Arjun Verma, an accomplished Indian-American sitarist and composer, has enjoyed a prolific career spanning over three decades. His musical journey has taken him to top venues worldwide, such as the United Nations in Geneva, the Fillmore in San Francisco, Fox Theater in Oakland, and Prague Castle in Prague, to name a few. Through these performances, Arjun has carved out a distinctive niche within the realm of sitar music, blending the rich traditions of North Indian Classical Music with innovative cross-genre collaborations.
From a young age, Arjun was immersed in the world of North Indian Classical Music, learning the sitar from his father, internationally renowned sitarist Roop Verma, who was a disciple of legends Ali Akbar Khan and Ravi Shankar. His teenage years were marked by a deep inspiration drawn from sarod maestro Ali Akbar Khan, prompting him to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area for eight years of direct tutelage under Khan. After Khan’s passing in 2009, Arjun continued his training under Khan’s son, Alam Khan, and also received guidance from Smt. Annapurna Devi.
As a musician belonging to the Maihar Gharana, Arjun’s sitar skill is firmly rooted in the music of Ali Akbar Khan. He has further developed innovative sitar techniques inspired by Khan’s style, while also incorporating elements from his early apprenticeship with his father, Roop Verma. This amalgamation of influences results in a style that encompasses both deep introspection and exhilarating facets of Indian Music.
Arjun’s musical journey began at the tender age of seven, and his performances have graced audiences in the United States, Europe, and India. Notably, he has shared the stage with luminaries such as Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri, Sri Alam Khan, Pandit Sharda Sahai, and even ventured into cross-genre collaborations with artists like Bob Weir, Salar Nader, George Brooks, and others.
His talent has garnered attention from dignitaries like former United Nations Secretary General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali and spiritual leader Morari Bapu. Arjun’s commitment to his craft has been recognized through various grants, including a Mosaic Silicon Valley commissioning grant, a Creative Work Fund grant, and a Shenson Fellowship.
In 2022, Arjun’s musical journey took an exciting turn as he collaborated with the London Symphony Orchestra and an international ensemble of musicians, contributing as a featured soloist for the soundtrack of “Genshin Impact – Sumeru.” Additionally, he played a pivotal role as the featured sitar soloist in the world premieres of notable compositions such as “River of Light,” “Shalimar the Clown,” and his very own “Bach in Bengal.”
Beyond his virtuosity as a sitarist, Arjun is a skilled composer, having composed commissioned works for documentary films, operas, and live performing arts. He has also arranged numerous Indian classical music pieces for ensembles, encompassing both Indian and non-Indian instrumentation.
In 2021, Arjun released a solo album titled Epiphanies, a deeply personal exploration of his relationship with the sitar and Indian classical music. This groundbreaking album was recorded using cutting-edge studio technology, setting a new standard for the sonic quality of the sitar.
Arjun’s musical journey has extended into the realms of jazz, with recordings alongside GRAMMY-winning jazz arranger and pianist John Beasley, as well as contributions to Disney television.
In 2023, Arjun collaborated with Alam Khan on a spellbinding crossover album titled The Resonance Between, rooted in Indian and European classical music. This innovative work, created in collaboration with composer Jack Perla, embraces both South Asian and Western musical influences, reflecting the search for identity as multi-ethnic musicians.
In addition to his performing career, Arjun generously imparts his knowledge by teaching sitar and North Indian Classical Music at the Ali Akbar College of Music and the East-West School of Music.
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.