Santhosh Chandran

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Santhosh Chandran is a professional guitarist based out of the Kochi, Kerala. Santhosh started learning the melodious sounds of guitar at tender age of eight. Santhosh's father was a great influence to him; he guided him in the Carnatic music scene. Santhosh started taking formal training in guitar from Mr Badarudheen at Thirumukham Sangeetha Sabha. At 12 years of age, Santhosh had already started playing with professional artists. Santhosh also stood a chance to play with playback singer Edava Basheer. The association continued and he was able to support Edava when Baiju Dharmarajan left him. Santhosh has also given music scores for TV serials and telefilms. He worked in the background music for the serial 'Ushus', directed by Rajeev Rangan. He has also worked with director Swathi Bhaskar. Rony Manappallil, a rock singer, helped Santhosh move to Mangalore in the year 1993. He got an opening in the rock band '7th Galaxy', the next year. He also moved to Kochi and created a band with John Thomas, of the band Motherjane, for a short span. Santhosh later joined the 13AD band as a lead guitarist when Eloy Issac exited the band. He also got a chance to perform with the band in the Middle East. During his stay in Muscat, Santhosh met Mr John Hardie (jazz pianist) and Mr Salvatore (Italian classical guitarist), who mentored him to learn the Jazz genre. Santhosh formed the band 'Velvetters' with Salha Albusaidy (East African jazz singer) and Mark Gresty (bassist). The band did gigs in Dubai and Lebanon, and in other Middle Eastern countries. He also joined the trio band 'Down Beat Jazz' in the year 2005 with Merwyn and Sax NIck Foster in Muscat. Santhosh did the Grade 8 and ATCL Diploma in classical guitar from the Trinity College of Music, London and started teaching guitar in British School, Harmony Institute, and Classic Music and Arts Institute. Tripthi Chakraborthy and Khalid Sahab taught him about Hindustani music. He has also been privileged to perform with the Hindustani classical vocal veteran, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Sahib.