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" Kalaimamani " Dr. KRISHNA BALLESH BHAJANTRI, Co-Founder & Director

               Kalaimamani Awardee (Dr.) Krishna Ballesh Bhajantri, son and disciple of Padmashri Awardee, Kalaimamani, Karnataka Kalashri Pandit (Dr.) S. Ballesh Bhajantri, Grandson of Hindustani vocalist and ShehnaiSamrat Pandit Sanna Bharamappa Bhajantri. He is a disciple of world-renowned Shehnai maestro Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan and Hindustani Classical Vocalist Padmashri Ustad Rashid Khan Sahab and also from Padmashri Pandit M. Venkatesh Kumar (Guru-Bandhu of Pt. Balleshji). Krishna is an adopted son of YashBharathi Ustad Nazim Hussain Bismillah Khan (younger son of Ustad Bismillah Khan) and is treated as another grandson of Khan saheb.

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   An Akashwani AIR " B - High " Grade Classical Hindustani Shehnai Artist and Hindustani Vocalist with specialization in Patiala Gharanas and also trained in Kirana, Gwalior Gharanas, Rampur Sahaswana Gharana and also a Ghazal Singer. He performs at all major music festivals in India and Abroad. Proudly, he is also a Software Engineer. Krishna and his father played Duet Shehnai Piece in the Hollywood film 'The Hundred-Foot Journey 2014"  for the Track-titled India Calling.

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" International Repute Shehnai Player " 

" Hindustani Classical Vocalist, Playback Singer - Musician " 

" Thumri, Qawwali - Sufi, Ghazal & Bhajan Singer "

State Award:

Kalaimamani Award 2020, The Tamil Nadu State's Highest Civilian Award, Andhra Pradesh Government honored him with Srikalahasti Aasthana Vidwan Award in 2006, India Tourism Varanasi, Government of India conferred Ustad Bismillah Khan KalaRatna Samman 2021 Award in Benaras by Ustad Bismillah Khan's family members.

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He also received Surmani Puraskar, Shehnai Ratna, Bhajan Samrat, Pt Bhimsen Joshi Yuva Kala Puraskar, Yuva Kalavikas Puraskar, Sundari Samarat Yuva Kala Puraskar.​

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Government invites performing Vocal and Shehnai:

  • The Government of India, Ministry of Culture, invited Pandit Ballesh and his son Dr. Krishna Ballesh to Sangeet Sangam International Music Festival in 2021 (Senior Musicians) organized by Kendra Sangeet Natak Akademi, Delhi. 

  • India Tourism Varanasi, Government of India, and Ustad Bismillah Khan's family members invited Krishna Ballesh to perform for the 105th Ustad Bismillah Khan Birth Anniversary in Banaras for Sabrang Utsav, along with Deepika Cultural Society of India, Varanasi.

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Krishnaji did his Sangeet Alankar from Gandharav Mahavidyalaya, Bachelor's and Master’s Degree from Indira Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, Khairagarh, MP, India. He completed his Sangeet Praveen and Sangeet Prabhakar from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, India. He has played Shehnai for many Indian Composers, including Mellisai Manner MS. Viswanathan, Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, and Oscar Winner AR. Rahman and Bahubali MM. Keeravani. He is also playing for upcoming film Composers of India and is singing for many Background Scores, Devotional, and Private Albums. Krishna was conferred with "The Honorary Doctorate" D.Litt., (Honoris Cause).

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