Artist Profiles: K. Sridhar

Two music traditions co-exist in India, that of the North (Hindustani) and of the South (Carnatic). They share the same basic systems but differ greatly in the instruments used, by the Ragas played, and by the concept of musical expression. It is very rare for musicians to master both traditions; Sridhar has done so.

Krishnamurti Sridhar was, from very early childhood, initiated into the Carnatic (southern Indian) music tradition by his mother, a descendant of twelve generations of musicians including Narasimha Bhagavater, a master of Carnatic music in Tanjore. From the age of five Sridhar was the student of Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar of the Dagar School, the foremost master of the rudra veena and specialist in the traditionally classical and devotional Dhrupad Dhamar style of the North.

The sarod is an instrument of great complexity and few musicians choose to play it. Sridhar’s study of Hundustani music was long, rigorous and disciplined, in the old style of learning. There are no pupils learning this way now in India.

At the age of 14 Sridhar became the youngest member of Ravi Shankar’s orchestral group. At 25 he was granted the honorary title “Sur Mani” (Sky Jewel) at the famous festival of Kal-Ke-Kalakar in Bombay.

Sridhar started touring out of India in 1982. He has given hundreds of concerts throughout Europe, the Near and Far East. He has conducted seminars in Indian music and has forged exciting links with musicians of various disciplines, jazz, flamenco, Arabic, African, Iranian and European classical.

He has made several recordings and has composed numerous soundtracks for films including “Meher Baba, the Awakener” and the “Franco Indian Documentary” which received the “Jean Vigo Award.” In his recording, “Arab Path to India,” Sridhar explored the profound connection between Persia and India’s musical roots.

For the past ten years, Sridhar has traveled the world performing in such diverse locales as Canada, the United States of America, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Israel, Scandinavia, France, Germany Holland, Spain and Italy. He has played at several WOMAD concerts in Britain and abroad and has been featured on Irish, British, French Television and American Public Radio.

Currently Sridhar divides his time between India, Europe, and the USA continuing to perform and teach.

Discography:

Nadanjali (Auvidis, 1990)
Arab Path to India (WOMAD Select, 1996)
Ragas Madhukauns and Piloo (Amigo Musik, 1999)
Ocean of Sound (Eight Gates Music, 1999)
Arabandi (Naada Records, 1999)
Ocean of Sound, Vol. 2 (Eight Gates Music, 2001)
Live in Frankfurt 82 (Country and Eastern, 2007)
Rare Ragas and Talas (Naada Yoga Productions, 2008)
Food for the Soul (Naada Yoga Productions, 2008)
Swaranjali (Naada Yoga Productions, 2008)
Ocean of Peace 2012, (Naada Yoga Productions, 2012)

DVDs:

Live at Duke (Eight Gates Music, 2006)
Rassanjali (Naada Yoga Productions, 2010)

Author: Angel Romero

Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.