Arjun Kumar

Arjun Kumar is a mridangam artist rooted in the Carnatic percussion tradition, trained within a strong familial and guru-based lineage. Initiated into mridangam playing at the age of five by his father, Sri Arjunan, he later trained under Sri T. A. S. Mani before entering advanced tutelage with Padmavibhushan Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr. Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman. He is associated with the ‘Sivaraman baani’ and is among a limited group of left-handed mridangam performers.

Arjun Kumar began performing publicly at a very young age and was soon accompanying established musicians. A Government of India scholarship supported his early development, leading to a sustained career across major Indian classical music platforms. As an A-Top graded artist of All India Radio, Bangalore, he has performed in prestigious broadcasts such as the National Programme of Music, South Zone Hook-Up concerts, and AIR Sangeetha Sammelan.

His concert activity spans performances with three generations of Carnatic musicians, appearances at leading sabhas and music festivals in India, and extensive international tours across the USA, UK, Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition to Carnatic concerts, he has participated in jugalbandhis and collaborative performances with other musical forms. Arjun Kumar has contributed to several commercial recordings, leads the ensemble Swaralayasammelana, and is actively involved in teaching. He also serves as the president and managing trustee of Anubhooti, an organization dedicated to the promotion of Indian traditional arts and cultural heritage.