Aarnav Hastantram: A Biography

Aarnav Hastantram, a young musical virtuoso, has been captivating audiences with his exceptional talent and versatility. His journey began at a young age, when he started exploring the world of music by learning to play the piano, guitar (Electric and Classical) and trumpet. As he grew, his musical interests expanded, and he began to delve into other instruments as well such as the Organ, Veena and various sorts of Tuned Percussion such as Marimbas and Vibraphones.

Under the guidance of his mother, Esha Ramesh, Aarnav also immersed himself in Traditional Carnatic music, starting his training at the age of 8. He learnt many compositions with no training or professional teaching as he has a flair of picking up entire Musical Compositions from listening to other musicians. He then continued his Carnatic journey by learning complex Jathiswarams, Varanams, Krithis and Thillanas. He also learnt the Veena very soon, and loves to arrange and work with other musicians and vocalists. 

Aarnav also recently published his new album, by arranging a collection of Western compositions into Indian Carnatic Songs, a concept that has never been recreated since the 18th Century like Muthuswamy Dikshitar. The album: "East Meets West" is a unique compilation of Western classical compositions arranged by Aarnav himself into the Indian Carnatic form, showcasing his ability to bridge musical traditions.  He has created this Album with an intense stage of planning and focused attention to the structure of each song. Some of the songs are structured like Indian Classical Alapanes and some are structured like Gethams and Jathiswarams. This has never been done before in the History of Music. Muthusamy Dikshitar composed a set of Nottuswarams all in one raagam, Shankarabharanam. However "East Meets West" captures a variety of Ragas, respectful towards the Indian Compositional System and the original Western Music. This album professionally recorded, utilises Swarams as a key important part of the conversion into Indian Music. Aarnav's ability to bridge Western and Indian musical traditions is a testament to his musical versatility and his deep understanding of both cultures. His arrangements of Western classical compositions into the Indian Carnatic form showcase his innovative approach and his commitment to preserving and promoting both musical traditions.

Aarnav started to pursue Western Classical Singing only at the age of 11 and within a span of 2 years, he has successfully completed ABRSM Grade 8 Singing with distinction and is looking to do ARSM Diploma in Higher Education to pursue a career in Music. He also released another album, called "Il Primo", which is a collection of Western classical compositions spanning from the 16th century onwards, featuring renowned composers such as Handel, Mozart, Caccini, Purcell, Fauré, Poulenc, and Puccini. This album explores the variety of repertoire  and songs from European Opera, Classical Music, Religious Church music and many more. The Album features 14 Tracks of Music from all over Europe, with languages including: Italian, English, Latin and French from the very popular and well known composers from the Western Classical tradition. The tracks were recorded professionally in a church at Oxford, United Kingdom. 

His passion for music led him to explore composition, and he began creating his own pieces at the age of 10. Aarnav launched his own YouTube channel, "MusicManAH," where he shares his compositions every Friday. He composes and arranges music very often in both Indian and Western Musical traditions. He has written orchestral works all the way to works for Quintets, Quartets and also Individual Instruments as well.  Aarnav's ability to create his own compositions at a young age is a testament to his musical creativity and innovation. His exploration of different musical styles and his ability to blend Western and Indian elements demonstrate his deep understanding and appreciation for music. His dedication and talent have earned him recognition at various places.

Beyond his musical accomplishments, Aarnav is a keen language learner. He quotes, "As a Singer, I must have a good capability in all Languages I sing in, so I can understand what the music is about and can read and pronounce the music correctly and respect the language". He has a excellent capability in singing in French, German, Italian, and Latin, as well as singing in various Indian languages like Kannada, Tamizh and Telugu. His musical abilities have allowed him to explore different cultural perspectives and enrich his linguistic understanding.

As Aarnav continues to grow and develop as a musician, it will be exciting to see what he achieves in the years to come. His talent, passion, and dedication are sure to lead him to great heights. Aarnav's impact on the world of music is undeniable. His journey is a testament to the power of music to inspire, connect, and enrich lives.

Aarnav Hastantram's extraordinary talent, combined with his passion for music, positions him as a rising star in the world of classical music in the Indian and Western Genres. His journey is a testament to his dedication, creativity, and unwavering pursuit of excellence.

Send me an email - aarnavhastantram@thearts.network