About

Shri. Prakash Ballesh is a son and a disciple of Hindustani vocalist and Shehnai Maestro Pandit Dr. S. Ballesh. He has pursued his Sangit Alankar from Akhila Bharatha Gandharava Mahavidyalaya and finished his Vidwath Anthim from Karnataka State Govt. Music Examination and Bachelor of Music and Master in Music from Karnataka University. Shri. Prakash Ballesh had his initial Hindustani Classical music training from his grandfather Pt. Sanna Bharamanna. At the age of 7 years, he started his musical training – learning Hindustani vocal Kirana gharana from Late Pt. Dr. D. P. Hiremath from M. K. Hubli. Prakash is one of the early disciples of Pt. M. Venkatesh Kumar of Dharwad (Gwalior-Kirana gharana style). Later, He learnt Patiala gharana Khayal Gayaki from his father Pt. S. Ballesh. Prakash is inspired by voice culture and Gayaki Ang of Guruji Ustad Rashid Khan Sahab. Presently, Prakash Ballesh is a guru to nearly 150 students in Chennai teaching Hindustani music. Prakash learnt the nuances of Tabla from Table Nawaz Ustad Nazim Hussain, son of Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan. He is a multi-skilled artiste playing Shehnai, Harmonium, Tabla and Dukkad (Banarasi drums). He has accompanied his father Pt. S. Ballesh in many concerts with vocal support and accompanied Harmonium for vocal concerts and also Dukkad for Shehnai concerts. Along with being muti-skilled, he is a dedicated teacher. His way of making his pupils understand the foundation of music is unique and makes learning very comfortable. He rigorously trains his students by making them sing the toughest of alankars, a basic vocal exercise that creates a strong understanding about swaras and improves voice culture. He follows a systematic approach by making students take each step without any fear. He has received many honors and awards to his credits.