Dr. Ravindra Gururaj Katoti
...exploring new horizons
US Tour 2020
Bijapure Harmonium Foundation, Bengaluru
in association withLearnquest Academy Boston MA
presentsHarmonium Solo Concert Tour
Accompanied by Dr. Pt. Udayraj Karpur on Tabla
The Tour features:
- Hindustani Classical Recital
- Light Classical Recital
- Devotional Recital (Kannada, Hindi and Marathi)
- Natyasangeet Recital (Kannada, Marathi)
- Lecture-Demonstrations
- Workshops on Harmonium Playing, Learning, Instrumental usage, application and appreciation
- Classes for Hindustani Harmonium, Vocals and Tabla
About
Born in a family of music lovers in the year 1969, Ravindra started
learning Hindustani classical Harmonium at the age of eight. Since then
he has been the disciple of Harmonium Legend
Pandit Rambhau Bijapure. He performed Guru Pooja on Akshaya
Triteeya in the year 1991. The blessings and guidance of his Guru, and
his own sincere efforts, have moulded him into a versatile and brilliant
Harmonium player. Ravindra's Harmonium solo playing is marked by
presentation in gayaki anga along with elaborate exploration of the
theme in lucid alap, brilliant layakari, and clear tanakari. Achieving
volume control by manipulating bellows is prominently noticeable in his
rendition. He is equally proficient in rendering khayal, thumri, dhun,
and natyageet.
Rewards and recognition
Rewards and recognition
- Karnataka Sangeet Nritya Academy scholarship (1986-1989)
- Topped Soth Central Zone Cultural Central youth festival at Ujjain (1993)
- Sur Ratna by Bhatkhande Academy, Raipur (1994)
- Sangeet Alankar by Akhil Bharateeya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya (1995)
- First Hindustani harmonium player to be awarded 'A' grade by Music Audition Board of All India Radio.
After more than four decades, a Hindustani Harmonium Solo Recital got featured on the National Programme of Music of All India Radio. Not only was Dr. Ravindra Katoti's Harmonium Solo Recital featured on the prestigious platform, he has received awards, accolades and appreciation from many reputed musicians, organizations, and music connoisseurs as well.
He has accompanied many of the top ranking vocalists of the country including Dr. Gangubai Hangal, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Pt. Jasraj, Pt. Ajoy Chakravarty, Pt. Rajan - Pt. Sajan Mishra, Begum Parveen Sultaana. An M.Com, Ph.D from Karnataka University Dharwad, Ravindra is a faculty member of Dept. of Commerce, Govt. First grade College, Bengaluru.
As a Teacher
Ravindra is sincerely putting focused efforts to train young harmonium players, some of whom are already performing as soloist and accompanists. He is shouldering the most important responsibility of transferring the legacy to the posterity. His 'Learn to play Harmonium' DVD is popular among Harmonium learners. He is also guiding some promising students abroad over Skype.As an Organizer
Ravindra has instituted Bijapure Harmonium Foundation in Bangalore. This is forum dedicated to the cause of promoting 'Harmonium', named after the legendary Harmonium exponent, Pandit Rambhau Bijapure. Harmonium habba, an annual feature has carved its own place in musical calendar of musicians and connoisseurs as well. The 'foundation' has produced audio CDs and a video documentary of Pandit Rambhau Bijapure. His biography in Kannada, 'Swarayana' has been published as well, documenting generations of music in and around Belgaum. A video documentary featuring the life and achievements of Pt. Bijapure is also being produced.
The Birth Centenary of Pt Rambhau Bijapure was celebrated throughout the year 2017—18, in Kagwad, Belgavi, Bengaluru, and various cities across US and Singapore. World Harmonium Summit was organised on 5, 6, 7 January 2018, which included harmonium maestros from across the country and abroad. To mark this occasion, "Shatasamvadini" (Hundred harmoniums) and "Shatakantha" (Hundred voices) were presented.
As a Composer
Ravindra has been seriously into composing music - classical, devotional and lighter forms. His composition of three Raag Maalas depicting samaya Chakra is unique. His albums are 'Rashmi', 'Monsoon Moods', Golden Swara, Journey in Harmony (both audio and video), Bhakti Samvadini (Kannada) to name a few.As an Explorer
Ravindra has been continuously exploring new horizons. His experiments of combining Harmonium with other instruments such as Western Accordion, Flute, Sarangi, Sitar, Violin, Hawaiian Guitar have been widely acclaimed and appreciated by musicians as well as listeners. His thematic presentations, Samarasa Samvadini, Dwadasha Swara Sambhrama are widely acclaimed. Journey in harmony is a twenty piece conducted ensemble, with Lead Harmonium.Gallery
Press Reviews
In his expansive, imaginative delineation .... Katoti illuminated quintessential aspects of the raga, highlighting many poignant phraseologies .... His taans drew a lot of applause from the audience.
....Katoti's accompaniment was not only supportive but also inspiring and imaginative. His responsiveness to the pulse of the vocalist and the audience is remarkable.
Bijapure Harmonium Foundation is doing a great service by propagating harmonium under the leadership of Dr. Ravindra Katoti...
Contact
| Address |
#209, Adwaith Vibrant,
93/D Digital Park Road, Yeshvantpur Industrial Suburb, Bengaluru 560022 |
| Phone | +91-80-23478458, +91-9845793012 |
| ravindrakatoti@yahoo.com, ravindrakatoti@gmail.com |