2024 marks a significant milestone for V. Selvaganesh, the renowned kanjira maestro. This year, the reformed world music band Shakti, featuring Selvaganesh along with John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan, and Ganesh Rajagopalan, celebrated a Grammy win for Best Global Music Album with their release “This Moment.” This accolade is particularly momentous as it’s the band’s first Grammy and the inaugural studio album they’ve produced in 46 years. Selvaganesh also performed some memorable concerts with his father, Vikku Vinayakram, at events like the NMACC and Mahindra Percussion Festival.
As the year concludes, Selvaganesh extends his musical exploration by performing at Bandland 2024, a rock festival, where he plans to experiment with electronic music alongside his son, Swaminathan Selvaganesh. Reflecting on his journey with Shakti and his role in popularizing the kanjira, Selvaganesh underscores the importance of advancing the instrument’s reach and appeal. He mentions a collaboration with Remo, an American company, to design a traditional kanjira.
Traveling globally for concerts, he sees each performance as an opportunity to grow, with cities like Pune, Bengaluru, New York, and Germany being his favorites for their unique audience vibes. Recalling a challenging yet humorous incident, Selvaganesh shares how a lost suitcase led him to borrow a kurta from Zakir Hussain at a concert in Brazil.
As he continues to embrace new challenges and spread the rhythmic richness of the kanjira, Selvaganesh remains dedicated to honoring the legacy of his father and Shakti, carrying forward a journey marked by creativity and collaboration.
Original Story https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/art-and-culture/v-selvaganesh-shakti-band-zakir-hussain-john-mclaughlin-grammy-2024-11732397241580.html
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