Baluji Shrivastav

Baluji Shrivastav OBE is an Indian multi-instrumentalist who was blinded at 8 months old and has become one of the world’s leading composers and sitar players. He has performed and recorded with some of the greatest tabla accompanists such as Anindo Chatterji and Ustad Fayaz Khan. He has worked with a wide variety of artists including Stevie Wonder, Massive Attack, Madness, Shakira, Malu, Boy George and the Doves. His latest stunning multi media composition - Antardrishti-Inner Vision, funded by an international commission from Unlimited and featuring his Inner Vision Orchestra of blind musicians, dancers and audio-visual artists Addictive TV was performed to great reception at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre in Sept 2018, followed by Delhi and at the Mumbai Opera House in collaboration with the British Council. Committed to improving the lives of blind and visually impaired people, Baluji and his wife, musician and writer Linda Shanson, established the Baluji Music Foundation in 2008 to recognise and support blind musicians. In 2016 Baluji was awarded GG2 award for Overcoming Adversity. For his services to music and as founder of Inner Vision Orchestra Baluji was awarded the OBE in the Queens 90th Birthday Honours List. In 2017, Times Group India awarded him the accolade of Non-Resident Indian of the year for Art and Culture. In 2019 Baluji  received the prestigious Hind Rattan Award-Jewel of India from the Indian Government