Mridangam maestro brings out 'palliative' CD

The 'palliative CD' called 'Relax with Rhythm' was released by Principal Secretary to Prime Minister T K A Nair by handing it over to P K Biju, MP, in New Delhi recently. Defence Minister A K Antony felicitated Ramakrishnan on the occasion.
The 37-year-old Ramakrishnan said his personal tragedy of seeing pain and suffering of his sister Prabha a few years back while battling cancer prompted him to do something for thousands of persons undergoing treatment for major ailments in hospitals in India and abroad.

"When my sister was battling for life, I tried to console her by playing mridangam, perhaps the best percussion instrument that can produce the softest rhythms, he told PTI.
After his sister's death, he used to visit hospitals whenever he had time to bring some cheer to patients, he said. Doctors have said the musical therapy often helped normalise blood pressure and relax the minds of even the most tense patient. This made him to think of bringing a CD, he said.

Ramakrishnan is holder of four Guinness records, including one for the longest hand drum marathon for his 501 hour performance from July 5 to 26 conducted at a private hospital in Ottappalam in Kerala's Palakkad district.

Recipient of several honours, he is also a painter, lyricist and teacher.