From the Wings

Natarajan Sigamani is a senior violin accompanist for Bharatanatyam. Unassuming and quietly creative, he is driven by his passion to excel. Rich in musicality, his violin accompaniment is an asset to the dance orchestra. Bharatanatyam is indeed enriched by musicians of his calibre. This versatile violinist believes that Bharatanatyam is as much a part of his life as Carnatic music.

- Anjana Anand

Did music run in your family?

My father Sangeeta Bhushanam Alandur S. Natarajan was the brother of Sangita Kalanidhi Dr. S. Ramanathan. He was a professional violinist and worked at the Music College, Chennai and at Kalakshetra. Even as a child I observed my father’s playing for Bharatanatyam programmes and was attracted to it. He was my first guru and I later learnt violin from K.T. Sivaganesh who exposed me to different fingering and bowing techniques which came in handy as an accompanist for Bharatanatayam.

Which musicians have inspired you?

M.S. Gopalakrishnan, T.N. Krishnan, Lalgudi Jayaraman, N. Rajam and Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna.

Who were the artists you accompanied early in your career?

In 1985, I started accompanying for Prabha Nagarajan. Some of my early performances were for Udupi Lakshminarayana, S.K. Kameswaran, M. Swaminathan, K.J. Sarasa, Vyjayantimala Bali and Uma Anand. Seetarama Sarma introduced me to Malavika Sarukkai for whom I played the violin for 17 long years. My musical association with Priyadarsini Govind also goes back several years.

I was exposed to the beautiful music of natyacharyas like Tanjavur Kitappa Pillai, S.K. Rajaratnam Pillai and Pandanallur Subbarayya Pillai. These experiences were milestones in my musical journey.

The memorable productions you have been involved in?

In 1994, I was part of the team of Jaya Jaya Devi composed by Lalgudi G. Jayaraman and choreographed by Rhadha. More than the performance opportunity, it was a learning experience for me to work under the guidance of the maestro. Rhadha is also one of the senior artists to have encouraged me.