Should Umayalpuram Sivaraman Receive the Bharat Ratna? A Call for Recognizing India’s Percussionists

CPI(M) leader M.A. Baby has made a powerful appeal for the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, to be bestowed upon the legendary percussionist Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman. This call to action highlights the lack of national recognition given to India’s remarkable percussion artists, who contribute so richly to the country’s musical heritage.

A Lifetime of Rhythmic Brilliance

Umayalpuram Sivaraman is a name synonymous with mridangam mastery. His decades-long career has seen him accompany some of the biggest names in Carnatic music. Baby’s appeal seeks to acknowledge not only Sivaraman’s individual brilliance but also the immense contribution of percussionists to the world of Indian classical music.

A Need for Greater Recognition

The suggestion of a Bharat Ratna for Sivaraman opens a larger conversation about the recognition given to artists in different fields. While vocalists and instrumentalists often receive prestigious awards, percussionists, who form the rhythmic backbone of Indian music, are often overlooked. This call for the Bharat Ratna serves as a plea to recognize the integral role of percussion in India’s vibrant cultural landscape.