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Kalaimamani  Dr. KRISHNA BALLESH

"Kalaimamani" Dr. Krishna Ballesh Bhajantri (born 5 November 1982) is an Indian Shehnai player, Hindustani vocalist of the Patiala Gharana, Playback singer-musician, Ghazal and Sufi - Qawaali singer. He is Akashwani All India Radio and Doordarshan “B. High"  Grade Hindustani Classical Shehnai/Vocalist Artist. He played the shehnai duet in 2014, for the Hollywood film, "The Hundred-Foot Journey" for the “India Calling” track along with his father. In 2023, He has collaborated with a music composer, singer, and director T.Rajendhar for the song "Vande Vande Maataram" in Tamil, Hindi, and Indian languages .


Krishna is honored with the Kalaimamani Award 2020, The Highest Civilian State Award given by the Government of Tamilnadu by Honorable Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Andhra Pradesh Government honored SriKalahasti Asthana Vidwan Title 2006, in Srikalahasti Temple, Chittoor, AP.

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Personal Details

A native of Bailur, Belgaum, Karnataka, India

A resident of Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Hindustani classical music

Instrumentalist - Shehnai

Vocalist - Classical, Ghazal, and Light Music

Akashwani All India Radio and Doordarshan “B. High" Grade Hindustani Classical Shehnai/Vocalist Artist.                                                 

Education

B.E (Computer Science )  from Anna University, Dr.M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute

Sangeet Alankar from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya,

Bachelor's and Master’s Degree from Indira Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, Khairagarh, MP, India. 

Sangeet Praveen and Sangeet Prabhakar from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, India.

Honorary Doctorate , D.Litt., (Honoris Cause) by The International Tamil University USA

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Musical Heritage

Shehnai

Krishna’s first gurus were his grandfather Shri. Sanna Bharamanna Gawai, and Uncle Basappa Bhajantri .  His father, Pandit Dr. S. Ballesh, senior disciple of Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan sahib,  then opened doors for him to train under the Shehnai virtuoso at Benares.

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Vocal

His father Pt. Ballesh was his first guru, and subsequently, he honed his art under Guru Kothand Salunkhe Maharaj and Pt. Puttaraja Gawai, Patiala Gharana ,  at Veereshwar Punyashrama. Subsequently , he received training in Kirana, Gwalior, Beneras and presently learning and performing Rampur - Sahaswan gharana under Padmashri Ustad Rashid Khan saab & different gurus.

 

Notable concerts - Vocal  & Shehnai

Shri Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan , Jalandhar, Punjab

Delhi Classical Music Festival, Sahitya  Kala Parishad, Delhi

Ganga Mahotsav, UP  Govt., Benaras

Kasi- Vishwanath Festival - Benares

Tansen Sangeet Samaroha , Bhopal

Shehnai Mahotsav  , Bharat Bhavan , Bhopal

Sawai Gandharav Bhimsen Mahostav , Pune

Sur Singar Sansad Sangit Sammellan, Mumbai

Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur Sangeet Utsav , Dharwad

Smt.Gangubhai Hanagal Sangeet Sammellan,Hubli

Ganayogi Panchakshari Gavayi Sangeet Sammellan , Gadag

Pandit Kumar Gandharv SangeetSammellan, Belgaum

Spirit of Unity Concert, Tirupati

Pt. Motiram -Pt. Maniram Music festival - Ernakulam

Gaanayogi Swar Utsav - 2020, Dharwad

 

Notable Jugalbandi performances

He has played Shehnai alongside many senior artistes like Shri. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Ustad Shaid Parvez Khan, Shri. Ronu Majumdar, Shri. Atul Kumar Upadhyay, Rafique & Shafique Khan along with Pt.S. Ballesh and was blessed to have the accompaniment of seniors like Yogesh  Samsi, Ravindra Yavagal, and Subhankar Banerjee.

 

Accompanied Hindustani Vocals with his Guruji Ustad Rashid Khan Sahab in many concerts, notably :

Bombay Barkha Ritu , Ustad Rashid Khan , Banyan Tree

Chennai ‘Aadi Anant' Music Fest , Organised by Citi and NCPA

Jalsa - Music for the Soul’, Art and Artistes , Kozhikode , Kerala

Splendor of Master's, Ustad Rashid Khan in Chennai

The Hindu Nov Fest, Chennai, Hyderabad -  Naad Ninaad , Jugalbandi of Ustad Rashid Khan and Sitar Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan

Bengaluru ‘Aadi Anant' Music Fest , Organised by NCPA.

 

Fusion, Folk  & Popular Music

Krishna has performed with playback singer and music composer A. R. Reihana for "Indian Fusion Music Festival", held in Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, Maryland, United States of America &

In 2019 he performed in Malayasia with music composer A. R. Reihana for Sufi and Film music festival held in Malacca.

 

Film Music

Krishna has played Shehnai for many Indian composers including maestro Ilaiyaraaja and Oscar winner A. R. Rahman in several Indian movies. He has played shehnai duet in the 2014 Hollywood movie, The Hundred-Foot Journey for the track titled “India Calling” along with his father.

 

Contribution to Hindustani Sangeet

Co Founder : Tansen Academy of Music

To propagate the legacy of his Gurus’ Ustad Bismillah Khan Shehnai & Pt. Puttaraja Gawai, he co founded Tansen Academy of Music in Chennai along with his father for promoting Hindustani music and shehnai.The institute has over 1000 students who learn classical music - Vocal, Tabla, Sitar, Flute and Shehnai

 

Ras Barse Utsav- in commemoration of Guru Ustad Bismillah Khan , is his brainchild . An annual music festival, it's a vibrant platform to promote Hindustani classical music in Chennai and South. The Ustad Bismillah Khan Kala Puraskar and Yuva Kala Puraskar is conferred on this occasion.

 

Awards/Recognition Received

Sur Mani Award By Sur Singar Sansad (Bombay)

Sangit Yuva Kala Ratna (Kalarasana Academy) (Chennai)

Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Yuva Puraskar, (Gadag)

Pt Sidram Jadhav and Pt Chidanand Jadhav Yuva Puraskar, (Solapur)

Sangeet Yuva Kala Ratna Award By Sur Sagar Academy

Bhajan Samarat By Kashi Math (Chennai)

Kala Bharathi Award By Kashi Viswanatha Organisation

Shehnai Kala Ratna, Kittur Rani Chennamma Ustav Samiti

Sitar Nawaz Ustad Ahmed Hussain Khan Yuva Kala Puraskar (Chennai)

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Website

www.krishnaballesh.com,

www.tansenacademy.com,

Contact: +91 98842 95357

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