now, it has been 25 years that I have been playing nagaswaram.

I lead a group of 20 members and we play in temples and at traditional events. I also own a saloon in Thirulakimedu, Kancheepuram, but I do not run it for the money. I do not even demand money from my customers and accept whatever they choose to pay me for cutting their hair or shaving their beard. I also do not accept money from people who are disabled and poor. I have two school-going children and my aim in life is to get better at playing nagaswaram. I dream of playing it on a big stage and entertain my audience.

Even though it has been more than two decades that I have been playing, there is still a lot to learn. I keep picking up tricks every now and then. Now, I am working on improving my team so that we are known across the country for our nagaswaram playing skills. I believe in myself and my team and I think that soon, my dream will come true.