Sweekar Sunil Katti

Sweekar was born in a family of musicians.His mother, Dr. Vandana Katti is Hindustani classical vocalist belonging to Jaipur Atrauli gharana, and his father Dr.Sunil Katti is Sitar and Santoor maestro and also a music director(Shank-Neel).

Sweekar has arrived in this world with a keen ear that absorbs the rich music in air. When he was a toddler,he would sit on his grandma’s lap (Late Smt. Vimal Katti),who would sing to him and he would sing along.Before his formal training in music began, he would hang around while his mother did her riyaz or gave music lessons to her students.That’s how he got familiar with the various Ragas and Bandish/Khayal.Right since his early childhood through the process of growing up – and even today,he has been receiving this informal but precious education about the Hindustani classical music.
 
His father realized his musical inclination and aptitude,and started giving him Tabla lessons when Sweekar was 7 years old.Idea was to get him well acquainted with the concept of rhythm – Laya.

   He would sit attentively while his father practiced Sitar and Santoor,and thus built a strong affinity towards string instruments.When it was time for him to choose his path for the musical journey, he chose Sitar.His father bought a small Sitar for him,and thus began his musical education under the guidance of his father. By the time he passed out of school,he knew that he wanted to pursue music as career and joined a college that supported and nurtured his musical abilities to the full extent. Sweekar has participated in many intercollegiate competitions, national competitions and has won several awards.

Now,as a Professional Sitarist, he has given several performances in India and abroad. 

-He has received ‘Scholarship’ from the ‘Ministry of culture Govt. of India’ under the scheme of scholarship to young artists for the year 2009-10.

 -Sweekar is a ‘Graded Artist’ of the ‘All India Radio (AIR)’ and gives regular performances.

 -Sweekar’s Debut Classical solo Album ‘Sur Anant’ was released by Legendary Kathak Maestro ‘Pt.Birju Maharaj’ and ‘Begum Parveen Sultana’.

 Sweekar features in the List of “Young World Leaders” featured by “MOSAICQUE International Magazine”.

 His keen interest in exploring new avenues has enabled him to contribute to innovative ideas of performance which include a combination of Instrumental music,Vocal music and Dance.

 Despite his young age,Sweekar comes across as a very mature artist. With his Talent and dedication he promises to carve out a place for himself amongst the leading Sitarists of the next generation.

 Sweekar is an outstanding Sitar player.He is pursuing the art of Sitar with utmost dedication and determination.His talent,energy and musical personality is very unique.

    -Vedic Heritage Journal(USA)

        Sweekar belongs to ‘Etawah Gharana’ (Imdadkhani Gharana) and follows the immensely appealing ‘Gayaki Ang‘. Sweekar has performed many Classical and Fusion Concerts at prestigious Music Festivals in India and Abroad. His electrifying yet soulful performances have been widely appreciated by the music lovers as well as critics.Sweekar’s performaces are a beautiful blend of traditional & contemporary Indian Classical Music.

 Accolades:

- Sweekar has won the prestigious ‘AVIDES-Acharya Vishwanath Dev Classical Talent Competition’(National level) organized by ‘Padmavibhushan Sangeet martand Pt.Jasraj’ held at NewYork (USA) in November 2010.

--Sweekar is a ‘Gold Medalist’ in ‘Sangeet Visharad’ of the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal and has received ‘Naresh Belwalkar Award ‘ and ‘Rangnath Dattatray Award’.

-He is also a ‘Gold Medalist’ in ‘Master of Arts (M.A-Music)’ from the ‘Shivaji University,Kolhapur’.

-He has received ‘Scholarship’ from the ‘Ministry of culture Govt. of India’ under the scheme of scholarship to young artists for the year 2009-10.

-He is a ‘Graded Artist’ of the ‘All India Radio (AIR)’ and gives regular performances.

-Sweekar’s Debut Classical solo Album ‘Sur Anant’ was released by Legendary Kathak Maestro ‘Pt.Birju Maharaj’ and ‘Begum Parveen Sultana’.

- He features in the List of “Young World Leaders” featured by “MOSAICQUE International Magazine”.

-Sweekar has worked with Ace Western Composer ‘Prof.Sandeep Bhagwati’ from Germany in his project of Indian music explorations ‘Dhwani Sutras’.

-Sweekar has worked with many ‘Bollywood’ Music directors like Pritam,Sanjay leela bhansali,Ustad Taufiq Qureshi to name a few.

-Sweekar is equally brilliant when it comes to ‘Fusion Music’,having performed with the Top Most Musicians of the country like the ‘Master of Percussion Ustad Taufiq Qureshi’ and the ‘Legendary Drummer Ranjit Barot’.

-He works on different concepts with various well known Bands like Vaditra,The Ensemble,Surya-The new Sun,Taal-Matrix etc.

- He has keen interest in exploring new avenues of performance,and contributes towards innovative ideas of blending different genres of Indian Classical and Fusion Music.

Despite his young age,Sweekar comes across as a very mature artist. With his Talent and dedication he promises to carve out a place for himself amongst the leading Sitarists of the next generation.

          Sweekar is an outstanding Sitar player.He is pursuing the art of Sitar with utmost dedication and determination.His talent,energy and musical personality is very unique.

                                                                              -Vedic Heritage Journal (USA)