On this episode, Laura Chandler interviews Rajeev Taranath, one of India’s foremost classical musicians and a master of the sarod. At 87 years old, his career has spanned over four decades and drawn accolades from critics and audiences throughout the world. Rajeev is a distinguished disciple of the late legendary maestro Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, and was part of Khan’s musical family that included the great sitarists Ravi Shankar and Shrimati Annapurna Devi. Laura and Rajeev talk about Rajeev’s expansive career, perspectives on music and creativity, and his call to Indian Classical Music.

Rajeev has received many honors, including India’s highest government award in the arts, the esteemed Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2000. He has written music for several films and received critical acclaim for his deep introspective style. Edward Rothstein of The New York Times states, “Rajeev Taranath’s sarod improvisations mixed the spiritual and the spirited…and proceeded into an exuberant rhythmic celebration.” A noted linguist, Rajeev speaks eight languages fluently. Currently living in Mysore, India, Rajeev travels worldwide teaching and performing. To learn more about Rajeev, visit rajeevtaranath.com.