Biography
Kala Ramnath
Maestro Kala Ramnath stands among the world’s most inspirational instrumentalists. Known globally for her uniquely expressive style known as the “Singing Violin,” she has redefined the role of the violin in Hindustani classical music while building bridges across musical cultures worldwide.
Her performances and compositions have appeared in internationally acclaimed projects including the Grammy-nominated Miles From India and the Grammy-winning album In 27 Pieces. Her work has also been featured in the Kronos Quartet’s 50 For The Future project.
Global Recognition
01
Top 50 Instrumentalists
UK-based Songlines Magazine named her among the 50 Greatest Instrumentalists in the World.
02
Top 50 Recordings
Her album “Kala” was selected as one of the 50 Best Recordings.
03
The Strad Feature
She became the first Indian violinist to be featured in The Strad, the most respected publication in the violin world.
04
Essay in The Encyclopedia-Rough Guide to World Music
She was the subject of a dedicated essay in The Encyclopedia-Rough Guide to World Music.
05
Film Soundtracks
Her musical contributions appear in international film soundtracks including the Oscar-nominated film Blood Diamond.
A Musical Legacy
Seven generations of musical excellence from one of India’s most distinguished violin dynasties.
01
Dynasty
Born into a distinguished musical dynasty, Kala Ramnath represents a lineage that has produced legendary violinists including Prof. T.N. Krishnan and Dr. N. Rajam.
02
Early Training
Her musical journey began under the guidance of her grandfather Vidwan A. Narayan Iyer, who recognized her extraordinary talent at an early age. Under his mentorship she began developing a violinistic voice that would later earn international acclaim.
03
Guru-Shishya Parampara
Kala later became the foremost disciple of the legendary vocalist Pandit Jasraj, whose influence played a pivotal role in shaping her musical philosophy and artistry.
04
The Singing Violin
During this period she developed a revolutionary approach to violin technique that closely emulated the nuances of the human voice — ultimately giving rise to her signature style known as the “Singing Violin.”
Musical Collaborations
A pioneering figure in global music collaborations, Kala Ramnath has worked with some of the most celebrated musicians and orchestras in the world.
→ London Symphony Orchestra
→ Béla Fleck
→ Edgar Meyer
→ Airto Moreira
→ Ustad Zakir Hussain
→ London Philharmonic Orchestra
→ George Brooks
→ Kai Eckhardt
→ Ray Manzarek (The Doors)
→ Abbos Kossimov
She has founded several innovative ensembles, including Raga Afrika, Global Conversation, and Yashila, which boldly fuse Indian classical music with jazz, flamenco, African traditions, and Western classical forms.
Over the years, she has also worked closely with major orchestras such as the London Symphony, London Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony, Hague Philharmonic, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada.
Her genre-crossing collaborations span world music and jazz icons including Ustad Zakir Hussain, Ray Manzarek of The Doors, Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Airto Moreira, and many others, reflecting her commitment to creating a truly global musical conversation.
Educator & Mentor
Alongside her performing career, Kala Ramnath is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring the next generation of musicians. She regularly leads masterclasses, lectures, and workshops around the world, sharing her insights with students and artists from diverse musical backgrounds.
She has also created www.indianclassicalmusic.com, an online repository and resource library dedicated to making the rich tradition of Indian classical music accessible to all.
Rotterdam Conservatory of Music
Netherlands MasterclassUniversity of Giessen
Germany MasterclassWeill Institute in association with Carnegie Hall
New York MasterclassAwards & Honors
Kala Ramnath has received numerous prestigious honors recognizing her exceptional contributions to Indian classical music.
🏆
Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar
2016 National Honor🏅
Rashtriya Kumar Gandharva Sanman
2008 Madhya Pradesh State Honor
🎖️
Pandit Jasraj Gaurav Puraskar
Artistic Excellence🎵
Sur Ratna Award, Rana Kumbha Sanman
Musical DistinctionShe has also received the prestigious TOP GRADE recognition from India’s national radio and television, making her one of the youngest artists ever to achieve this distinction.
Kalashree Foundation
Kalashree Foundation, started by Kala Ramnath, relies on the support of rasikas and well-wishers like you to continue its work in nurturing young talent and preserving our rich musical heritage.
Your contribution, no matter the size, helps us offer scholarships, workshops, and performance opportunities to deserving students who might otherwise never find a platform, and supports the ongoing development of indianclassicalmusic.com, our free online library for Indian classical music.
Kalashree Foundation also holds non-profit, tax-exempt status in both India and the USA, enabling donors in these countries to avail applicable tax benefits on their contributions.
If our work resonates with you, we warmly invite you to donate and become a partner in sustaining and sharing this timeless tradition.