Media
Lalit Mohan Joshi, Director SACF talks to Baluji about his life and works
Sitar Maestro BALUJI SHRIVASTAV speaks to LALIT MOHSAN JOSHI
Baluji performs at the Commonwealth Resounds Christmas Carol Concert with the Inner Vision Orchestra
This extract is a Konkani Christmas Carol \'Mari Matek Ballok Zala\', featuring guest Oscar Castellino, Baluji Shrivastav OBE on sitar, Abi Baker on Violin, Kevin Satizabal on piano
I Open My Heart to the Moon
Commissioned and supported by Unlimited, celebrating the work of disabled artists, with funding from Arts Council England.
Baluji Shrivastav OBE new album Indian Classical Interactions Out Now !
Baluji Shrivastav OBE announces the release of his latest album ‘Indian Classical Interactions’ on ARC Music. The virtual launch party will take place on the 11th October 2020 with registration via Eventbrite (click here to register in order to receive the link before the event starts).
This album features original works by Baluji Shrivastav OBE, inspired by different artists and musical forms. Baluji brings passion for melody and rhythm inherent in Indian Classical music, together with poetic and philosophical insight, in a series of compositions demonstrating a breathtaking versatility as a virtuoso musician and composer. This album is a tribute to the musical and ethnic diversity of London and the UK which has been the cauldron for so many of Baluji’s creative personal and musical interactions.
“Virtuoso multi-instrumentalist” - The Times
“One of the greatest instrumentalists to come from India” - Dr Kamalesh Sharma (5th Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations from 2008 to 2016, previously High Commissioner for India in London)
Baluji \"....crosses all cultural divides” - The Guardian
The album opens with the magical sounds of sitar and flamenco guitar in ‘A Dream of Andalucia’, based on Raag Charukeshi. It features an interaction between Baluji and Ignacio Monteverde - two great musicians whose own lives and musical journeys have brought them far from the country of their birth.
Next up is Unlimited International Commission ‘Antardrishti - Inner Vision’, which is based on chapter 11 of the Bhagavad Gita and features the Inner Vision Orchestra, the UK’s only ensemble of professional blind musicians.
Sohini’s Aria is from the world’s first and only opera in Urdu. It features Baluji on dilruba and tanpura with Linda Shanson’s vocals.
Finally ‘Sitar Guitar Suites’ which was commissioned by renowned guitarist Timothy Walker with support from Arts Council, and the performance features Indonesian musician Boo Boo Sianturi.
Antardrishti-Inner Vision - Unlimited International Commission - Trailer
What is worse than having no sight? Having no vision. \'Antardrishti – Inner Vision\' , is the latest project by sitar master Baluji Shrivastav OBE. An international music, dance and visual performance, the project is inspired by Chapter 11 of the Hindu philosophical epic the Bhagavad Gita. It explores the concept of divine sight through music, dance and film, and examines what is sight and sightlessness. Performances feature the Inner Vision Orchestra, the only blind ensemble in the UK founded by Baluji himself. ‘Antardrishti – Inner Vision’ was an Unlimited International Commission which celebrated the work of disabled artists. It was produced by Baluji Music Foundation with support from Arts Council England, British Council, Greater London Fund for the Blind and PRS Foundation. The theme will feature on Baluji\'s upcoming album on ARC Music \'Classical Interactions\'
Inner Vision Orchestra Concert Series - Baluji Shrivastav OBE
This concert was broadcast on the 1st of August 2020.
ITV news - Inner Vision Orchestra garden rehearsals - July 2020
Sally from ITV News came to record Inner Vision Orchestra musicians Baluji, Fereshteh and Ziad at their first in-person rehearsal after lockdown.
BBC London News - Inner Vision Orchestra - Kate, Takashi, Abi and Baluji together again! July 2020
Wendy Hurrell interviewed Baluji, Abi, Kate and Takashi as they rehearsed in the garden.
Baluji and Ignacio Monteverde interviewed on London Live about their India-flamenco collaboration
Baluji and his Inner Vision Orchestra feature on Radio 4 documentary Art of Now - Inner Visions
As part of Radio 4 series Art of Now - Trevor Dann meets visually impaired musicians finding ways to compose and perform in the age of screen-based music-making and hears about pioneering tech helping the brain to see.
Baluji interviewed by the MU as a Musician Behind the Moment
Baluji is one of four inspiring musicians featured in the Musicians Union campaign ‘Musician behind the moment’. Baluji\'s #MUmoment is playing London 2012 alongside Coldplay. Hearing the 80,000 strong crowd is a moment he\'ll never forget.
