Shri. PRAKASH BALLESH
Shri. Prakash Ballesh, Son and Disciple of Hindustani Vocalist and Shehnai Maestro Pandit Dr.S. Ballesh, Prakash Ballesh is General Secretary of Tansen Academy of Music Chennai (R) (Taan Institute).
He is done his Sangit Alankar from Akhila Bharatha Gandharava Mahavidyalaya and He has finished his Vidwath Anthim from Karnataka State Govt Music Exam and B. Music and M. Music from Karnataka University.
Prakash had his initial Hindustani Classical Music training from his grandfather Pandit Sanna Bharamanna and at 7 years old he started his musical training, learning Hindustani vocal Kirana gharana from the Late Pandit Dr. DP. Hiremath of M.K Hubli for nearly 10yrs.
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Prakash is one of the early disciples of Pandit M.Venkatesh Kumar of Dharwad (Gwalior-Kirana Gharana Style), Later, He learnt Patiala Gharana Khayal Gayaki from his father Pandit S. Ballesh. Prakash is inspired by Voice culture and Gayaki Ang of Guruji Ustad Rashid Khan Sahab. Now presently, Under Ustadji's blessings.
Currently Prakash ballesh is guru of nearly 150students in chennai teaching Hindustani music. Prakash learnt the nuances of Tabla from Table Nawaz Ustad Nazim Hussain, son of Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan. He multi skilled artiste playing Shehnai, Harmonium, Tabla, Dukkad (Banarasi Drums). He has accompanied his father Pandit S. Ballesh in many concerts with Vocal support and accompanied Harmonium for vocal concerts and also Dukkad (Banarasi Drums) for Shehnai concerts.
Having all these multi skills, he very much specializes in teaching. His way of making his pupils understand the foundation of music is unique and makes a very comfortable learning. He rigorously trains his students by making them sing toughest of alankars, a basic vocal exercise that creates a strong understanding about swaras and improves voice culture. He never discourages a student and makes even a non-singer into a trained singer. He follows a systematic approach by making the students take each step without any fear about music. He has received many honors and awards to his credits.
Notable concerts - Vocal & Shehnai
Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahostav , Pune
Shri Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan , Jalandhar, Punjab
Delhi Classical Music Festival, Sahitya Kala Parishad, Delhi
Ganga Mahotsav, UP Govt., Benaras
Kashi- Vishwanath Festival - Benares
Tansen Sangeet Samaroh , Bhopal
Shehnai Mahotsav , Bharat Bhavan , Bhopal
Sur Singar Sansad Sangit Sammellan , Mumbai
Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur Sangeet Utsav , Dharwad
Smt. Gangubhai Hangal Sangeet Sammellan , Hubli
Ganayogi Panchakshari Gavayi Sangeet Sammellan , Gadag
Pandit Kumar Gandharv Sangeet Sammellan , Belgaum
Spirit of Unity Concert , Tirupati
Pt. Motiram - Pt. Maniram Music festival , Ernakulam , Hyderabad
Gaanayogi Swar Utsav , 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 Malaysia with music composer A. R. Reihana for Sufi and Film music festivals 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 500 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.