Profile
Vidwan Thanjavur K. Murugaboopathi is one of the leading mridangam players of today. His technique and creative ability in accompaniment, solo renditions, and jugalbandhi collaborations with his North Indian brethren have earned him critical acclaim around the world. Hailing from a family of musicians and artists, Sri Murugaboopathi had his initial training from Vidwan Sri T R Srinivasan. He later trained in the rare gurukula tradition (of living with one’s guru) for more than ten years with the Mridagnam maestro Sri Tanjore Upendran.
Sri Murugaboopathi regularly plays with virtuosos in Carnatic music, including Sri M. Balamuralikrishna, Sri T. V. Sankaranarayanan, Sri T. N. Seshagopalan, Sri P.S. Narayanswamy, and others. Prominent instrumentalists include Dr. N. Ramani, Sri V.V. Subramaniam, Mandolin Sri U. Srinivas, and others. He has also collaborated with several Hindustani musicians including Ustad Sultan Khan, Ustad Shahid Parvez, and Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt.
Sri Murugaboopathi travels extensively to USA, UK, Europe, the Middle East, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. He has performed in several prestigious venues, including the United Nations in New York City, USA and Royal Albert Hall in London, UK.
Additionally, he has conducted educational outreach programs though lecture demonstrations, music conferences, and seminars. Sri Murugaboopathi has also been instrumental in providing support, direction, and guidance to several arts organizations and young artists in Asia, Europe, Australia and North America. Sri Murgaboopathi has been honored with many awards, including the Kalaimamani Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu, Best Artiste Award and the Pazhani Subramania Pillai Award from the Music Academy in Chennai, India.