Biography

Niladri Kumar is an unconventional prolific genius and a rare instrumentalist. He hones a unique repertoire that ranges from classical and traditional compositions on the sitar to electrifying and innovative renditions on the Zitar.  Niladri has successfully integrated the face of sitar and introduced it to the masses, especially the youths of today. With the purpose of pushing the boundaries of traditional music, he invented his own musical instrument – an electric sitar which he coined as zitar. The zitar has redefined the way traditional classical music is viewed, as it has a classical sound yet creates a fusion space. Zitar, has a wave sound but with a ripple which results in an inviting and explosive piece. Awards: Global Fusion - Hall of Fame Award Integral Part of the GRAMMY AWARD Winning Album - 'Global Drum Project' with Mickey Hart, Zakir Hussain and others Sangeet Natak Academy's - Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puruskar for Hindustani Instrumental Music Teacher's Achievement Award Rasikpriya & Lokpriya Award MN Mathur Smriti Kumbha Samman Title The Sanskriti Award GIMA Award for Best Instrumental Album 'AURA' & for 'SurYajna' The Jadubhatta Puruskar MTV IMMIES - Best Classical/Fusion Album 'IF' The Shanmukha Shiromani Award Surmani Award