Khanjira Maestro AMRIT NATARAJ a.k.a. BANGALORE AMRIT is the world’s leading top ranking artiste of the Khanjira, the Indian frame drum & is regarded as ‘The Brand Ambassador of Khanjira’.

Amrit’s playing of Khanjira is a rare blend of skill, technique, versatility, speed, intricate patterns, aesthetics, grace & beauty. His power packed performances are ‘trend setting’ and have fascinated large audience all over the world.

Amrit is the worthy successor to the throne of his great Guru Khanjira Legend, the one & only Late Sri G.Harishankar ji. Upholding the tradition & Legacy of his Guru, Amrit is taking the art of Khanjira to much greater heights.

Amrit is the youngest Khanjira Artiste to be awarded with the A-TOP Grade from the All India Radio, Govt. of India.

Amrit has the rare distinction of being one of the very few Khanjira Solo Artistes of the world. Apart from performing & collaborating with Legends of Indian Classical Music & World Music for almost 4 decades, Amrit has been performing Khanjira Solo Concerts for the past 20 years & made an unique position for himself.

Amrit has represented the Government of India as a cultural Ambassador from the INDIAN COUNSIL FOR CULTURAL RELATIONS {I.C.C.R.} for a concert tour in the FIJI ISLANDS. He has performed at CHICAGO World Music Festival 08, MADISON World Music Festival 08, Global Union Fest MILWAUKEE, Symphony Space (NEW YORK), Painted Bride Arts Center (PHILADELPHIA), ARIZONA State University, Mekudeshet Sacred Music Festival Jerusalem, Shoman Foundation Festival Jordan, Jerash Festival Jordan and many more. Amrit has performed in United Kingdom, Australia, Dubai, Abu Dhabhi, Malaysia, Germany, Jordan, Israel, Sri Lanka, China, Singapore & other countries.

Amrit performed with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra as a ‘Solo Artist’ in 2010. Amrit performed as a ‘Solo Artist’ with world renowned musicians in the “GLOBAL SAI SYMPHONY” in 2015, to commemorate the 90^th Birth anniversary of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Amrit performed as a ‘Solo Artist’ in ‘Sai Symphony’ by the WUPPERTAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA at The Historiche Stadthalle, Germany in May 2017. Amrit performed as a ‘Solo Artist’ in Sai Symphony by the SHANXI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA at Taiyuan, Shanxi Province in North China in November 2017.

Amrit is the head of a Percussion group ‘LAYA- NAADAAMRIT’ which, through the INDIAN COUNSIL FOR CULTURAL RELATIONS {I.C.C.R.} GOVT. OF INDIA, was invited to Mexico to perform in the prestigious CERVANTINO festival in 2011.

Amrit has been teaching a lot of students around the world, about various aspects of Indian Classical Music & Rhythm for the past 25 years. Many of his students are performing in concerts.

Amrit has conducted many Workshops, Clinics & Lecture Demonstrations for many prestigious places like PERCUSSIVE ARTS SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION - PASIC 2007, Berkley School of Music (BOSTON) & ARIZONA State University and more. Amrit’s lecture demonstration on “Sri G. Harishankar’s Playing Techinques of Khanjira” was awarded the ‘Best Lecture Demonstration Prize’ by the Madras Music Academy in 2011.

Amrit has released a Solo album named “KhanjirAmrit” which is mainly oriented on highlighting the scope, strength, beauty & other nuances of Khanjira as a Solo instrument.

Amrit has released an instructional educational DVD called “Khanjira - The journey within…” which is a very useful guide for learners to practice the traditional classical authentic way of Khanjira playing. This DVD has received huge acclaim among performers & learners worldwide.

Amrit has released 'KHANJIRA ... THE RHYTHM CHAKRA' - an online Khanjira course for the benefit of the beginners. it is a one of it kind course. This course is uniquely crafted, teaching the special techniques of playing the Khanjira creating a lifetime opportunity to learn the authentic techniques of Khanjira, the Indian frame drum from Khanjira Legend Late Guru Vidwan Sri Harishankar's school of thought. The course is designed in such a way that anyone interested & passionate about music & rhythm can learn from it & benefit immensely from this treasure trove of lessons.

Amrit has been conferred with several awards and titles like 'ARYABHATA YOUTH AWARD' 'KHANJIRA PRAVEENA' 'ANANYA YUVA PURASKARA' 'CMANA PRIZE - 2004' 'SALLARI GAANA LAYA VITTHGAR' 'YUVA KALA BHAARATI' 'LAYA PRATHIBHAMANI' 'NADAJYOTHI PURASKARA' 'GURUKALASRI' 'SATHYASHREE' 'LALITHA KALA SUMA' & others for his contribution in the field of Khanjira, Percussion & Rhythm.

Amrit stands as a bastion of Indian Percussion propagating & upholding the Classical Tradition throughout the world contributing enormously towards promoting the Khanjira, not just as a percussion instrument but also as a Solo Instrument as well as a versatile musical instrument in the International Music Scenario.