PRAVEEN D. RAO

Praveen D. Rao is a versatile multi-instrumentalist with an international reputation based in Bangalore. Trained by Pt. RV SheshadriGavai of AravindaSangeetha and table maestro Pt. RavindraYavagal, he is equally at home on a range of percussion, keyboards and electronic media.

As a composer, Praveen has created a style of his own in creative music. Over the last sixteen years he has composed scores for theatre, ballet, film and television. As an arranger, he is known for his creativity in fusing Hindusthani music, Carnatic music with Western techniques and has arranged background scores for various films for acclaimed music directors like Vid. Lalgudi G. Jayaraman, Vid. L. Vaidyanathan, C. Ashwath etc. He has also had the privilege to work with great theatre personalities like Sri A. S. Murthy, Sri B.V. Karanth, B. Jayashri etc.

In 2006 spring, he manned the role of Script Writer, Stage Director and Music Composer for TEARS OF FIRE, a dance and physical theatre production which toured nationally in The United Kingdom.

He has recently launched an international music band named EARTH ‘n’ BEAT performing South Asian Contemporary Music. The Band premiered at the Saddlers Wells Theatre in London along with playback singer Hariharan. It has performed at various festivals in the UK including the Sangeetham festival, London, Birmingham Arts Fest 2006, The Liverpool Tourism Awards ceremony 2006 etc.

Praveen D. Rao has conducted workshops and performed at various National and International music and dance festivals like PATTADAKAL FESTIVAL, NAVARASPUR FESTIVAL, LORD MAYOR’S CULTURAL EVENT 1994 (BIRMINGHAM), WORLD VEERASHAIVA CONFERENCE 1997 (U.S.A.), WORLD KONKANI CONFERENCE 2002 (TEXAS), SOORYA FESTIVAL, NISHAGANDHI FESTIVAL etc.