I was born into a family of renowned musicians in Bangalore, India. I am the fifth-generation musician in my family. My great-great-grandfather and great-grandfather were proficient Veena players, while my grandfather was a highly acclaimed violinist in the country. My father and uncle are percussionists, and my mother is a classical Indian vocalist. With such a rich musical lineage, my home was always filled with the sounds of music.

 

I initially learned violin for a few years but found myself deeply drawn to percussion. I began learning the Mridangam under the guidance of my father, Vid. Anoor Dattatreya Sharma. My fascination with the Kanjira started when my cousin, Vinod Shyam Anoor, introduced me to its techniques and encouraged me to play it in a concert soon after. That moment inspired me to take up the Kanjira seriously and dedicate myself to practicing it.

 

To deepen my understanding, I pursued advanced studies in Indian rhythms with my uncle, Vid. Anoor Anantha Krishna Sharma. I closely observed the great masters of the Kanjira, drawing inspiration from their artistry, and practiced tirelessly to hone my craft. Over the past 11 years, I have played the Kanjira in more than 1,000 concerts, both as a solo performer and as an accompanist.

 

My musical journey has led me to work with various symphonies, ensembles, and film scores across diverse genres. While my music is rooted in the core principles of Indian Carnatic music, I also draw influence from Hindustani, jazz, Latin, and folk traditions. I am often recognized for my spontaneous stage performances and my unique sound, which has evolved over the years.

 

In 2018, I performed with the “Amithias Project” and the HR Big Band in Frankfurt, Germany, under the direction of Matthias Schreifl on trumpet. I’ve also collaborated with several notable international musicians, including Matthias Schreifl, Sarah Buechi, Lars Andreas Haug, Sebastian Merk, Alex Morsey, Hami Keivan, Apoorva Krishna, Jurek Maczynski, Amith Nadig, Varijashree, and others.