While the erstwhile composite Thanjavur district, now divided into many districts, according to late vocalist Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer remained a “forest of nagaswaram and thavil players”, Chennai, too, produced many talents in this field.
While nagaswaram and thavil players of Thanjavur belong to the Isai Vellalar community, the Chennai musicians are from the Maruthuvar community. A calendar for 2024 produced by Parivadini — an organisation committed to promotion of nagaswaram and thavil — highlights the sociological aspect of music. It has featured 12 nagaswaram and thavil players from Chennai.
