Ganesh Rajagopalan was born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh in 1964. He is an acclaimed Indian classical violinist, vocalist, composer, and teacher, whose career spans over five decades.
Known for his remarkable technique and virtuosity, he began performing at the young age of seven, achieving his 100th stage appearance before age ten. He toured with brother Kumaresh as part of the violin duo Ganesh and Kumaresh.
Over the years, he has toured globally, gracing prestigious venues such as Queen Elizabeth Hall, Royal Festival Hall in London, Chicago Symphony Center, and Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Additionally, he has worked with renowned artists like Ustad Zakir Hussain and John McLaughlin’s Shakti band, further establishing his international reputation.
Transitioning from a child prodigy to a seasoned artist, Ganesh has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the ‘Kalaimamani’ award, the ‘Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar,’ and the prestigious ‘Illayaraja Prize.’ His innovative contributions to music are noteworthy, introducing the concept of “Ragapravaham” and “Swara Yoga,” which have enriched the traditional music format and brought new respectability to the art form.
In addition to his performance career, Ganesh has made significant contributions to music education. He has conducted workshops and masterclasses at esteemed institutions such as Princeton, Stanford, and Portland State University. Moreover, he established music schools in Portland (Oregon), and Seattle, creating a comprehensive syllabus for these institutions. His dedication to education is further evidenced by his founding of the ‘Temple of Music,’ a non-profit organization that promotes music education and appreciation through various programs.
Ganesh’s musical talent is not confined to live performances. He has composed new ragas, including Mohanasri, Amrutha Kalyan, Sheila Sri, and Pamara Ranjani. His creativity extends to numerous Varnams, Thillanas, and Kruthis, as well as setting tunes for lyrics by great composers. He has also released notable compositions and thematic presentations like “Shadjam,” “Aksharam,” and “Gruha,” and has scored music for award-winning films and documentaries such as ‘Dance Like a Man’ and ‘Lessons in Forgetting.’
Over the years, Ganesh has performed at major festivals including the Sawai Gandharva Festival in Pune, Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival, and Tansen Samaroh in Bhopal. His collaborations extend to dance productions like ‘Savithri’ for Nrithya Gram and ‘Maya Ravan’ with Shobana Chandrakumar. Moreover, he has worked with eminent music directors such as A.R. Rahman, Ilayaraja, and Vishal Bhardwaj on various projects, showcasing his versatility across different musical genres.
Currently, Ganesh Rajagopalan continues to explore new musical avenues while nurturing the next generation of musicians through his teaching and innovative projects. He is focused on establishing an institution aimed at achieving professional excellence in vocal and instrumental music. His belief in the universal appeal of music drives him to break traditional boundaries, merging classical Indian music with contemporary styles to create a global musical language.
Ganesh Rajagopalan’s collaboration, “Yugma,” recorded at Tacoma’s Lagerquist Concert Hall with conductor Christophe Chagnard and the Northwest Sinfonietta, presented his original composition “Hamsadwani Ragapravaham.” This piece combines the revered southern Indian raga Hamsadwani with Rajagopalan’s innovative Carnatic music form, reflecting the project’s East-West fusion essence.
Rajagopalan envisioned this orchestral arrangement during the pandemic, leading to a successful collaboration with Chagnard and support from various friends and institutions. Chagnard, a Grammy-nominated conductor and co-founder of the Northwest Sinfonietta, praised the project for its challenge and unique fusion of Indian and Western musical traditions, enabled by the ensemble’s intimate yet powerful configuration.
Partial discography:
Ganesh & Kumaresh (The Gramophone Company Of India Ltd., 1986)
Vasantham (Sruthilaya, 1998)
Samarpanam (Sruthilaya, 1999)
Streams in Confluence – Swar Utsav – Live in Concert at India Gate (Music Today, 2002)
Shantham (Sruthilaya, 2002)
Dance Like A Man (Music Today, 2004)
Together (AVM Audio, 2004)
Sundaram (Beauty) (Sense World Music, 2005)
Carnatic Chills (Ganesh-Kumaresh’s Newage Violin Exotica) (Saregama, 2007)
Adhrishta, with Debashish Bhattacharya (Ninaad, 2011)
This Moment, with Shakti (Abstract Logix, 2023)
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.