Abijith Ponnarassery Sugathan, a Kerala-born drummer and lead percussionist now settled in Loughton, UK, is embarking on an audacious musical journey. He has introduced MAANIMEC, a rhythm-driven project designed to bridge percussion traditions from around the world, inviting both intrigue and critical reflection within the global music community.
In his newly released pre-intro video, Abijith showcases an eclectic mix of instruments seldom seen together:
• Chenda – Kerala, India
• Djembe – West Africa
• Darbuka – Middle East & North Africa
• Conga & Bongo – Afro-Cuban
• Timbales – Cuba
• Modern Drum Kit & Rhythm Pads – Western contemporary
• DDJ-FLX4 Controller – Japan, symbolizing DJ and electronic culture
Rather than treating percussion as a background foundation, Abijith places it at the heart of the narrative. Rooted in South Indian rhythmic training while also shaped by modern drumming and DJ practice, he uses MAANIMEC to question long-held assumptions about how cultures collide, merge, and express themselves through rhythm.
Yet the project raises important artistic dilemmas:
Can age-old instruments maintain their cultural essence when fused?
Is rhythm alone enough to spark meaningful intercultural conversation?
And can a single artist represent multiple traditions without oversimplifying them?
Some purists may see the attempt as overly daring or potentially compromising authenticity. Others believe such boundary-pushing experiments are vital for musical evolution. Abijith seems aware of this tension, framing MAANIMEC not as a polished hybrid but as an ongoing, exploratory process.
The pre-intro video acts less as a finished product and more as a declaration of intent. It marks the beginning of a long-term creative journey where rhythm is used not merely for performance, but as a medium for cultural storytelling.
Whether MAANIMEC becomes a major global platform or remains an evolving artistic pursuit, Abijith’s work undeniably contributes a bold new perspective to the UK’s multicultural music landscape.
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