Name: Giridhar Udupa
Nationality: Indian
Occupation: Composer, improviser, ghatam player
Current release: Giridhar Udupa's new album My Name is Giridhar Udupa is out via 7k!

Tool of Creation: The Ghatam
Type of Tool: Percussion instrument
Country of origin: Indian subcontinent
Became available: c. 500 CE

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For a deeper dive, read our earlier Giridhar Udupa interview.  



How would you describe your own relationship with your instrument – is it an extension of your self/body, a partner and companion, a creative catalyst, a challenge to be overcome, something else entirely?

The Ghatam is a traditional South Indian percussion instrument, and its name literally means ‘pot’ in Sanskrit, one of the oldest languages in the world. While it may look like a pot, the Ghatam is actually a heavy, thick vessel made from different kinds of clay.

What makes the Ghatam truly special to me is its connection to nature and the elements. The Ghatam is made using the Pancha Bhutas, or five essential elements: Earth (prithvi), Fire (agni), Water (jalam), Air (vayu), and Space (akash). Earth is mixed with salt-free rainwater, baked in fire, and shaped with air during the drying and temperature control process. The space within the pot contributes to the sound, making the Ghatam not only eco-friendly but also deeply connected to nature.

When I play the Ghatam, it’s a very physical and immersive experience. It’s placed on my lap, between my bent legs, with the mouth facing me. I use my hands, fingers, thumbs, palms, and even the heels of my hands to strike its surface, producing a wide range of tones and sounds. The unique shape of the Ghatam allows me to explore different pitches and tones by striking various parts of the instrument. Sometimes, I turn the Ghatam so the mouth faces the audience, playing on the neck of the pot for a different resonance.

What truly sets the Ghatam apart from other percussion instruments is its simplicity and its versatility. Unlike many other instruments, it has no extra fittings or appendages. It’s a single body, a seamless combination of the mouth, a slanting portion, and the rounded lower half. The size and shape of the Ghatam impact the pitch, with larger ones producing lower notes and smaller ones producing higher ones.

For me, the Ghatam is not just an instrument, it’s an extension of myself. It requires full engagement from all ten fingers, and every phrase can be played in multiple ways, with an endless range of possibilities.

In short, it's one of the simplest and humblest instruments in the world!