M.K.S. Siva, well known as "Mambalam" Siva, was born in the year 1951 to the
Late Shri. M.K. Swaminathan a great Nadaswaram artiste himself. Siva started handling the Nadaswaram from the tender age of ten and learnt it in the traditional way from his father. He also learnt classical vocal music from Shri. Kalakkadu Ramanarayanan Iyer. He is performing for the past 12 years in Sabhas, Temples, Festivals and in marriages. He was designated as an "A" grade artiste in the year 1979 at the All India Radio. He has also performed in the National Programme of Music and also in many other programmes.

For the past 15 years he has been serving God at the ancient Shiva Vishnu Temple, T.Nagar, Chennai, by playing Nadaswaram during the prayers. He also plays at the Tirumala Tirupati Devastanam during special prayers. He has been awarded many titles including "Madhurandha Visharada", "Nadalayasura Vishradha", "Nadasware Ezhilisai Thingal", "Nadaswara Sikamani", "Nadakkanal" and "Kalaimamani". He has performed all over India and has travelled far and wide. He had a performance tour in USA and Sri Lanka for over a month. He has also released many audiocassettes under famous banners like HMV, Sangeetha, etc. He has given excellent performance in the "Vadyalahari" group along with Kumari Kanyakumari and other great artistes.

To share his talents and to keep this art alive, he has trained more than fifty students and they are performing at present. Notably, one of his students Mr. William Sketton is now a Professor of Music in USA. His brother M.K.S. Natarajan is also a Nadaswaram artiste and they used to perform together almost in all the programmes. They have given a wide variety of presentations in Hindustani and Carnatic music with this ancient wind instrument.

"Nadaswaram" is one of the ancient musical instruments and has got a remarkable place in history. Till today, according to the South Indian Culture, every programme or function has to begin by playing this instrument. But unfortunately, nowadays, this instrument comes into the picture only for a few minutes. Artistes playing this great instrument are not given due importance. This instrument requires a lot of stamina to give a performance for even an hour. Usually this instrument is played along with another percussion instrument called "Tavil". Siva feels proud that this is the only instrument that can be played in a hall or a concert without a mike. It is capable of producing a thundering sound. Then throughout the festival this is never played again or never given a slot, whereas all the other instruments like Violin, Flute, Mridangam, etc., are played almost every day during the season.

Though being an "A" grade artiste in the All India Radio, he feels that when there is a staff artiste for all other instruments, they have never appointed a staff artiste for Nadaswaram in AIR. When a vocalist is paid around Rs. 4000 per month by the temple trust, these Nadaswaram players are paid only around Rs.1500 per month. If this condition prevails, the day when only tapes can produce this sound is not far behind.

S. Suresh Ark Commercials

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