I'm a layman type music observer specially of this classic versions but I'm good at observations pertaining to psyche. Sir Harishankar's playing is creation of life and it transcends matter. The way he speaks to his ganjira and make it respond...example of pure existence amongst cosmos...respects sir and rip.
Guru Karaikudi Mani used to lock himself into a room and practice 8 hours a day, that's the secret of his great speed and clarity, every akshara can be heard clearly even at the peak of his speed. He has dedicated his life for music and he is not married. The duo of Guru Karaikudi Mani and Shri G. Harishankar is awesome there are many others videos in which they have performed together. There are other maestros as well like Umayalpuram Sivaraman, Shri Patri Satish Kumar, Palakad Mani Iyer, N Ramakrishnan and so on, you should listen to their mridangam solos as well.
Prof SRJanakiraman sir is correct: The late Sri Harishankar was a genius. Karaikudi Mani Vidwan had so many collaborations with him. That's great news. I thank Aditya for posting this excellent video. Mridu angam at its best proving to us that it is the king of all percussions in this universe. PMI will be proud of Sri Mani. No other percussive instrument can match the versatility of mridangam making it in an exclusive class of itself. Narayanakurup Kanthi Kumar/Post Falls/Idaho/USA
நான் பிதுக்கோட்டையில் வாழ்ந்த காலத்தில் காரைக்குடி காலஞ்சென்ற ராமதாத அய்யர் தன் புதல்வர் மணி அவர்களை அழைத்துக்கொண்டு என் வீடு வருவார் என் அம்மா காலஞ்சென்ற சுப்பலக்ஷ்மி பாட்டிற்கு மணி அண்ணா பக்க வாத்யம் வாசித்தகாலம் ஒன்று உண்டு அப்போது அவருக்கு 16 17 வயது வணங்குகிறேன் இந்த லய மேதையை
Even mridangam giants like palghat mani iyer palani subramaniapillai ramnad murugaboopathy are not adorned with gurutitle why this special title to karaikudi mani alone
I think this title is because he has set a Bani (style) of his own to follow and is being followed by some mridanga vidwans. This is my humble opinion from the discussions which I have seen in some of the media interviews.
