— Welcome, I'm Tashrika
About me
I am a Percussionist, Composer, Educator and Entrepreneur.
#MyLife = #MyMusic
I am one of the few South African leading, female classical Percussionist, Composer, Educator and Entrepreneur in Mridangam, Ghatam, Tabla, and Khanjira.
My Story
#DarbarBeats
Kumari Tashrika Naidoo is a graduate in Mridangam of the Guru Manpundia Pillai Sangeetha Ashram. Her passion lies in music and it is her purpose in life to share her musical experiences.
Tashrika’s love for music started at a tender age of 5 years, under the tutelage of the late Vidwan Shri Shiva Padiachi (South Africa). He was the inspiration of her musical journey and through music she discovered spirituality.
As a distinguished soloist and collaborator, Tashrika’s performances span a wide spectrum of styles and contexts. She has acquired a tremendous amount of experience collaborating with various artists and musicians and performing on different platforms.
Her performance offerings range from traditional Indian classical concerts to new collaborative performances with devotional, orchestras, jazz ensembles, western contemporary, african fusion, bharathanatyam accompaniment, and global musicians. Each performance booking is tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of the event.
Honoring my Guru's
Om Sri Gurubhyo Namah Hari Om
Salutation to all the Gurus or the entire Guru Parampara
- GururBrahma GururVishnu GururDevo Maheshwaraha
- Guru Saakshaat ParaBrahma Tasmai Sri Gurave Namaha
Meaning:
- Guru is the Creator (Brahma), Guru is the Preserver(Vishnu), Guru Deva is Destroyer(Maheshwara).
- Guru is the absolute (singular) Lord himself, Salutations to that Sri Guru.
Meaning of the words:
Guru: Dispeller of Darkness; Gu=Darkness, Ru=Remover
Brahma: Creator; Personification of Creating Quality of God
Vishnu: Preserver; Personification of Preserving quality of God
Deva: God
Maheshwara: Destroyer; Personification of Destroying Quality of God
Saakshaat: Self/ Himself
ParaBrahma: He who is the highest Lord; Consciousness
Tasmai: To him/ To such
Sri: Holy, splendorous
Namaha: Salutations
Shri Shiva Padaichi
A leading musician in the field of Carnatic music in South Africa, Shri Shiva Padaichi began learning music at an early age from his father, the late Shri Vella Padiachi, the founder of the Ranjeni Orchestra in Transvaal (Gauteng).
In 1984, Shri Shiva advanced his knowledge of Carnatic music through tutorship from his brother Shri Rajan Padiachi, who is the head of the Guru Manpundia Pillay Sangeetha Ashram.
In 1986 Shri Shiva took leadership of the Ranjeni Orchestra after the sudden death of his father. In 1992, Shri Shiva went to India and studied the Kanjira and Mridangam under Vidwan M. N. Kandaswami. In addition, he studied the violin under the maestro V. Thyagarajan.
Guru Siva had carved a niche for himself as one of South Africa’s most versatile musicians and won the hearts of many music lovers playing the violin, saxophone, harmonium, and various other instruments.
He played extensively around the country, collaborating with musicians from various genres of music. However, he always maintained the integrity and beauty of Indian classical music.
Shri Rajan Padiachi
Shri Rajan Padiachi started learning music at the age of 7 from his father. His heart’s desire was to go to India and study music.
In 1981, Shri Rajan studied under the late Mridangam and Kanjira Vidwan, M. N. Kandaswami, who was the chief disciple of Guru Palani Subramaniam Pillai. Sri Kandaswami taught Sri Rajan Mridagam, Gatam, Kanjira, Morsing and Konnokol.
Shri Rajan then studied Carnatic vocals under Vidwan Chengleput Ranganthan. He also had a unique opportunity of taking extra tuition in vocal, violin and musicology from Dwaram Mangathayaru. Sri Rajan was also gifted to have studied rare compositions and music theory from Smt. Savithri Rajan a disciple of the great Veena Dhanammal.
Returning to South Africa, Guru Rajan started a music Ashram in 1983 called the “GURU MANPUNDIA PILLAI SANGEETA ASHRAM”
Guru Rajan is a fully fledged musicologist and teaches music theory, music and a researcher into ancient Indian music. He has lectured at Wits University Centre for Continuing Education and has performed extensively in SA and with International Musicians.
In 1996 Guru Rajan founded the Swami Paramahansa Yogananda Ashram where he teaches Kriya Yoga, meditation, pranayama, philosophy, and Hinduism.
Student Reviews
Jai Sai Ram
I'm honoured to learn from such a talented percussionists and Guru with over 19 years experience.
