Baluji Shrivastav

Born in Usmanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Baluji Shrivastav began first studied music when he was sent away as a child to live and study at Ajmer Blind School after being blinded as a baby.

Shrivastav went on to graduate from University of Lucknow with a B.A. in Vocal Studies and Sitar. This was shortly followed by a further B.A. in Tabla and an M.A. in Sitar from Allahabad University.

Shrivastav is married to the jazz singer Linda Shanovitch.{{Cite web|title=Baluji Shrivastav & Re-Orient|url=https://www.arcmusic.co.uk/artists/baluji-shrivastav-and-re-orient.html|access-date=2020-10-19|website=World Music - ARC Music Productions International Limited}}

Shrivastav performs and records with a number of different ensembles including his own group Jazz Orient/Re-Orient which has released seven albums to date.{{when?|date=January 2022}} He joined Grand Union Orchestra in 1986, and has since recorded with many pop artists such as Boy George, Annie Lennox and Kylie Minogue.{{Cite web|title=Baluji Shrivistav - Grand Union Orchestra|url=http://grandunion.org.uk/baluji-shrivistav.php|access-date=2020-10-14|website=grandunion.org.uk}}

File:Baluji-shrivastav-cheltenham-jazz-festival-2025.jpg

In 2012, Shrivastav founded the Inner Vision Orchestra,{{cite web|title=Article from The Musician, Autumn 2012 edition; the Musician is the official magazine of the Musicians' Union|url=http://www.katienicholls.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MUM31.visual.pdf.pdf|publisher=The Musicians' Union|accessdate=31 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207154707/http://www.katienicholls.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MUM31.visual.pdf.pdf|archive-date=7 December 2012|url-status=dead}} comprising 14 blind musicians.{{cite news|title=Blind musicians lose their fear of the dark|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/may/28/inner-vision-orchestra-blind-musicians-tour|accessdate=31 May 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=28 May 2012}} The Inner Vision Orchestra was part funded by Arts Council England, the principal public funding body for the arts in England.{{cite web|title=Arts Council England web article about the Inner Vision Orchestra|url=http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/funded-projects/case-studies/lottery-funding-brings-visibility-blind-orchestra-inner-vision/|accessdate=31 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130223143/http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/funded-projects/case-studies/lottery-funding-brings-visibility-blind-orchestra-inner-vision/|archive-date=30 November 2012|url-status=dead}}

In 2012, Shrivastav performed at the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games alongside the British Paraorchestra and Coldplay.{{cite web|title=Paraorchestra Biography|url=http://www.paraorchestra.com/musicians|accessdate=31 May 2013}}{{cite web|title=Video of the British Paraorchestra with Coldplay at the Closing Ceremony of the 2012 Paralympic Games|url=http://www.paraorchestra.com/videos/british-paraorchestra-open-coldplay-closing-ceremony-2012-london-paralympics|accessdate=31 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213191450/http://www.paraorchestra.com/videos/british-paraorchestra-open-coldplay-closing-ceremony-2012-london-paralympics|archive-date=13 December 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

Shrivastav has performed and taught all over the world and has recorded a number of albums with a wide range of contemporary artists including Doves, Stevie Wonder, Massive Attack, BT, Annie Lennox, Oasis, Kaiser Chiefs, Guy Barker and Andy Sheppard.

Shrivastav was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2016 Birthday Honours for services to music.{{London Gazette|issue=61608|supp=y|page=B14|date=11 June 2016}}

In 2008, Shrivastav established the Baluji Music Foundation, a London-based charity which, as stated on their website, aims to promote "the understanding and enjoyment of music and performing arts from the Indian Sub-Continent in all its traditional and evolving forms". The Charity particularly welcomes the participation of disabled people in music, and has thus founded the Inner Vision Orchestra of blind and visually impaired musicians.

The Baluji Music Foundation is a charity registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales, number 1130985.

• Classical Indian Sitar & Surbahar Ragas – ARC Music (1999)
• Classical Indian Ragas: Shadow of the Lotus – ARC Music (2007)
• Indian in London – Colomna Musica (2008)
• Goddess – ARC Music (2010)
• The Art of the Indian Dilruba – ARC Music (2013)
• Re-Orient
• Undiscovered Time – ARC Music (1997)
• Seven Steps to the Sun – ARC Music (1999)
• Re-Orient – ARC Music (2006)
• Indian World Music Fusion – ARC Music (2010)
• Jazz Orient
• Dangerous Ground – TRG Music (1991)
• Live at the South Bank
• Bird Dancer – Guild Music (1998)

• Sea of Love – The Mission – Carved in Sand – Mercury Records (1990)
• Insha-Allah! (feat. Ofra Haza) – NASA – Sire – Warner Bros. Records (1990)
• The Miracle of Being – Capercaillie – Secret People – Arista (1994)
• Mizo to Abura (as Balugi) – Ken Morioka – Questions – XEO Invitation (1994)
• Volume V, Believe – Soul II Soul – Virgin Records America Inc. (1995)
• Face With Corn – Subsurfing – Frozen Ants – Apollo (1995)
• Let There Be Light (Hardfloor Dub) (as Belugi Shrivastav) – Mike Oldfield – The Songs of Distant Earth – Reprise Records (1995)
• Oi Muistatko Viela Sen Virren – Piirpauke – Ave Maria – Rockadillo Records (1996)
• Keltainen – Aikakone – Toiseen maailmaan – RCA (1996)
• The Rhythm Of Tides – Grand Union Orchestra – RedGold Records (1997)
• Now Comes The Dragon's Hour – Grand Union Orchestra – RedGold Records (2002)
• 12 For 12 – Grand Union Orchestra – RedGold Records (2011)
• If Paradise – Grand Union Orchestra – RedGold Records (2011)

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Category:1959 births

Category:Living people

Category:Indian jazz musicians

Category:University of Lucknow alumni

Category:Indian Officers of the Order of the British Empire

Category:Indian emigrants to the United Kingdom

Category:Naturalised citizens of the United Kingdom