Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Ramkumar Kanakarajan, better known to the music world as Kanaxx. As one of India’s most prolific and versatile drummers, Kanaxx’s journey is a masterclass in staying grounded while playing at the highest level. From peeking through a hole in a brick wall in Besant Nagar to watch legends like Sivamani and S. Murali Krishnan, to sharing stages with Sean Roldan, Ganesh Kumaresh, and the Raghu Dixit Project, Kanaxx has seen it all. In this candid c...

Send us a text Join us on Stage Matters as we sit down with Tenma—composer, bass player, and the driving force behind Chennai's most vital musical movements. From his beginnings in a Pursavakkam church choir, soaking up jazz and the sounds of Anglo-Indian string players who worked with Ilaiyaraaja, Tenma’s journey is a powerful exploration of music as both an art form and a political act. In this deep-dive conversation, Tenma shares: The Bass Awakening: How picking up a Yamaha bass for a scho...

Send us a text In a truly unique and introspective conversation, writer, producer, and lyricist Siva Ananth (Ponniyin Selvan, Madras Talkies) joins Aravind to dissect the very nature of performance, blending personal history with deep philosophical insight. From a nervous four-year-old on stage to his seasoned perspective on a film set, Siva explores his "complex relationship" with performance, attention, and the fundamental shift facing artists today. Stage vs. Screen: Football vs. Cricket: ...

Send us a text This episode of Stage Matters features a fascinating conversation with Karthick Iyer, the highly accomplished violinist and founder of the popular band, IndoSoul. Karthik offers a deep dive into the complex world of professional performance, detailing his journey from a traditional Carnatic musician to an international showman and, ultimately, a music entrepreneur. Key Discussion Points: The Performer's Evolution: Karthik outlines the distinct phases of his performing life, fro...

Send us a text Join us for a captivating conversation with guitarist and composer Shylu Ravindran, known for his powerful work with the contemporary fusion band Jattayu. Shylu opens up about his extraordinary transition from being a prodigious Carnatic mridangam player—the son of a legendary vidwan—to becoming a groundbreaking Carnatic-influenced electric guitarist. In this episode, Shylu shares: Life Before and After Guitar: How the stage shifted from being a "second home" (with the mridanga...

Send us a text Join us on Stage Matters as we welcome Chennai's stand-up comedy sensation, Aravind SA. While his stage presence is magnetic, Aravind reveals that his career was a complete accident, rooted not in confidence or wit, but in a profound sense of insecurity, desperation, and a relentless need to be heard. In this deep-dive conversation, Aravind details the surprising mechanism behind his success: The Power of Anxiety: Discover how his "perennially anxious and dissatisfied" personal...

Send us a text Join us for a fascinating conversation with veteran Front of House (FOH) Sound Engineer, Sean Bout, as he takes us behind the console of major live performances. With over 30 years in the industry, Sean shares invaluable insights, starting from his roots in college rock bands to his current role managing sound for top artists in the Indian and Tamil music scene. In this episode, you'll hear about: FOH vs. Monitors: Sean clearly explains the critical differences between the Fron...

Send us a text Join us on Stage Matters as we sit down with Sahib Singh, the bandleader and frontman of the instrumental powerhouse Jatayu. In this candid conversation, Saib details his 15-year evolution in performance, starting with a hilariously accidental debut simply to bunk class . Sahib takes us beyond the notes, discussing how he conquered stage fright by building a bold onstage persona and the profound shift from focusing on technical perfection to achieving internal freedom while pla...

Send us a text Stage Matters: Beyond the Classical - A Conversation with Padmini Join us on Stage Matters for a fascinating chat with Padmini Chettur, a leading contemporary dancer and choreographer. In a genre-bending episode, Padmini takes us from her early training in Bharatanatyam and her eye-opening time at BITS Pilani to becoming a dedicated full-time artist. She details the decade she spent under the mentorship of the legendary Chandralekha, a period that fundamentally shaped her belie...

Send us a text Performing isn't just about technique—it's about presence. Our guest Hrday Sunil shares a powerful, honest look at their evolution from an anxious introvert who dreaded the spotlight to an artist who actively feeds off the crowd. We explore the profound difference between the perfectionism of the studio and the fleeting, beautiful "compromise" of live music. They detail the practicalities of gig life, the importance of systematic troubleshooting over frustration, and the one pi...

