Dr. Suresh Vaidyanathan is a globally acclaimed Ghatam virtuoso and multi-percussionist, admired worldwide for his innovative approach to Indian percussion. He is renowned for creating unique playing techniques and aesthetics, blending the two authentic schools of Ghatam, "Pazhani Bhani" and "Umayalpuram Bhani," into a dynamic and energetic style. Dr. Suresh has revolutionized the art of playing the Indian clay pot percussion instrument by integrating it with various world music genres, and he has dedicated himself to teaching the nuances of South Indian percussion through Ghatam, Mridangam, Kanjira and Konnakol across the globe.

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Mentored by illustrious gurus such as Kalaimamani T. R. Harihara Sarma, Grammy winner Vikku Vinayakaram, Padmabhushan Awardee, Sangita Kalanidhi  Dr. T. V. Gopalakrishnan and Kalaimamani Umayalpuram Narayanaswami Iyer. Dr. Suresh has gained profound knowledge and technical mastery over Indian rhythm and melody. He has also got trained in Carnatic vocal music under Guru Sri P. S. Thyagarajan.

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In addition to his artistic achievements, Dr. Suresh holds a Master’s degree in both Commerce and Music, a Diploma in Sanskrit, and is the first Ghatam Vidwan to earn a Doctorate in Rhythmology from the University of Madras for his research on the "Evolution of Ghatam through the Ages." He has shared the stage with musical legends such as Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, S. Balachander, Balamurali Krishna, Madurai Somasundaram, T V Gopalakrishnan, Lalgudi Jayaraman,  M S Gopalakrishnan, T K Murthy,  Palghat Raghu, Umayalpuram Sivaraman, Trichy Sankaran, Karaikudi Mani, Zakir Hussain, Bikram Ghosh, Pete Lockett, Zohar Fresco and many more celebrated musicians of  the non-Indian genres in many parts of the world. Notably, he recorded for pop legend Paul Simon on the album “So Beautiful or So What!”

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Besides his performances, Dr. Suresh is a prolific composer, arranger, conductor and poet in Tamil. He leads the Indian ensemble mRittikA and the Indo-European jazz band NANDI. A recipient of numerous awards and honours, he also holds a Guinness World Record for his Ghatam performance for the music for healing and meditation of H.H. Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji of Avadhoota Datta Peetham.

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Dr Suresh regularly dedicates time to teach special children and the underprivileged, various percussion instruments. He initiated the project “Unheard Music” to train the hearing impaired children as a percussion ensemble and presented them in the Inclusive festivals in Bengaluru and Chennai.