Niranjan Raghupati Hegde

Niranjan Hegde hails from a culturally rich place called Manchikeri, a small hamlet tucked away in the greeneries of the Western Ghat region in the Uttara Kannada district.
Mancikeri has gifted many well-known artistes like Pt. Ganapathi Bhat, Hasanagi; Pt Shripad Hegde, Campli; and Shri Nagaraj Hegde Shiranala to the music world. Now Nirnajan is showing all signs of a very promising budding flautist.
Born on 24th March 1992 to Shri Raghupati Hegde and Shrimati Mahadevi Hegde, Nirnajan grew up listening to the sound of music that was in the air all the time at his birth place. People in and around Manchikeri get to enjoy music in a range of forms, from Yakshagana shows to Hindustani Classical Music concerts. Niranjan was drawn to towards the fascinating steps of dance as well as the mesmerizing sound of musical early on. He started learning Bharat Natyam and Yakshagana when he was a child. But at the age of 12, he became more attracted towards Bansuri or flute, played by his cousin.
Niranjan’s parents supported his interest and his training in flute in Hindustani music commenced in the Gurukul tradition under the able guidance of Shri Nagaraj Hegde (one of the senior most disciples of Pt Venkatesh Godkhindi) at Gokula Bansuri Gurukula, Shiranala.
Under his Guru Nagaraj Hegde, Niranjan has been training for the past nine years in the Kirana Gharana Gayaki style. In this style, playing of flute is similar to vocal music. Niranjan has mastered the style and is emerging as a bright rising star in flute playing.
Performances:
Nirnjan Hegde has given solo performances on various platforms, including Oudumbar, Sangli, Maharashtra and Shrimata Saraswati Sheshagiri Kamat Nitya Sangeetotsav, Bangalore.
He has also accompanied his Guru on various stages in and outside Karnataka.
He was a guest flutist for the troupe, Bhrame, the musical illusionists, in many of its stage shows.
Being a member of Karnataka Film Music Society, Bangalore, he performed in Ganeshotsava, Bangalore 2013 as part its team.