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    Vishnu R is an award-winning performer, composer, and inventor of the unique 9-string instrument "NAVTAR®," blending Indian Classical Carnatic music with Western classical and Jazz. With over 600 performances worldwide, he has gained international acclaim for his innovative music and collaborations with legends like Shankar Mahadevan and Angelique Kidjo. His works "Moksha" and "SiMchezo" have won prestigious accolades, and his performances have graced renowned venues like NMACC Mumbai.

    "Works of art make rules; rules do not make works of art."
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    SHORT BIOGRAPHY

    Vishnu R is an award-winning performer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Bengaluru, India. He blends his roots in Indian Classical Carnatic music with Western classical and jazz influences. Vishnu has developed a unique voice on his self-invented instrument, the “NAVTAR®,” a 9-string creation that combines distinct fretted, fretless, and 12-harp elements into one. His music continues to push boundaries, blending technical brilliance, magical rhythms, mellifluous melodies, and out-of-the-box improvisations. With over 600 performances and workshops across India, the USA, and Europe, he has gained international acclaim.

    AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

    • Performance on invitation of President of the Oscars’ Academy Awards, (USA, 2024)
    • Fellow of the US Govt. Bureau of Education & Cultural Affairs 'OneBeat' program
    • Mentor for ‘RhythmXChange’ India-UK program, supported by British Council (UK)
    • 2x 'WINNER' of the Beyond Music International Project (Switzerland), 2022 & 2024
    • Collaboration with 5x GRAMMY winners Michael League, Bill Laurance (Snarky Puppy)
    • Guest Lecturer at Northwestern University and CalArts University (USA)
    • Director of ‘Swadesh Symphony’ – a music project, endorsed by Shankar Mahadevan
    • Director of eAmbalam Online College for Performing Arts (www.eambalam.com)
    • Grade 8 distinction holder from the Trinity College of London
    • Recipient of the Karnataka State Govt. Rajyotsava Yuva Prashisthti award
    • Vishnu’s works “Moksha” and “SiMchezo” have won the prestigious Beyond Music International Project award in 2023 and 2024, respectively. “Moksha” was produced by 5-time GRAMMY Award winner Snarky Puppy, and “SiMchezo” is set to be produced by 5-time GRAMMY winner Angelique Kidjo
    • His magical ‘NAVTAR’ sound also graced the opening ceremony of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center (NMACC) in Mumbai, where Vishnu was invited to perform twice.

    COLLABORATIONS

    5-time Grammy winners Michael League & Bill Laurance of Snarky Puppy, Grammy winning African legend Angelique Kidjo, director Anirudh Ravichander, Padmavibhushan Dr. Umayalapuram Sivaraman, Padmashri A.Kanyakumari, Vijay Prakash, singer Srinivas, singer Karthik, Haricharan, Vidya Vox, Shankar Tucker (USA), Denis Stern (Italy), Ueli & Lukas Gasser (Switzerland) Guitar Prasanna, Varijashree, BC Manjunath to name a few