Pandit Vinayak Torvi is a renowned khayal vocalist from Karnataka who blends the Kirana, Gwalior, and Agra gharanas. He studied under his father, an expert in Harikatha (musical storytelling), and then legendary maestro Pandit Bhimsen Joshi ("The idea of such a schooling was to shed the ego and learn to surrender. Music happens only when there is total faith. So, even if the guru said West is East, and East is West, we did not question him"). Today he tours the world, bringing Hindustani classical singing to new audiences, and also takes time to teach and lecture.

"You stayed with the guru and served him: it didn’t matter if you were the son of a king, or a minister, or an ordinary citizen. All were equal in that space."

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