While traveling in Texas this spring, Ben sat with a previous teacher from UNT: Poovalur Sriji.  Sriji specializes in the Indian drum mrindangam, which he began studying at a young age.  At UNT he teaches a course that introduces Indian music traditions to students, culminating in a concert of new compositions created throughout the course.

We really enjoyed chatting with Sriji, and would love to chat with him again soon.

Topics: Indian music, thoughts on teaching, "Are you too Hard on Yourself?" from mindful - the "should," "shouldn't," and "perfectionism"

Watch here. Listen below.

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0:00 Intro and hello

1:21 South Indian Course and Bridge Ensemble

11:44 Sriji’s musical training, math, and early career

20:04 Indian music in the U.S.

23:11 Laurel: the word “should,” “shouldn’t,” and “perfectionism”

38:37 Emotional attachment to student successes

55:18 Megan’s experience playing on an A.R. Rahman concert in Chennai, India

1:01:37 Cross cultural experiences / Dave Brubeck and Joe Morello in India in 1958

1:06:10 Wrap