M Balachandar

M. Balachandar is a Carnatic mridangam player and educator affiliated with The Bhavan in London, where he is active as a teacher and performer. His work combines concert performance with structured pedagogy in mridangam.

He is known for his focus on Laya Vinyasam (rhythmic patterns) and for using systematic, formula-based methods to help students progress from foundational playing to performance-level understanding. His teaching emphasizes rhythm comprehension, composition of patterns, and practical application in concerts.

As a performer, he has accompanied senior musicians, including Ravi Shankar and M. Balamuralikrishna, contributing to classical concert settings that feature cross-instrumental collaboration.

He comes from a musical background, with his father, M. Krishnan, being a mridangam artist and lecturer, and earlier family involvement connected to percussion and instrument knowledge. This lineage has informed both his performance practice and teaching approach.

His ongoing work includes training students, supporting Carnatic music education abroad, and participating in concert accompaniment.