After a hectic US
tour,
well-known percussionist Mr Sivamani, who has worked with
most of the big names
in the country?s music industry, including A
R Rehman, was in town for a
much-needed holiday. We caught up with
the spirited entertainer, who is
presently composing for Hollywood
action hero Steven Segal, chilling out at
Kovalam with his
family.
You
have just returned from a US tour. Why did you
choose Kerala for your holiday?
Kerala was mine and my
family?s first
choice. It is beautiful, sheltered, cool ? ideal for a
break.
What
do you think of Kerala as a tourism destination
for the world?
I travel extensively
to
perform and have met lots of foreigners who plan to visit
India. Many of them
know Kerala, are very enthusiastic about it
and consider it the most important
destination in South India.
What
do you think are Kerala?s
strengths?
I have visited Kerala many
times ; one of
my favourite places here is the Sabarimala. The people here
are
warm, courteous and helpful. Moreover, here, the hotels and
restaurants ? both
government and private - are maintained very
well.
Do
you think tourism in Kerala can look forward to a
bright future ?
Yes,
I am sure things will get better
and better. There are some problems ? like
for instance the roads
need to be improved ? but the problems with tourism
here are also
the problems everywhere else in the country.
