Vishnu R – Strings Beyond Borders – Sunday, August 7 at 4 pm
Strings Beyond Borders
Vishnu R, navtar
Rohan Krishnamurthy, percussion
program includes works by South Indian composers including Thyagarja (1767–1847), Purandara Dasa (1484–1564), contemporary masters John McLaughlin, Al di Meola, and original compositions by Vishnu R.
Vishnu R is an award-winning performer, composer, inventor, and patent-holder of the navtar, a unique revolutionary 9-string instrument encompassing fretted, fretless and harp elements that bring together the best of Indian Classical melody & Western harmony. A Fellow of the US Government Bureau of Education & Cultural Affairs, Vishnu has worked with leading stalwarts in the music industry including multiple GRAMMY-winning artists and producers. With performances across India, Europe and the US, he brings to audiences an original, immersive & irresistible blend of high energy & soulful Indian Classical, Jazz and Spanish music.
Vishnu’s versatility and mastery of Indian Classical and Western music has gained him several awards such as Grade 8 Distinction in Western Classical Guitar from the Trinity College of London, ‘WINNER’ of the Beyond Music International project, Karnataka State Government award and Pogo Amazing Musician Award to name a few. As a session artist, he has recorded for several Indian and International projects, films, productions, and albums. Vishnu has been a passionate social reformer, innovator, and educator, and has given lectures and talks on Music, Innovation and Education at industry-leading forums and conferences. For more information, please visit vishnunavtar.com
Indian-American percussionist and composer Dr. Rohan Krishnamurthy is one of the leading voices of Indian classical and cross-genre music in the South Asian diaspora. Acclaimed a “musical ambassador” by The Times of India, he received mridangam training from the esteemed guru, Sri. Guruvayur Dorai. He teaches ethnomusicology at Ohlone College in the San Francisco Bay Area and his patented RohanRhythm drum tuning system is available worldwide.