Padmashree Pt. Satish Vyas (Santoor) - Swar-wadya/ Vocal

 

Pandit Satish Vyas, a renowned Santoor Maestro of India blessed with a formidable musical background and training, thanks to both his father and his guru, has build an outstanding reputation as a soloist on the Santoor (hammered dulcimer). His first fortune was to be born the son of Padma Bhushan Late Pandit C. R. Vyas, one of the most respected vocalists on the Indian music scene, a fine and highly knowledgeable performer who was the young Satish's first teacher. His second was to be accepted as a disciple by the great Padma Vibhushan Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma - a man so identified with his instrument that classical Indian santoor playing is unthinkable without Shiv Kumar Sharma's contribution to the art. Satish Vyas is currently perhaps the best known and the most accomplished classical santoor player after Shivji himself.

Born on 16th November 1952, Satish started learning vocal music from his father at the age of 14 as a result of listening to a Santoor recital.

Although his initial grounding took place in the idiom of his father's lingo as it were, it was to Santoor that young Satish's heart was set. At the request of his father, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma took Satish on as his disciple. The combination of training under both his father and Shivji has given Satish an ability to display gayaki ang as well as layakari / tantrakari ang in his Santoor playing.

Satish Vyas has a number of recordings to his credit with labels such as UK-based Navras Records, Sony Music, Music Today, Times Music and BMG Crescendo. His title releases to-date with Navras Records include "Strings Of Your Soul" (NRCD 0061, Ragas Malkauns & Sohini), Raga Marwa (NRCD 0074), and "Cascade" (NRCD 0103, Raga Jog) and "Dreamwaves" (NRCD 0138, Raga Kalavati) & Moods of Yoga(Set of 4 CD's)

Before taking the decision to make music his profession, Satish Vyas had completed his education with a Bachelor's degree(B.Sc) in Mathematics followed by Master's degrees in Statistics(M.Sc.) and then Business Administration(MBA). On the back of this very strong and sound academic background he began to establish a career in the business world. His corporate career took him to work with rather well known organisations such as ICICI, NCPA, Philips and HMV. At NCPA, he had the fortune to work with Pu La Deshpande. At HMV(now known as Sa Re GaMa), he was a Consultant. Over the past ten years he has been a Director of Navras Records in India. Navras is a prestigious classical and traditional music label, originally set up in London, UK and whose large repertoire is distributed in India through Sony Nâd label of Sony Music.

 

Given his exposure to the Corporate world, his global travel on concert tours and his involvement with the music fraternity and industry, Satish has developed a unique personality. He has very highly developed inter-personal skills and sensitivity as well as an understanding of the practical world of business. Combining these with his music prowess has resulted in his success and acknowledgement in the world of Indian classical music as a very significant, multi-faceted and much-respected individual. Not only the general public but also the music connoisseurs, musicians and critics think of him as a musician with substance and unrivalled versatility.

This varied background is no doubt of tremendous use to him in his work as a major and one of the most successful organisers of classical music festivals in India, and indeed as Artistic Director of Navras Records in India. Satish Vyas has perhaps a unique claim to have organised and promoted one of the most successful and respected music festival on an All-India basis, covering 5 major metropolitan centres. The Gunidas Sangeet Sammelan, established in the memory of his father Pandit C. R. Vyas's Guru, has recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, another unique milestone of its kind! Starting out as an organiser / promoter without any expectation, he has propagated classical music by presenting concerts in the traditional way. Not only has he presented all the major maestros of the time, but he has made a point of also providing a respected platform for younger artistes - something acknowledged by senior musicians like Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Kishori Amonkar, Ustad Zakir Hussain and many more. By his pluralistic approach, he has promoted musicians and music of quality – something that has gained a substantial following among music lovers across India, who patronise his festivals.

In his role as Director and Advisor to Navras Records, he has brought his tremendous experience, knowledge and vision in substantially developing the presence and acknowledgement of the label's repertoire in India (through Sony Music) but also provided access to sourcing of fresh recordings, developing additional connections and developing strategic vision.
Satish Vyas is also recognised by musicians and those that know him well as having set a standard envied by many parents and Gurus in the manner in which he has conducted himself in relation to his parents, specifically his father and first Guru (Pita – Mata Seva) as well as his Guru, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma (Guru Seva), consistent with the old values and traditions of his sanskar and parampara. He has also carried the tradition of teaching and has a number of disciples in India and the US.

Pandit Satish Vyas was honoured with Padma Shri by The Government Of India.