Anandan Sivamani, known to his fans as just Sivamani, is an electrifying performer and one of the leading drummers of India. His work blends classical drumming styles -- he studied with Carnatic master S.P. Balasubramaniam -- with jazz and world beats to create a propulsive sound that pulls in many instruments and traditions.

As a child, he says, he drummed on pots and pans in the kitchen, and that exuberance seems never to have left him -- he's an enthusiastic ambassador for the drum around india and the globe, and a frequent collaborator. A few notable matchups: Youssou N'Dour, tabla player Zakir Hussain, flutist Hariprasad Chaurasia, percussionist Elvin Jones, and A.R. Rahman, composer of Bombay Dreams. Last winter, he released his first solo album, Mahaleela, playing with a rotating team of singers and bandmates on a roster of songs he composed.