Why does a percussionist sit to the right side of the main artist in Indian Classical Music Concerts?

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Here’s an answer I wrote on Quora for the question

“Why does in Carnatic concerts, the Mruthangam player sits on the right side of the vocalist? Is there any reason in accompanist's sitting position?”

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This is not limited to Carnatic concerts but also in the Hindustani classical music space, the tabla player always sits to the right of the main artist.

Usually there are 3 artists - one main (singer/main instrument); one percussionist on the right and one supporting melody (violin or harmonium) on the left of the main artist. Also worth noting that both support artists sit at a right angle (90 degrees) to the main artists (they never directly face the audience). This sitting arrangement creates a visual symmetry that is not jarring on the eyes.

As a musician, I can say this with some authority that most musicians feel the need to have some intermittent eye contact with the percussionist, during the performance, just to ensure everyone is in sync and not out of beat.

Traditionally it’s the “main artist” (the one in the center) who is performing for the audience. The other two artists are accompanying/supporting the main artist by providing rhythm and melody support. Hence, they do not look at the audience.

Percussions are a fundamental framework within which the main artist must perform and it seems naturally easy to glance to one’s right side to stay on the beat.

Even our instruments such as Veena, Sitar, Sarod, Violin are designed to be played such that the LEFT hand plays the notes and the RIGHT HAND strums or moved the bow(violin). For that matter even the flute is played such that the orientation is right facing.

Given that most artists always maintain some type of eye contact with the percussionist so that they are both in sync, it is just easier to glance to the right side.

I am a tabla player and I always sit to the right side of my main artist for this reason.

Link to quora post:

https://lnkd.in/gStAQQET

 #music #artist #musicians #taalmagic #percussion