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CAREER  PROGRESSION ( 19…….. 2020 ) 

A torch bearer of the BenaresGharana , he has kept the Shehnai instrument alive through his disciplined pursuit of the legacy of Ustad BismillahKhan Saheb through his performances and training of students in both Instrumental and vocal music.

 

He has been instrumental in taking the Shehnai music to masses through interpretation of films compositions of generations of music directors like Maestro Naushad Ali, MellisaiMannar M. S. Viswanathan, Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and Oscar Winner A.R. Rahman in various indian films.

 

He has performed in classical concerts , in Jugalbandi (duets) , and in film music.

 

Listing of Nationally and Internationally important Classical Concerts :

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Early on his career - he single-handedly played shehnai in the All India Music Conference held at Dharwad in 1975, in the presence of PanditBhimsenJoshi ,Vidushi Smt. Gangubai Hangal & other eminent artists where he gave an outstanding shehnai performance and received standing ovation in the conference.  Unlike vocal performing solo on a word instrument like Shehnai is a real feat. 

 

He has also performed in many Jugalbandhi concerts with Hindustani & Carnatic senior musicians like Padma Bushan Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt (Mohan Veena), Ustad ShahidParvez Khan (sitar), Pt Atul Kumar Upadhaya (violin), Ustad Shafique - Rafique Khan (sitar), Vidwan G J R Krishnan (violin) and on tabla accompanied by Pandit YogeshSamsi, Pandit Subhankar Banerjee, Pandit RavindraYavagal, Pandit Raghunath Nakod, Pandit Vijay Gathe and with Drummer Sivamani , Drummer Ranjit Barot. He has also performed in India as well as many other countries.

 

Pt Ballesh is also a renowned playback singer. He sang many Hindustani alaaps in the songs, background score for films and had also sang several songs along with noted singers like K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki, P. Susheela, Smt. Vani Jayaram,  S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Maestro Ilayaraaja, GK. Venkatesh, M.M. Keeravani, Hamsalekha and A.R. Rahman, He has sung and played shehnai for more than 10,000 background-score's and 45,000 film songs and around 50,000 devotional songs. He has also sung Hindustani music Alaaps for films and had also collaborated Shehnai with  International musicians in recordings.

 

TAKING THE SHEHNAI TO A GLOBAL AUDIENCE :

Pt.Ballesh has extensively travelled in India and Abroad. His concert tours have included countries like United States of America, South Africa, United Kingdom, Australia,  Canada, France, Belgium, Russia, Dubai, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Germany,  Srilanka, Switzerland, Netherlands, Indonesia, Philippines and many more countries over a span of 48years. On several occasions he has been invited and sponsored by government music festivals. 

On several occasions he has been invited or sponsored by government music festivals. He had collaborated Shehnai with Hungarian musicians in several recordings

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