Ghatam Udupa Biography 
Ghatam Udupa is an Indian musician and percussionist who performs ghatam – a musical instrument. Apart from classical music, he is also associated with folk and world music and is deeply interested in fusion music. He is one of the members of Layatharanga, associated with this move. A patron of music, he founded ‘The Udupa Foundation’ – a charitable trust in 2015 to promote music and serves as its director too.
Ghatam Giridhar Udupa was born on 17 November 1980 in Bangalore, Karnataka. He belongs to a family of rich musical traditions and many of his family members are artists mostly associated with music. His father Vidwan Ullur Nagendra Udupa is a Mridangam artist. He was initiated to the world of music by his father at the age of four, who gave him early musical lessons as well. Later he continued training in different musical instruments from other gurus as well. He learnt Carnatic tradition of playing all the four musical accompanies - Mridangam, Ghatam, Kanjira and Morsing. But as time passed by he concentrated most on Ghatam.
Currently Giridhar Udupa is one of the leading artists of Ghatam belonging to present day generation. Sukanya Ramgopal and Ghatam V.Suresh are among his gurus who helped him to master the musical instrument, Ghatam. He completed his graduation, yet continued with his musical journey. Apart from giving solo performances, he mostly performs in collaboration with other artists, and also accompanies leading Carnatic vocalists for their live music concerts. He has also performed in several musical festivals in different parts of the country as well as abroad.
This talented young musician has received numerous titles, awards and honours including Yuva Laya Prathibhamani, Ananya Yuva Puraskara, Nadajyothi Puruskara etc. In year 2000, he received First Prize at the National Level All India Radio Competition. He was conferred with title "Yuva Kala Bharathi" by Bharath Kalachar, Chennai in 2004.
Published: January 17, 2019
Updated: January 17, 2019
