Ganesh Murali Iyer: The Ghatam Artist Bringing Indian Rhythm to Ed Sheeran’s Global Album

The ghatam, a humble clay pot used in Carnatic music, rarely finds itself in international recording studios. But Ganesh Murali Iyer, a young percussionist rooted in classical tradition, has changed that narrative. His rhythms on Ed Sheeran’s latest viral album Play have introduced millions worldwide to the sound of an instrument that feels both earthy and futuristic. For Ganesh, the journey began not in pursuit of fame but in devotion to rhythm itself. The Call That Changed EverythingThe collaboration almost sounds like a story scripted for cinema. Abhishek Patil, then Head of A&R at Warner Music India, connected Ganesh with Ed Sheeran’s team. Within a week, Ganesh found himself on a flight to Goa, walking into a studio filled with some of the world’s best musicians. “It was truly special; I had never even dared dream of this, or put something like this on my bucket list,” he recalls. What started as a brief session turned into a transformational experience, both personally and musically. The result? Grooves that blended seamlessly with Sheeran’s pop sensibilities while retaining the soul of the ghatam.What is the Ghatam?The ghatam is one of the oldest percussion instruments in South India, primarily used in Carnatic classical music. Made from a specially baked clay pot often strengthened with brass or copper filings it produces a deep, resonant sound. Unlike drums with stretched membranes, the ghatam has no skin covering; instead, its music comes from striking the outer surface with fingers, palms, thumbs, and sometimes even elbows. This allows musicians to create a wide variety of tones, from sharp, metallic beats to soft, bass-like sounds. Its versatility has made it a favorite in both traditional concerts and modern fusion music, proving that rhythm truly has no boundaries.Ganesh insists that adapting the ghatam to contemporary music wasn’t difficult.This adaptability comes from years of exploration. Inspired initially by Carnatic stalwarts like Dr. Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman and Vikku Vinayakram, Ganesh went on to experiment with jazz legends like Duke Ellington and Bill Evans and even imagined how the ghatam could converse with hip-hop icons like Eminem and Kendrick Lamar. The clay pot, often dismissed as too “regional,” revealed itself to be one of the most universal instruments.Tradition Without CompromiseEven as Ganesh experiments with jazz, pop, and hip-hop influences, his respect for classical foundations remains unshaken. For him, tradition is not a rigid structure but a living entity. He believes classical music survives and thrives not by standing still, but by embracing change and allowing new expressions to flow through it. He often compares it to a tree; its roots must remain deep and strong, but its branches must spread wide to grow and contribute to the forest. In the same way, classical musicians, he argues, should adapt to fresh sounds and contexts while staying grounded in their heritage. Ganesh rejects the idea that innovation means betraying tradition. To him, blending the ghatam with a pop guitar riff or a digital synth is not dilution; it is evolution. The clay pot, with its earthy resonance, doesn’t lose its identity when played in new settings. Instead, it discovers fresh ways of being heard, carrying its ancient soul into contemporary soundscapes.A Circle of Young InnovatorsGanesh is not alone in this journey. He points to fellow musicians such as Ishaan Ghosh (tabla), Yadnesh Raika (violin), Mehtab Ali Niazi (sitar), Vivek Pandya (tabla), Kishore Ramesh (mridangam), and Sumanth Manjunath (violin) as peers who are pushing boundaries while staying rooted. The internet has given rhythm a global stage of its own. Konnakol, the art of vocal percussion, was relatively unknown outside India until percussionist B.C. Manjunath popularized it online with his Fibonacci sequence rhythms. Today, millions watch such videos on YouTube and Instagram, mesmerized by the complexity of South Indian rhythm.The ghatam, made of clay, represents earthiness and simplicity. When their beats blend with Sheeran’s global pop, they remind listeners that music is, at its core, about shared human experience.The Road AheadGanesh Murali Iyer’s success is not just personal; it signals a broader future where Carnatic percussion finds a home in playlists across the world. His collaboration with Sheeran proves that Indian instruments don’t need to remain confined to tradition; they can thrive on global stages without losing authenticity. As rhythm continues to travel across borders, Ganesh stands as a reminder that the future of music is not about East meeting West, but about finding the universal heartbeat that connects us all. By placing a clay pot at the center of a global pop album, he shows us that rhythm is timeless, ageless, and borderless.