Pandit S.Ballesh Bhajantri

Padma Shri Awarded Pandit S.Ballesh Bhajantri For Shehnai

Pandit S.Ballesh Bhajantri, a shehnai master, received the Padma Shri Award for his contributions to music. Pandit S.Ballesh Bhajantri, a Shehnai master and Hindustani vocalist, is originally from MK Hubli in the Belagavi District but now resides in Saligramam in Chennai. His entire first generation of family members played the shehnai in the area, and Ballesh has been able to trace his ancestry to court musicians who had extensive training.

Who is Pandit Dr S. Ballesh?

Pandit Dr. S. Ballesh, born Ballappa Sanna Bharamappa Bhajantri and also known as S. Ballesh Bhajantri (born on 1 April 1958) is an Indian classical Hindustani shehnai player. One of the most well-known disciples of shehnai player Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan, he is an expert in Benares Gharana shehnai playing, and a Patiala Gharana Hindustani vocalist, ghazal singer, Indian Playback singer and musician, often referred by the title Panditji and Bade Guruji. Ballesh is credited with popularizing the shehnai, a reeded woodwind instrument.

While the shehnai had long held importance as a folk instrument played in traditional ceremonies in India, Ballesh is credited with elevating its status and bringing it back to the centre stage. He plays often for Prasar Bharati’s All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan.

On the eve of the 73rd Republic Day in 2022, the President of India presented him with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, in the field of art. He was the second Indian classical musician, after Ustad Bismillah Khan, to earn the honour.