Listening to ghatam player Vikku Vinayakram accompanying M.S. Subbulakshmi in a concert in the United Nations (UN), noted Tamil writer Kothamangalam Subbu said music emanating from the sand of Tamil Nadu had reverberated in the UN.
He used to and continues to use ghatams made in Manamadurai in Sivaganga district, and Meenakshi Ammal, who made the instruments for Mr. Vinayakram, died on Tuesday.
All ghatam players have bought the instrument from Meenakshi Ammal, whose family has been making the ghatam for over four generations. A winner of the President’s award in 2014, she is survived by her son Ramesh, who is also a ghatam maker.
Mr. Vinayakram said he had been buying ghatam from the family of Meenakshi Ammal for many years. “She knew the secret of making the best instrument and taught it to her son Ramesh. I used the instrument made by the family and it led to Kothamangalam Subbu making the comment on the UN concert,” he said.
Mr. Ramesh said his mother learnt the techniques of ghatam-making by working closely with his grandfather Vellaisamy and his father Kesavan.
“She is a diabetic and was taking rest after making ghatam. Suddenly, she collapsed,” he said, recalling her last moments. Only the sand available in Manamadurai is suitable for making the instrument. A mixture of four types of sands is used for making ghatam. Graphite and senthuram are also mixed with the clay to add strength.
Earlier, the ghatam was baked in a clay furnace. More recently, the family invested in a mega electric oven, specially designed for the purpose.
Mr. Ramesh said all the ghatam players personally visit Manamadurai to select the instrument of their choice.