Sweekar Katti

PLAYS

Sitar

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GHARANA

Etawah (Imdadkhani)

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Born into a lineage steeped in musical excellence, Sweekar's journey with the Sitar commenced at the tender age of ten. His initial tutelage came from his esteemed father, Dr. Sunil Katti, a celebrated Sitar and Santoor Maestro and accomplished Music Composer known as 'Shank-Neel'. Complementing this rich heritage, his mother, Dr. Vandana Katti, is a renowned vocalist of the 'Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana'. Sweekar proudly carries forward the legacy of the 'Etawah Gharana' (Imdadkhani Gharana), captivating audiences with his deeply evocative 'Gayaki Ang' style. His artistry has graced numerous Classical and Fusion Concerts at prestigious music festivals both in India and internationally, where his electrifying yet soulful performances consistently garner widespread acclaim from both connoisseurs and critics alike. Sweekar's talent was globally recognized in November 2010 when he triumphed at the 'AVIDES-Acharya Vishwanath Dev Classical Talent Competition' (National level) in New York, USA, an event orchestrated by the revered 'Padmavibhushan Sangeet Martand Pt. Jasraj'. He is a 'Gold Medalist' in 'Sangeet Visharad' from the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, further honored with the 'Naresh Belwalkar Award' and the 'Rangnath Dattatray Award'. His academic prowess is equally notable, having earned a 'Gold Medal' in 'Master of Arts (M.A.-Music)' from 'Shivaji University, Kolhapur'. In recognition of his exceptional promise, he was awarded a 'Scholarship' from the 'Ministry of Culture, Government of India', under the scheme for young artists in 2009-10. As an 'A' Graded Artist of 'All India Radio (AIR)', Sweekar regularly enchants listeners with his performances. His debut classical solo album, 'Sur Anant', was unveiled by the legendary Kathak Maestro 'Pt. Birju Maharaj' and 'Begum Parveen Sultana'. He has been featured in the esteemed "Young World Leaders" list by “MOSAICQUE International Magazine”. Sweekar's vibrant career includes performances at major music festivals across India, alongside regular concert and collaboration tours spanning the USA, Canada, and South Korea. His collaborative spirit extends to the film industry, where he has worked with prominent music directors such as Pritam, Anu Malik, Himesh Reshammiya, Anand Milind, Sohail Sen, Leslie Lewis, Uttam Singh, Pyarelal Sharma, and Avadhoot Gupte. Sweekar's brilliance shines equally bright in 'Fusion Music', evidenced by his collaborations with eminent musicians like Ustad Taufiq Qureshi, Taalyogi Pt. Suresh Talwalkar, Padmashri Pt. Ronu Majumdar, Pt. Yogesh Samsi, Padmashri Pt. Vijay Ghate, and the legendary drummer Ranjit Barot. In 2016, he received a fellowship for his doctoral thesis, "The Contribution of Selected Music Arrangers in different forms of Marathi Music," and has served as an Assistant Professor for Sitar at Mumbai University. Despite his youth, Sweekar embodies the maturity of a seasoned artist. With his innate talent and unwavering dedication, he is poised to secure a distinguished position among the leading Sitarists of the coming generation.