Rajeev Janardan is an exponent of Hindustani Classical Music and a torch bearer of the Imdadkhani Etawah Gharana. A charismatic leading sitar artiste of the present generation, his renditions represents the pure essence of a highly revered musical heritage.
Initiated into Hindustani Classical Music at the tender age of eight, he blossomed into a true artist under the valuable guidance of his gurus, Pandit Bimlendu Mukherjee and Pandit Arvind Parikh, doyens of the famous ImdadKhani Gharana of Sitar. Rajeev's 30-year tenure at All India Radio Broadcasting House, New Delhi, allowed him to interact with legendary artists, significantly shaping his playing style.
Rajeev is an unparalleled sitar artist known for his exceptional hand coordination, seamlessly blending melody and rhythm. His left hand crafts intricate melodic phrases while his right hand establishes dynamic rhythmic patterns, showcasing remarkable technical prowess. Credited with pioneering the six note meend on the sitar, he demonstrates extraordinary control and fluidity in melodic transitions. His deep mastery of the Merukhand technique enables him to develop intricate musical designs and enrich raga elaboration with depth and precision. Beyond technical excellence, his versatility with the instrument and profound understanding of ragas set him apart. He has innovated subtle variations and improvisations by modulating volume and sound, creating spacious and colorful phrases that span three octaves. His ability to fuse melody and rhythm with such artistry makes his music truly inspirational.
Rajeev Janardan’s exceptional talent has earned him numerous accolades. He won the All India Music Competition at the age of 15 and later became the winner of the Prayag Sangit Samiti All-India Music Competition (1983). He was also awarded the Sur Singar Samsad Competition (1991) in Mumbai, further cementing his reputation as a distinguished musician. At just 19 years old, he achieved the prestigious status of an A-grade artist of All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan, a recognition of his musical excellence at a national level.
He has upheld the aesthetic principles of traditional music and has mesmerised the world with his pristine pure, delicate yet fiery music. Being a powerhouse performer, he has gained an extremely respectable reputation, always captivating the audience with his exceptional ability to project beautiful music. He is equally proficient in Rudra Veena and Surbahar. He has performed at all the prestigious festivals in India and has performed extensively abroad.
Janardan blends melodious ragas with flawless rhythm, mastering the sitar, rudraveena, and surbahar with rare versatility.
He is passionate about nurturing the next generation of musicians, offering both face-to-face and online lessons to share his extensive knowledge and experience with students worldwide.
His workshops have been widely appreciated for the depth pf lyrical beauty, dynamic energy and deep emotional connection with the students from different countries.
"Rajeev Janardan’s sitar sings with unmatched beauty, bringing out the essence of every raga with extraordinary finesse." – The Times of India
"A rare combination of technical brilliance and emotional depth – a sitarist of true international caliber." – The Hindu
"Rajeev Janardan captivates audiences with his mesmerizing sitar – a true torchbearer of the Imdadkhani Gharana." – BBC Music
City House Eruva, Opposite Bindu Theatre, Kayamkulam. Alappuzha Kerala 690502 , India
Phone : ( +91 98185 09273 )
Email : janardanrajeev at gmail.com
© 2025 All Rights Reserved.