Send us a text Podcast Episode Description: The Inner Game of Performance: From Stage Fright to Shoonya Carnatic artist Ranjini offers a deeply personal and reflective look at what it truly takes to step onto the stage, blending the rigor of sport and engineering with the art of musical expression. In this episode, Ranjini details her evolution from an uninhibited child artist to an introspective professional, exploring the constant "tussle" between the personal space of creation and the publ...

Send us a text In this episode of Stage Matters, we sit down with Sanjeev T.—a powerhouse guitarist, composer, and music director known for his work with icons like A. R. Rahman and Sid Sriram. Sanjeev dives deep into the philosophy of live performance, sharing insights from his journey from being a young Bee Gees fan to a global touring musician. He discusses how his understanding of performance has evolved from raw expression to a complex mix of diplomacy and science when sharing the stage ...

Send us a text In this episode, we dive into the life of the "new breed" of musicians who successfully juggle full-time professional careers with demanding, successful gigging schedules. Our guest is Pranav Krishnan, an established bass player on the scene. Pranav shares his evolution from an aspiring guitarist inspired by Eddie Van Halen to a committed bassist, and how his understanding of performance has shifted from mere technical skill to captivating "showmanship." He gets into the prac...

Send us a text In this captivating episode, host Aravind speaks with musician and performer Sharanya about her lifelong journey on the stage. From her beginnings as a child prodigy to her current understanding of performance as a soul-searching and spiritual experience, Sharanya offers a fascinating look at the evolution of an artist. She shares her unique perspective on the intersection of skill and spirituality in performance, referencing a powerful Theiyum ritual that transformed her view ...

Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Lakshmi and Kiran, the dynamic duo behind the commercial band Yaazhi and a popular rehearsal space in Chennai. They share their journey from aspiring musicians to professional performers, offering a candid look into what it takes to run a successful function band. Lakshmi and Kiran discuss their personal musical awakenings and how their understanding of performance has evolved from simply playing notes to becoming true entertainers. They reveal...

Send us a text In this episode of "Stage Matters," Bharath Narayan, a talented Carnatic vocalist and whistler, delves into the world of live performance. The episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the dedication and meticulous preparation required for a successful Carnatic music concert. Bharath shares his journey, from being inspired by his musician parents and icons like Vidwan Abhishek Raghuram, to evolving into a seasoned performer. The conversation explores the complex process of con...

Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with actor, host, and entrepreneur Anu Hasan to discuss her multifaceted career and the often-unseen struggles of a life in the spotlight. Anu shares her deeply personal journey with performance anxiety, a feeling she grapples with before every talk show but never with acting. She reveals her unique preparation strategies, from rehearsing public speeches while walking to creating flexible outlines for interviews that allow for spontaneous conversa...

Send us a text On this episode of Stage Matters, host Aravind welcomes his bandmate and friend, saxophonist and composer Maarten Visser, for a captivating conversation about the art of performance. Maarten takes us on a journey from his childhood in Holland, to his evolution as an artist. Maarten opens up about moving beyond the need to impress with technical skill and finding his personal truth in music. He shares his meticulous preparation process for a show, highlighting the importance of ...

Send us a text In this compelling episode, music producer GVV steps out of the studio and onto the stage, sharing his journey from a behind-the-scenes creator to a live performer. For years, GVV's music lived in the digital realm, a solitary process where he'd release songs without knowing "who's hearing or who is hearing." He candidly discusses the "eye-opener" moment when he experienced the raw energy of a live crowd and felt truly "alive." This discovery, fueled by a desire to break out of...

Send us a text In this episode of "Stage Matters," host Aravind sits down with Srikkanth Natarajan, a concert promoter, event organizer, and artist manager, to discuss the often-overlooked side of the live music industry. Srikkanth shares his journey from being a music lover with a knack for organizing to becoming a key player in the Chennai scene. He delves into the "magical" experience of live performances and how his understanding of music has evolved to appreciate both technicality and ar...