Indian Classical Music Maestros
Indian classical music dates back to the period 200 BCE and 200 CE when Sage Bharata composed the Natyashastra, the holy book of Indian music composers and dancers. From the temples and courtrooms of the emperors, today, the amphitheatres of the world resound with the melody and euphony of classical musical instruments. The epitome of the gorgeous and resplendent culture of India, the music has left the world hypnotized.
In honour of some of the majestic names in Indian classical music.
Bade Ghulam Ali Khan
He is the true epitome of the 20th century Hindustani classical music tradition. Often fondly called the "Tansen of the 20th century", this music maestro is known for his unique style that he created by blending the best of classical music. His style had a sparkling melodic quality that leaves his audience spellbound even to this day.
Ustad Zakir Hussain
Son of the legendary tabla player Alla Rakha, Ustad Zakir Hussain has received the music in his heritage. He is considered the chief architect of the contemporary world music movement and founded the historic collaboration which produced highly appreciated and Grammy awarded 'Planet Drum' with Mickey Hart.
Pandit Ravi Shankar
The name is not unknown to any music lover around the globe! Pandit Ravi Shankar is credited to bridge the gap between the west and the east through his melodious tunes of his Sitar. His long and distinguished musical career includes numerous recordings, performances at all the world's leading venues and a series of unprecedented collaboration with other leading musicians of the world. In 1999, Shankar was awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna. Today, his legacy is continued by his daughter Anushka Shankar, a maestro in her own right.
Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia
A world renowned exponent of the bansuri or flute, he is one of the few classical musicians who expanded the peripheries of classical music by making it accessible to the common masses. He has been honoured with several awards of which the most prominent ones are the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award of India, and the distinction of Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) of France.
Ustad Bismillah Khan
The musical instrument shehnai is synonymous with the music maestro Bismillah Khan. Infact, the unknown instrument earned the reputation and glory at the world stage due to his musical rendering. For his simplicity, creativity and mastery in the art, Khan was bestowed with the title of 'Ustad' and earned many accolades including the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of india.
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
A distinguished maestro in the field of playing Sarod, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is popularly known as the "Sarod Samrat". He is the sixth generation Sarod player in his renowned family. The credit of modifying the Sarod as a classical instrument goes to his ancestors of the Bangash lineage originating from Senia Bangash School of Music. And the legacy continues with his equally talented sons, Amaan and Amaan. Ustad Amjad Ali Khan has been performing internationally since the 1960s. in the year 2001, the Indian government conferred on him the Padma Vibhusha award, country's second highest civilian honor.
Shiv Kumar Sharma
The santoor is essentially a folk instrument that originated in the Kashmir Valley, which was given the status of a classical instrument due to the persistent efforts of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma. His mesmerising music is enough to give his audience a transcendental experience.
M S Subbulakshmi
The legendary Carnatic musician is known as the Nightingale of India. Her music has an irreplaceable influence over classical musicians spanning across age, gender and borders. The universal and the eternal quality of her musical oeuvre has immortalise her in the world of Indian classical music. Her rendering of bhajans (devotional songs) was divine and used to enthrall and transfix listeners, and transport them into a different world.
Dr. Balamurlikrishna
One of the most distinguished names in the Classical Carnatic Music is that of Dr. Balamuralikrishna. Characteristic of Balamuralikrishna's musical journey has been his non-conformism, the spirit of experimentation and boundless creativity. This legendary musician and Padmabhushan awardee is an able composer, singer, poet and instrumentalist. He was also made Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Government in 2005.
Sri Lalgudi Jayarama Iyer
When it comes to rendering Carnatic music on a Violin, the legendary Sri Lalgudi Jayarama Iyer has no parallel match. His proficiency over this instrument and his own individual style has unfailingly had an enchanting effect on his audience. Perhaps nothing less could be expected out of a disciple who has received rigorous training under his father, Late VR Gopala, who himself was the remarkable disciple of the great saint musician Thyagaraja.