A Hindustani Instrumental Concert featuring Pt. Ravindra Katoti

Date: April 20, 2025, 5:00 PM 

Venue: Jay and Kinjal Parikh Residence

4722 Benjamin Cross Court,

Chantilly, VA 20151

Tabla: Shri. Sumith Naik

Pt Ravindra Katoti

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 eorts 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, brilliantlayakari, and clear tanakari. Achieving volume control by manipulating bellows is prominently noticeable in his rendition. He is equally procient in rendering khayal, thumri, dhun, and natyageet.

Rewards and Recognition

• Karnataka SangeetNritya Academy Scholarship(1986-1989)
• Topped South Central Zone Cultural Centralyouthfestival at Ujjain(1993)
• Sur Ratnaby Bhatkhande Academy, Raipur (1994)
• Sangeet Alankar by Akhil Bharateeya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya(1995)
• First Hindusatni harmonium player to b eawarded 'A' grade by Music Audition Board of All India Radio.

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 faculty member of Dept. of Commerce, Govt. First grade College, Bengaluru.

AS A TEACHER

Ravindra is sincerely putting focused eorts 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 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, 'Rashmi', 'Mansoon Moods', Golden Swara, Journey in Harmony (both audio and video), Bhakti Samvadini (Kannada)

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 Sambhramaare widely acclaimed. Journey in harmony is a twenty piece conducted ensemble, with Lead Harmonium.

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, a video documentary of Pandit Rambhau Bijapure. His biography in Kannada, 'Swarayana' also has been published, documenting ve generations of music in and around Belgaum. A video documentary featuring the life and achievements of Pt. Bijapure is also produced.