Music

I’m an Indian classical singer, guitarist and producer. I have been passionate about classical music from a very young age. My mother fondly recalls me singing since the age of 4.

For over a decade, I have had the privilege to learn from esteemed gurus of the Kirana gharana.

My training in Hindustani singing began under

• Pt Nagaraj Rao Havaldar in Bangalore, a disciple of Pt Madhav Gudi.
• Currently, I continue to learn under Sri Nachiketa Yakkundi in Cupertino, a student of Pt Basavaraj Rajguru … read more

Latest performances: Youtube.com/@RiteshNayak

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Classicalweekly.org

Newsletter with recommendations for short and long-form classical music from India. If I know, I write about the history of the Raag(mood), composition, meter, etc. You can read my pitch for this which also includes my music resume.

Sangeethaamsha

I serve as the secretary of Sangeethaamsha: a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in the San Francisco Bay area to help promote and popularize Classical music from the sub-continent. Started by a few friends as a way to support artists in India during the pandemic, the group has organized over 40+ concerts, and showcased over 80 artists worldwide and raised over $10,000 in 2023. You can read more on the website sangeethaamsha.com

Miyakisynth

Miyakisynth is an experimental classical music project. Includes rock styled guitars, synthesizers (machine generated music) and classical vocals to create a unique sound that’s my own. One of the listeners referred to it as “Avant-garde raga rock”.

“Miya ki” is an homage to Miya Tansen, court musician and confidant to the Mughal emperor Akbar from 1500 AD. He was a great singer and an even better composer. His melodic templates (raags) and compositions are sung every day in India, a half millennium later.

Start here miyakisynth.com or on Youtube

Theatre & Musicals

Music has given me the opportunity to be part of some very exciting productions, in many capacities, including Acting. Some are available on-demand for streaming:

• Hayavadan
• Shatranj Ke Khiladi
• Bombay talkies
• Akbar Birbal - Grand Musical
• Pehi Pehli Maruti
• Vrindavan
• Indian Matchmaking
  

c.06.2023 - Shatranj Ke Khiladi by Naatak