Tue Apr 01 09:16:23 UTC 2025: ## Chennai-Based Musician Documents India’s Historic Pianos
**Chennai, April 1, 2025** – Mirra Kannan, a 29-year-old conservator based in Edinburgh, is on a mission to document India’s aging acoustic pianos, viewing them as “living, breathing beings” that resonate with both music and history. Her project, “Resonant Legacies,” is part of a broader initiative exploring sound.
Kannan’s fascination with pianos began three years ago after encountering the Pianodrome in Scotland – an amphitheatre built from upcycled pianos. This spurred her to apprentice under a piano technician, reigniting a childhood interest sparked by observing her family’s piano tuner.
Her project involves photographing and recording the instruments, noting details such as brand and serial number. She has already documented 15 pianos in Chennai, including those at the Taj Connemara, Musée Musical, and the KM Music Conservatory, where she helped restore a 111-year-old Steinway grand piano. The project has even garnered attention from AR Rahman, who commented on her Instagram post featuring the Steinway.
Kannan’s work extends beyond mere documentation; she also aims to highlight the often-overlooked contributions of piano technicians, whom she considers vital to preserving these historical instruments. She plans to expand her research to hill stations like Kodaikanal and Darjeeling, hoping to uncover more hidden musical treasures. Anyone with information about old pianos in India can contact her at mirra.k9@gmail.com.
First Piper 