Ghatam Maestro Sukanya Ramgopal | Photo Credit: Kk Najeeb
When Sukanya Ramgopal walked on the drum scene five decades ago, she not just ghatam, she had a defiance of society, gravel and will break the barriers.
Today, the legends on the National Percussion of the Thrissur festival, smiles with grace and quiet fire. “Of course there was hostility,” he says. “Percussion is considered a male domain. But here I am, more than 50 years later.”
“Too fine fingers”
Sukanya is the first woman to play Ghatam professionally in the Carnatian tradition. Her entry into the field was not easy. Even her guru, the legendary Vinayakram, hesitated. “He said my fingers were too fine for Ghatam. I was 12. But by 13, but I switched from Mridangam to Ghatam by 13 months. I got out at small concerts in six months.”
However, the real point of turnover came when she was around 26. At a renowned concert, Mridangam player refused to play with his wife. “I was broken,” he recalls. “The moment burned. But it also lit fire. If the door did not open, I would build my own scene, I thought.” And she did it boldly.
Ghatam transformation
In 1993, Sukanya broke the Convention with “Ghata Tharang”, a revolutionary concept where she played six to seven Ghatams tuned to various playgrounds. She transformed a modest, supportive Ghatam into a solo powerhouse, and had rarely heard a melodic voice before.
She doubled next year in her vision, which started Stree Tarang, the first Indian drum set of all women. It was not just a powerful group; It was a protest in the rhythm, a celebration of female art, which dared to resist deeply controlled space.
“I wanted to pull Ghatam out of the shadows, from the edges and place it in the center,” he says. And she did. The audience throughout India and abroad gave her permanent ovations, applauding for every complex pattern of Swaro. Recognition was poured. But even today he emphasizes that the field remains a male fortress. “Few women deal with drums. Opportunities are rare, recognition even more rare.”
“Art above the barriers”
Her message aspiring percussionists is clear: “There may still be a stigma. You can be pushed aside. But you have to carve your own niche. Don’t wait in place, create it.”
Art, as they believe, must rise above the barriers. “There should be no discrimination, no gender, caste, religion or color in art. The soul of art is humanity.”
Published – July 12, 2025 20:42
