Mysore/Mysuru: Sri Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha has organised a unique Karnatak Classical music concert of Chromatic Harmonica (Mouth Organ) by Saitejas Chandrasekar, at its premises on JLB Road here on Feb. 22 at 6 pm.  He will be accompanied by Arjun Dinakar on violin, G.S. Nagaraj on mridanga and Sumana Chandrasekar on ghata. 

Artiste’s Profile: Saitejas Chandrasekar from Bengaluru is one of the very few artistes in the world, who has mastered the skills to play Chromatic Harmonica, a modified Mouth Organ, which is almost extinct now. 

A post graduate in Commerce,  Saitejas has been training in Karnatak Classical Vocal under Vidushi Rupa Sridhar and has also been learning Sugama Sangeetha from Pandit Vishwanath Nakod. Saitejas is a graded artiste of All India Radio, Bengaluru and a recipient of several awards and prizes like Nadakishora award, Ananya Yuva Pratibha award, Pratibhakankshi award among many others.  

 Saitejas has also learnt Hindustani Classical tabla and has performed on tabla at renowned platforms like Hampi Utsav 2000  and played for numerous Jugalbandi and percussion ensemble. 

He has the credit of introducing the Harmonica into Karnatak classical music. He is an empanelled artiste of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations in Karnatak Instrumental Category.  

Saitejas has shared platforms with  internationally acclaimed Harmonica maestro Brendan Power and  is a recipient of the prestigious ‘Milon Gupta Award for Excellence in Harmonica Playing 2018’  instituted by Surabhi Music Academy, Pune. He has been honoured by the Kolkata Harmonica Association. 

He is the director of ‘Hamsanada’- India’s only Youth Harmonica Ensemble and has been instrumental in promoting Harmonica through programmes like ‘Harmonica Vaibhava’ and ‘Reeds n Ragas.’ He has  co-authored “Joy of playing Harmonica,” a handbook for harmonica beginners, along with Avinash Kulkarni. Saitejas also plays Melodica, Cajon and other percussion instruments. The event is an endowment by Dr. Meera Nathan in memory of her mother.