Shri Gurdev Singh

Gurdev Singh is one of the world's foremost exponents of the Sarod. He is disciple of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and is well-known internationally through his performances in the USA, Canada, India and UK.

Gurdev Singh was born on 15th January 1948 in India. He began learning music at the age of seven under Ustad Tara Singh and Piara Singh who taught him Dilruba, a bowed instrument of great antiquity, which Gurdev still plays occasionally with great brilliance. He is also trained in vocal music under Mahadeo prasad in both contemporary and the traditional Dhrupad style.

In 1967 Gurdev became a disciple of the world famous Sarod Maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan in Delhi and was introduced to the Sarod with the Holy patronage of H.H. Shri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji. The Sarod is an extremely demanding instrument to handle, partly because it is fretless. It is capable of an extraordinary range of sounds, from haunting sweetness to dazzling speed and power.

His success can be measured by his popularity in India, in both live and radio concerts, and by the increasing international demand for his performances, especially in the U.K. His U.K performances have included the BBC, Midland TV, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Bath and Oxford University, the 1984 Liverpool garden festival and South Bank. In North America he has played in Vancouver, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle University and the prestigious Amir Khusro Society in Chicago. He has also visited Switzerland, Denmark, Darmstadt festival in Germany and other European countries. Every year Gurdev Performs in major festivals held all over India.

Gurdev Singh has recently released a CD with ARC Music called "The Art Of Indian Sarod" of Germany adding to his other CDs and records collection.

As well as being a superlative musician Gurdev Singh is also extremely charming and sociable person who has his way of winning the hearts of his audiences with his warmth and humour. He has a large body of dedicated students here in England, to whom he has given much of his time.

A selection of photos of Gurdev Singh with his distinguished and world reknowned peers of the Indian Classical Music universe is shown below, please click on an image to see an enlarged version...