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

---

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 100 artists worldwide and raised over $25,000. 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