Rockin' Raga Guitarist: Ravi Iyer | Artist Shoutout

Based out of Mumbai, critically acclaimed guitarist-composer Ravi Iyer began his musical journey by learning the tabla during his childhood from his guru the late Shri V. Acharekar. Iyer won a gold medal for his solo tabla at an inter-school competition. Later, inspired by guitar virtuoso and his idol Ritchie Blackmore, he took up the guitar and since then, there’s been no looking back.

Iyer was tutored by the late Bismarck Rodriguez, Christopher Rodrigues and John Timothy and went on to co-form his first band Witchhammer during the early 90s, later forming classic rock band Vayu (1997) and an alternative band Para Vayu (2008).

His fusion albums include ‘Rockin’ Raga Street’, ‘Wings of a Dream’, ‘Soul Alive’ (a live album), ‘Bends’, which was nominated as Best Fusion Album at the GIMA Awards 2013. His album ‘Raga Punch’ won an award for excellence in Recording Arts at IRAA Awards 2016 held at Palm Expo.

With his fusion band, he has headlined at The Taehwa River International Jazz Festival in Ulsan (South Korea), The Indian Embassy New York (USA) and every other prestigious music festival in India.

Apart from his solo projects in his over 3 decade career, he has shared the stage with his biggest influences in the world from the fusion genre like Dr.L.Subramaniam, Fazal Qureshi, Padmabhushan Vikku Vinayakram, Louiz Banks, Shivamani and many others. He has also composed and produced the signature music for Hexaware and Warriors Touch.

Instead of sporting an office tie, there is a double-necked guitar slung around his neck, as he goes around spreading his fusion guitar experiment, staying true to the essence of his project, fusing Hindustani classical compositions with other genres, with an emphasis on the guitar.

Iyer is known as a passionate and committed independent artist and performs with his solo guitar fusion project and other collaborative musical ventures. As a music educator, he gives private guitar lessons online at his Ravi Iyer Academy.

An avid record collector, Iyer had also done a vinyl podcast sometime back; do check out his website www.raviiyerfusion.com

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