Baluji features in the Amber Trust\'s new online resource for teaching music
The Amber trust has launched a major new online resource for teaching music to a blind child - Sound Touch - which is all about inspiring music teachers to show them that everyone can work with children with a visual impairment, and is a superb teaching aid. This video features Joseph, 11 years old, who is blind and on the autism spectrum, Baluji, a professional musician and teacher who is also blind, and Adam, founder of The Amber Trust. The introductory webinar can be found here https://youtu.be/fvEdp63hUUo
Baluji performs on behalf of Mumbai Opera House - April 2020
As part of Mumbai Opera House AVID learning public education series, accompanied by Linda on tabla. Baluji gives insights on various compositions and performs Raag Charukeshi, accompanied by Linda on tablas.
Baluji performance at SAA Bhaithak Live - April 2020
For this live streamed concert on behalf of SAA, Baluji played Shudha Basant, Basant, Hari in Raag Kafi and his own composition the CoronaVirus song. For more events from SAA https://www.saa-uk.org
Baluji performs under the moon at Bloomsbury Festival with Yousuf Ali Khan and Linda Shanovitch - Oct 2019
Magical ragas and poetry for the moon to celebrate 2019\'s festival theme - Small Steps, Giant Leaps - inspired by the 50th Anniversary of Neil Armstrong\'s lunar landing. A special performance of moon inspired ragas on sitar by virtuoso multi-instrumentalist Baluji Shrivastav OBE accompanied by the highly acclaimed Yousuf Ali Khan on tablas. Opening with a sung poem by Linda Shanovitch accompanied by dilruba. The performance took place in a magical setting under Luke Jerram\'s the Museum of the Moon at Holy Cross Church.
India-Flamenco. Baluji Shrivastav OBE and Ignacio Monteverde on BBC Radio 3 In Tune August 2019
Baluji Shrivastav\'s and Ignacio Lusardi Monteverde\'s appearance on BB3 Radio 3\'s In Tune. Together they perform three pieces that display the melding of their cultures.
Baluji performs at the Nehru Centre with Sukhvinder Pinky Singh - June 2019
Baluji performs a mesmerising concert at the Nehru Centre with Sukhvinder \'Pinky\' Singh on tablas and Harsh Pershad on tanpura.
Baluji and Inner Vision Orchestra on ITV News - July 2020
Baluji was interviewed by ITV news together with Fereshteh and Ziad as Inner Vision Orchestra rehearsals start again as lockdown eases. There are of course a few changes but it is the beginning! Clip to follow
Baluji Shrivastav OBE and Abi Baker on BBC Radio Solent
Sasha Twining interviews Baluji Shrivastav OBE and Abi Baker ahead of their performance at the Southampton Mela
Hind Rattan Award - 2019
The Hind Rattan Award I accepted from the 38th International Congress of NRIs, New Delhi, 2019. The award was received for Outstanding services, Achievements and Contributions.
Inner Vision Orchestra on UK Tour
Working with British Paraorchestra Towards Harmony
An inspiring film about the important work of British Paraorchestra bringing top quality music played musicians who are differently abled.
Braille Music Trailer
Braille Music is the subject of a new documentary directed by American film-maker Michael House. It features six blind musicians who come together to record a tribute to Louis Braille.
Baluji visiting the visually-impaired steelpan group
Baluji visited the visually-impaired steelpan group in Ealing on 8th May, 2017.
Baluji Shrivastav introduces Indian Music to Mexican Students
Baluji Shrivastav introduces Indian Music to Mexican Students in Oaxaca Mexico in the village of pottery makers called Santa Maria Atzompa where his wife lived and worked many years ago. The children had never met anyone from India before or heard Indian music before, so it was a wonderful experience for everyone.
Baluji Shrivastav OBE performing at the London Fashion Week for Ashish
An intoxicating performance - Vogue
Brilliant Sitar and Oud duet
Two maestros meet, sit down together, and create the most stunning music out of the ether! Baluji first met Joseph in Perth, Australia in 2005. They have not met again till August 2016. Hopefully they will perform in public together one day!
LONDON FASHION WEEK ELECTRIFYING SITAR
The fashionist crowd went beserk at the end of Baluji s enchanting spellbinding vocal and sitar accompaniment to Ashish s stunning new collection on the catwalk...
A view of Sitar/Guitar Suites by Baluji Shrivastav
This is a contemporary work commissioned by eminent guitarist Timothy Walker who wants to extend the available repertoire for the guitar to reflect different cultural influences. He first met Baluji when they worked together on a project by Sarah Walker. The work was performed at the Purcell Rooms and Leeds College of Music. It will soon be going on tour again, featuring Boo-Boo who is talented graduate of Timothy Walker originating from Indonesia.
Path of Time by Linda Shanson accompanied by Baluji & James at St. George Church London
This is a film by Oscar Castellino celebrating the moving music produced by Linda, Baluji and James Welland who often work together to create powerful original works. This was a fundraising concert to support disabled young music students.
