Ten Fingers & Blessings

Balu's national stardom is for his unrivalled genius as a percussionist. He makes his percussions dance and sing with groups playing pop, rock and fusion music.

Balu lives in Madras with his wife and one daughter. Balu has worked with lot of Indian Film Composers say, L.Vaidyanathan, Ilaiyaraaja, A.R.Rehman, and many more. He has also worked for French films and documentry films etc. Balu is doing lot of Jazz, Pop & Fusion shows along with Funky Bodhi Music Band.

He has never taken his music to a field where he don't fit in. He don't wear sequinned jackets, knees length boots or prance on the stage like a rock star. For the past 16 years as a professional travelling musician.

[ Balu with 'Vikku' Vinayakram at Brahma live concert ]

'Vikku' Vinayakram-Grammy Award winner has certified Balu as the best Indian Percussionist by presenting this letter last year during the Music Festival

In an interview he said wherever he travels he use to practice his percussions in his hotel room. Constant practice is a crucial factor not just to make sure hands remain supple, but also to make sure you remain aware of your roots, you are proud of your tradition, you are happy to stay tuned to it. You believe in it, you know the power of your heritage. Then you are not afraid to display that pride, your involvement gets acts for the audience.

He said in his formative years I spent many many years with a man called 'Vikku' Vinayakram and I was introduced to Ustad Zakir Hussain by Vikku uncle. He also said 'not to sit on the stage and say, I know this.

His favourite Guru is Zakir Hussain who had a similar approach and I saw what he achieved. But I had to still watch myself with senior artists like Ustad Zakir, Ustad Shafat Ahmed Khan, Ustad Aunindo Chatterjee, Ustad Swapan Choudri, Ghatam Maestro 'Vikku' Vinayak ram etc.

He has been doing the fusion music since he got a break to play with the great master 'Vikku' Vinayakram from 1991. Infact he has travelled and played lot of live shows with Vikku uncle within India.

Balu said one thing very clearly the "I am a firm believer in getting involved all the way if I am doing something".