Remembering Palghat Raghu

Abstract

Palghat Raghu was a master of the mridangam and one of the leading figures in South Indian Carnatic music. In this article, I want to contribute a perspective on his musical life and, through my reflections on my time with him, contribute insights toward a fuller understanding of Carnatic music and Western engagements with it. I do so by drawing on fieldwork I conducted in Chennai, India, at various times between 2005–2013. Specifically, I use examples of solkattu from my lessons with him to illustrate Raghu's approach to rhythm and the general rhythmic approach within Carnatic music, including the kinds of musical-cognitive skills involved in rhythmic production within the Carnatic system. By describing aspects of his practice and his various interactions with other musicians, I also reflect on his position as a culture-bearer and on the relationships between musical cultures.