Misbehaving Ain\\\'t Misbehaving
Baluji and James Welland improvise a unique version of the Jazz Classic with piano and Indian folk drum called Naal.
Jazz with James
Baluji and James Welland are having fun exploring rhythmic patterns on piano and tabla.
Performing at The Wigmore Hall London
Baluji was performing an improvised work at the Wigmore Hall London
.JPG "Baluji playing melodica and sitar at Wigmore Hall")
Archive of Images of Indian Musicians
Baluji and Boo-boo rehearsing Balujis Sitar Guitar Suites
A photo of Baluji rehearsing his Sitar Guitar Suites at home with guitarist Boo-boo Sianturi.
Geranium Day Busking in Covent Garden 20 May 16
Baluji Shrivastav was joined by members of his Inner Vision Orchestra on Friday 20th May 2016, to busk in Covent Garden in order to raise money for Baluji Music Foundation on Geranium Day - a fundraising day organised by the Greater London Fund for the Blind.
Sayani Palit singing for Baluji in Radio BongOnets Studios in Kolkata
As part of the research and development tour that took place in January and February 2016 when Baluji was looking for outstanding blind musicians from different regions of India, he met the wonderful Sayani who is an accomplished Indian classical singer.
Glimpse of Liberty Festival
Going up on to the stage at Liberty Festival 2015, in our ponchos for the rain!
London Without Limits
I really enjoyed bringing our Inner Vision Quartet to perform at Borough Market-especially the food afterwards!
Parveen singing Sohini
Baluji teaching pining Sohini to Parveen for their performance of Sohini & Mahival at Alchemy 2015, part of the Southbank Centre\'s Festival
BBC World Service Interview - Sitar Star Baluji Shrivastav: Why can\'t we sing Urdu Opera?
He has played with Stevie Wonder, Coldplay and Massive Attack. Now, the blind Indian sitar player Baluji Shrivastav wants to stage the first Urdu language opera.
Baluji Shrivastav & Baldev Singh at New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich
Footage from Baluji on sitar and Baldev on tabla at the New Wolsey Theatre
Seasons Greetings!
Appreciation of Baluji and his achievements
Introduction at sell out concert at Burgh House of Classical Indian maestro on his birthday.
Inner Vision Orchestra on BBC News
Princess Fereshteh preparing to go on stage with the Inner Orchestra
Backstage at New Wolsey Theatre Fereshteh is finishing her makeup.
Inner Vision at BBC In Tune Radio 3
Happy hug with BBC radio3 In Tune Sean with Inner Vision Orchestra
Baluji performs in Qatar with the British Paraorchestra
The British Paraorchestra perform with the Qatar Philharmonic in Doha, March 2014. Part of Sasol\'s Definitely Able initiative.
Inner Vision Orchestra Film
Baluji performing with The British Paraorchestra
Here is some footage of Baluji performing at TEDX with the British Paraorchestra.
Baluji and Tom Waits Chicago...an interesting use of sitar
Opening the disc is a dark, horn-driven up-tempo piece called “Chicago,” which features some great miking techniques on the snare to achieve a train sound and an interesting use of sitar by Baluji Shrivastav The title track is quintessential Waits, featuring a wonderfully dirty, clangy snare backbeat and a gritty New Orleans-inspired funk groove. This is heavy in the truest sense of the word, and Waits’ rough-and-tumble wail and cigarette-drenched rasp are showcased perfectly here.
Fereshteh at BBC 100 Women
BBC 100 Women event went live on BBC World News TV & BBC World Service Radio in English and all their different languages. Fereshteh has been touring the UK in an Arts Council supported tour of Baluji Shrivastav and the Inner Vision Orchestra. Her parents have threatened to burn Fereshteh if she sings in public.
Fereshteh on BBC Persian Service TV
Inner Vision Orchestra\'s Iranian singer Fereshteh has been touring the UK and tells Iran about her life, promoting awareness of disability and women\'s issues. Thanks to Arts Council England for enabling this tour to take place.
Welcome to Respect Festival
Baluji Shrivastav presents Inner Vision Orchestra on tour . The final gig was at the Respect Festival Plymouth. Here the band arrives.
Peggy Scott Presents LOVE IS BLIND
At a wonderful concert concluding the Inner Vision Orchestra UK Tour at Plymouth Respect festival Peggy Scott who is 90 years old presents her favourite song.
Respect Festival Inner Vision Orchestra Finale
Showing the humour and spontaneity of the Inner Vision Orchestra at the Respect festival Plymouth where the musicians improvise and joke with the audience. After their encore they mingle with their fans from the audience.
Denise Leigh and Baluji Shrivastav
Part of Inner Vision Orchestra UK Tour 2013 funded by Arts Council England. A world first of German Lieder with Indian dilruba! A daring experiment typical of the adventurous spirit of Baluji Shrivastav and Denise Leigh.
