Sessions
The Universe in a Pot | Sumana Chandrashekar and Saitejas Chandrashekar
The pot in its various forms is the most common musical instrument in India. Cutting across all musical genres, the ghatam has spoken the musical language of the common people as well as expert drummers. Mystics, poets and saints spanning many centuries and regions have extensively used the metaphor of the clay pot to talk about the fragility of the human body and the enormous possibilities of human existence.
In this performance titled The Universe in a Pot, musicians Sumana and Saitejas bring together a sonic and a lyrical experience centred around the simple clay pot. The performance takes the audience on a musical journey that blends together the diverse soundscapes that are possible on this simple yet powerful instrument, along with songs, stories and poetry of the mystics that celebrate the pot.
Song of the Clay Pot
Sumana Chandrashekar with Sadhana Rao
Sounds, Body and Rhythms
Sumana Chandrasekar
Bio
Sumana Chandrashekar is a ghatam player, author and researcher and a long time student of Carnatic vocal music. She has performed extensively, has worked on several experimental and collaborative music projects and projects in music education. She has travelled widely in India and has worked closely with artists and artist communities. Her book Song of the Clay Pot came out in 2025.