A distinguished exponent of the Senia Maihar Gharana, Pt. Rajeev Taranath’s distinctive musicianship demonstrates striking imaginative power, technical excellence and emotional range.

He was honoured by Government of India with Padma Shri in 2019 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi award (1999-2000). The Government of Karnataka honoured the sarod maestro with Chowdiah Memorial (1998), Sangeet Vidhwan award (2018) and Nadoja award (2019).

A distinguished disciple of the great sarod maestro Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Pt. Rajiv Taranath also received guidance from two other legendary musicians of this musical lineage Pandit Ravi Shankar and Vidushi Annapurna Devi.

Born into a highly creative family from Bengaluru, Pt. Rajeev Taranath began studying music, song and poetry with his father Taranath at a very early age. As a teenager, he attended a concert featuring classical Indian music that would forever change his life and artistic path. Under the tutelage of the great sarod maestro, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Taranath became dedicated to the sarod. Throughout his career, he also received crucial guidance from two other legendary musicians of this musical lineage, Pandit Ravi Shankar and Vidushi Annapurna Devi.

Today, Rajeev Taranath is considered one of India’s top exponents of the sarod with musicianship that masterfully combines the depth and rigour of traditional Hindustani classical music with an inspired imagination and emotional intensity.

Pt. Rajeev Taranath is respected for the clarity of musical understanding and depth of knowledge which he brings to the unfolding of a raga and the beauty of the tone he evokes from the sarod.

Having settled in Mysuru, Taranath travelled worldwide, both teaching and performing. His concerts have included performances at major Indian music venues and internationally at, Universities, Conservatories and World Music Festivals. 

In India these have included the Dasara Cultural Programme held at Mysore Palace premises, Tansen Sangeet Samaroh, Dover Lane Music Conference, Sawai Gandharv Mahatsov, Sangeet Research Academy Sangeet Sammelan among others.

International performances have included presenters such as Oberlin Conservatory, the Sydney Opera House, The Smithsonian Institution (Freer Sackler Gallery), Theatre De Ville (Paris), Rubin Museum (NYC) and Tropeninstitut (Netherlands), Asian Art Museum (SF), Asia Society (Hong Kong), Chicago World Music Festival, Denver Art Museum, the Rietberg Museum (Zurich), Museum of Musical Instruments (Phoenix Arizona), University of California, Santa Cruz, Small World Music (Toronto), Middlebury College, UCLA, University of Redlands (CA), Denver University, World Music Institute (NYC) Centre Kabir (Montreal) and Colorado University and many Indian cultural organizations dedicated to presenting high caliber Hindustani classical concerts.  From 1995-2005, Taranath served on the music faculty of the California Institute of the Arts in Los Angeles.

He has also composed the music for many internationally acclaimed Indian films including Samskara, Kanchana Sita, Kadavu, Pallavi, Anuroopa, Sringara Masa, Aganthuka   and others.

[Courtesy: rajeevtaranath.com]