University of Plymouth Music Workshop by Baluji Shrivastav & Ziad Sinno
Part of the purpose of Inner Vision is to train blind musicians to give workshops. Here, Ziad Sinno, who has been trained to give workshops by Baluji is joining him in teaching at Plymouth University Music department.
Jazz Orient Star Linda Shanson - A Female Focus
Linda Shanson, Jazz Orient Star - talks about what it means to be an artist in Female Focus.
Baluji Shrivastav and Inner Vision on BBC Asian Network
Watch and listen to Baluji and members of the Inner Vision Orchestra at BBC Asian Network publicising their main London gig of the Arts Council of England funded national tour of Baluji Shrivastav and his Inner Vision Orchestra of blind musicians.
Inner Vision Orchestra on BBC World Update
Baluji Shrivastav MD with two members of his 10 piece Inner Vision Orchestra , Takashi Kikuchi and Ziad Sinno , discuss their lives and music ,and play live on air. They are touring with the orchestra all over the UK in a groundbreaking project supported by Arts Council England. Blind musicians breaking down barriers and bringing joy! Film by Linda Shanson CEO of Baluji Music Foundation
Inner Vision Orchestra on BBC London The Sunny and Shay show
Film of Baluji Shrivastav and Victoria Oruwari from Inner Vision Orchestra on BBC London Sunny & Shay show in the lead up to their big show at Kings Place Theatre London on August 23 2013
Inner Vision rehearsing and performing at Kings Place. London as part of their national tour
On the move with Inner Vision Orchestra
Inner Vision Ten blind musicians, 3 guide dogs and a pile of luggage and instruments travel from London to Wale to perform at Welsh Millennium Centre and Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. A unique ensemble with different cultures, languages and religions, united by their love of music.
The IVO perform at UCAN Festival in Cardiff\'s Millennium Center
The Inner Vision Orchestra perform in Cymru in Cardiff Wales as part of the UCAN Festival at the Millenium Centre on July 23 & 24 2013
Baluji Shrivastav Presents: The Inner Vision Orchestra UK TOUR 2013
Fereshteh Khousrojerdy sings with the Inner Vision Orchestra as part of their 2013 UK Tour at The Octagon Theatre in Somerset on Friday 14th June 2014
Baluji performs at The Purcell Room, Southbank Centre with Jazz Orient
Baluji Shrivastav is a multi instrumentalist who lives in London UK. This footage was taken from a performance at The London South Bank (The Purcell Room) at Alchemy Festival April 2013. He was performing with his band Jazz Orient.
Baluji Shrivastav - Alchemy Festival promo
Baluji Shrivastav is one of the greatest instrumentalists India has produced excelling in sitar, surbahar, dilruba, pakhavaj and tabla. The outstanding characteristic of Baluji\'s musical career is his versatility. His ability to concentrate on sound as his primary mode of interaction with the world has enriched his musicality and his courageous attitude to life is reflected in his approach to music.
JAZZ ORIENTs UNDISCOVERED TIME Album Sample
INDIAN WORLD MUSIC FUSION - UNDISCOVERED TIME
Fruit by JAZZ ORIENT
Jazz Orients Fruit taken from the album Re-Orient , with Baluji Shrivastav (sitar), Andy Sheppard (sax), Guy Barker (trumpet), Hossam Ramzy (egyptian percussion) and Linda Shanson (vocals). At the core of Jazz Orient are Baluji Shrivastav, Chris Conway and Linda Shanovitch who celebrate Jazz, Eastern European, Middle Eastern and Indian music creating a kaleidoscope of rhythms and melodies with intricate patterns of percussive footwork and graceful movements from Indian dance.
Baluji Shrivastav performing in Arabic at louis Braille Festival Morrocco
Blind maestro joins other great blind musicians in Morocco at 2012 Louis Braille festival. He sings a song in Arabic to the delight of the audience who are surprised to hear their own language sung in an Indian style.
Baluji performs composition - Indian in London on sitar
Baluji Shrivastav performs composition \'Indian in London\' on sitar and with Girona orchestra.
Indian in London composed and performed by Baluji Shrivastav
Baluji Shrivastav performs composition, Indian In London with Girona.
Baluji NU Sound radio interview
Baluji is interviewed by NU Sound Radio
Baluji playing with the Paraorchestra and Coldplay at Paralympic Closing Ceremony 2012
Baluji playing with the Paraorchestra and Coldplay at Paralympic Closing Ceremony 2012
Baluji playing with Jimi from Doves at the BBC Electric Proms
Baluji Shrivastav: Sitar - Dhun Bhairavi - Taal Kamerua
Baluji live in London Mela 2007. Raag Bhairavi -
