Anantha R Krishnan

Anantha Krishnan is a versatile Mridangam artist who is active in both Indian classical music and global collaborative projects. Growing up in a family where rhythm and melody were always present, his first mridangam lessons came from his uncle after he continued his journey under the caring guidance of his grandfather, the legendary Palghat R. Raghu, who helped him to understand a deep connection with the instrument. Along the way, he also learned tabla from Ustad Zakir Hussain and studied Western music and electronic sound, helping him explore rhythm from different perspectives. 

He began performing on stage while still very young and quickly became appreciated for his clear sound, confident playing, and imaginative use of rhythm. He collaborated with many well-known musicians throughout India, which brought him international opportunities, including invitations to perform at major cultural events such as Millennium celebrations in Berlin and the New Jazz Meeting in Germany. He toured with Rudresh Mahanthappa's group Samdhi, playing at well-known stages such as the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam and Carnegie Hall in New York. He also took part in the Grammy-nominated project Miles from India, which brought Indian classical music together with jazz. 

Anantha has contributed to important national events such as the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and the National Games in India. Alongside his performance career, he continues to share his knowledge as a percussion faculty member at A.R. Rahman's KM Music Conservatory in Chennai.