About

Shri. Shivanand Ballesh is the youngest son and a disciple of Hindustani vocalist and Shehnai Maestro Pandit. Dr. S. Ballesh. He pursued his Sangit Visharad from Akhila Bharatha Gandharava Mahavidyalaya and finished his Vidwath Anthim from Karnataka State Govt. Music Examination and Bachelor of Music from Karnataka University. Shivanand had his initial Hindustani Classical music training from his grandfather Pt. Sanna Bharamanna. At the age of 5, he started his musical learning from Late Pt. Dr. D. P. Hiremath guruji for nearly 10 years in Kirana gharana style. Shivanand is one of the early disciples of Pt. Kodhand Salunke of Karsundi (Patiala Gharana). Later, He learnt Patiala Gharana Khayal gayaki from his father Pt. Dr. S. Ballesh. He learnt voice culture and gayaki ang from Guruji Ustad Rashid Khan Sahab and still continues to learn from him. Currently, Shivanand mentors nearly 100 students in Chennai teaching Hindustani Music Foundation. Shivanand learnt the nuances of Tabla from Tabla Nawaz Ustad Nazim Hussain, son of Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan. He is a multi-skilled artiste who plays Shehnai, Harmonium, Tabla, Dukkad. He has accompanied his father Pt. S. Ballesh at many concerts giving vocal support and accompanied Harmonium for vocal concerts and Dukkad for Shehnai concerts.