Karnatic Lab Festival 2004
14, 15 and 16 May


B.V. Balasai & A.R. Ananthakrishna Sharma


B.V. Balasai

B.V.BALASAI, born in a family of rich musical tradition, is the son of B.Sudarsana Rao [Flautist]. Started his initial training at the age of 8 from his father, and later on took his gurukulam under the guidance of C.G.Venkatesh & Dr.Prapancham Sitaram. He is an "A" Grade artiste of the A.I.R. & Doordarshan.
As a soloist, he has performed for many prestigious sabhas and organisations all over the country. At an early age Balasai had the privilege of playing with great Mridangam stalwarts like Shri.Palghat Raghu, Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani, Shri.Vellore Ramabhadran, Shri.Guruvayur Dorai,Trichy Sankaran and Kamalakar Rao etc. He has also been featured in all the festivals of the leading media.
Balasai has been performing Duet concerts with Gottuvadyam a rare and unique instrument, without the usual accompaniment, the violin. This novel approach was the brain child of the Mridangam Maestro Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani. His multifaceted talents includes playing Hindustani Classical, the Western Classical Key flute, and association with the film industry for the past fifteen years.
He has released many Albums to his credit, to name a few, Nada Sangamam-Indu Musik Pancharathna krithis-Indu Musik Co., Divine Melodies-Indu Musik., Mohana Murali-Sangeetha Cassettes Co., Madhura Marutham-Sangeetha Co., Pushkaram-HMV. Baro Krishnaya-AVM., Dhyanam-HMV. His Fusion Albums include Living colours – Raintree records Vibrations, Divine Flute, Pavithram-Saican. [Canada] Twins CD with Finland Group NADA ., ALBA Records [Finland] Yakshas – Gandharva records.

Participated in many fusion music festivals both in India and abroad including THOUGHTS, PIECES FOR PEACE, & SATHYA MEVA JAYATHE under the banner of SRUTHI LAYA. The TAMPERE JAZZ HAPPENING INTERNATIONAL MODERN JAZZ FESTIVAL at FINLAND and with the AMERICAN JAZZ TRIO OF JAMIE-BAUM KEN WESSEL & JEROMIE HARRIS.
As a composer he has composed music and has done music direction for many dance ballets and devotional albums which include [Alchemyth, La bayadere for Manohar performing arts - Canada, The Quest for Baskara – Singapore and Devotional Albums [Swamiji – 60 for Avadhoota Datta Peetham – Mysore, Saraswathi Anthadi - Amutham music- Chennai, Harivillu & Samarpayami for Pranava music-USA] Anbaana Annaiku [ Uthsav Music ] and has also done music assistance to many reputed music directors.

He has travelled widely throughout the world. Two decades of performances includes numerous solo, duet and fusion concerts performed in India and abroad. Has travelled extensively to Russia, USA, Canada, U.K, France, participated in ICCR festivals with Dr.M.Balamuralikrishna. Performed duet concerts in Australia , Sweden Music Festival & Finland JAZZ Festival.
He has been awarded YUVA KALA BHARATHI by Bharat Kalachar and has been honoured as ASTHANA VIDWAN of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. Recently he has been awarded the title of VENUGANA VISHARADA by Sri Brahma Chaithanya Sri Rama Mandira Chintamani.
A versatile artist with a fine professional record on the platform, displaying the maturity, fluency and the power of a veteran, Balasai has inspired confidence in the hearts of music lovers who fear for the future of classical music.


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