Sanjeev Chimmalgi

Sanjeev Chimmalgi is one of the most prominent and promising Hindustani classical singers of the new generation. He has been singing professionally since his early twenties and has performed all over India as well as in the US, the UK and Spain.

Sanjeev's concerts are noted for their fluidity and grace - his forte being a highly sophisticated treatment of the Raga and the delicacy of his approach to both svar and bol. His presentation speaks volumes of the cherished values of the Indian classical music tradition viz. simplicity, lucidity and refinement. Sanjeev Chimmalgi's singing style showcases an uncanny ability where he is able to weave the various important aspects of the Kirana, Gwalior and Agra gharanas. He has also been an avid explorer of popular forms such as bhajan, sugam sangeet, film-song and contemporary fusion.

In 1991, Sanjeev became a 'Ganda-bandh' disciple of the master vocalist and doyen among teachers Padmabhushan Pandit CR Vyas. In the Ganda-bandhan ceremony, held on April 27th, the Guru Pt. CR Vyas, accepted Sanjeev as his Shishya in the august presence of luminaries like Pandit Jasraj, Pandit SCR Bhat and Pandit JV Bhatkhande. On this day, Sanjeev also gave his first public performance. This was the day Sanjeev decided to take up music as his full-time vocation. Under the able guidance of his guru Sanjeev learned nuances of raga-shastra (principles of raga), development and techniques. Not wasting a single opportunity of being with his mentor, he travelled all over India with Vyas-ji giving him vocal support and in the process getting hands-on training in stage performance.

Eclecticism being one of the core facets of Sanjeev's personality he has always been fascinated by Carnatic music and in 2001 started learning from famous Carnatic Guru in Mumbai Smt. T. R. Balamani. For the past 3 years he has also been taking advanced lessons from popular Flautist and vocalist Shri S. Balachander. While Smt. Balamani trains Sanjeev in Varnams and Kritis, Balachander sir has been getting Sanjeev ready for performance. The coming years should see Sanjeev emerge as a Carnatic performer too.

Sanjeev was born on July 29, 1972 into a music loving family. His grandfather, Chimmalgi Master was a great tabla artiste and celebrated 'rasika' (an important category in the musical firmament) of Dharwad, Karnataka. Dharwad is recognized as one of the most important centres around which Hindustani Classical music evolved over the past two centuries. Sanjeev's father, M.V. Chimmalgi was also a great rasika and a pioneer in promoting classical music in Navi Mumbai (New Bombay). His untiring efforts in this direction left an indelible impression on Sanjeev, sparking in him a deep love and devotion for Classical music.