Shri Nagai Narayanan was born in a family of musicians and had his initial training in music from his mother Smt. N S Rajam one of the first female mridangist.His journey with mridangam and the world of rhythm started at the tender age of 8. He later trained under the able guidance of Mridangam Srimushnam Shri V Rajarao from the year 1978 to 1985.
He has played mridangam for many artists including starwalts like Dr. N Ramani, Thiruchoor Ramachandran, Charumathi Ramachandran, Bhushani Kalyanaraman, Bombay Jayashree, flute R Tyagarajan, Shri Neyveli Santhana Gopalan, Flute Swaminathan, He has also played a concert for Padmashree Dr. M Balamuralikrishna.
He has also been an integral part of many dance performances by playing along for Dr Padma Subramaniam, Shri V P Dhananjayan and Smt Shantha Dahnanjayan, Mrs. Meenakshi Chtaranjan, Dr. Saraswathi, Shri Narasimhachari, Smt. Indira Rajan, Smt. K J Sarasa, Ms. Swarnamalya, Ms. Narthaki Natraj.
Has accompanied mridangam for the students Smt Uma Anand for close 20 years now.
He is now under intensive training from Guru Shri Karaikudi R Mani.
He has a “B High” grade from the A I R and has dedicated himself to teaching and performing the art of rhythm both nattuvangam and mridangam for the past 30 years.