--- title: "My Musical Journey: Mentors and Milestones with Varijashree Venugopal" description: "Explore the musical journey of Varijashree Venugopal. From Carnatic fusion performances to Grammy recognition, see the heart behind the music and performance." canonical: https://mytribe.in/varijashree/live-music-performances/a-journey-of-gratitude-mentors-milestones last_updated: 2025-09-13 --- # My Musical Journey: Mentors and Milestones Tribe Verified · From Carnatic roots to Grammy nomination By [Varijashree Venugopal](https://mytribe.in/varijashree) · Available for shows in Bengaluru & across India · ₹3L per performance (75-90 mins) (estimate) Part of [Live Music Performances](https://mytribe.in/varijashree/live-music-performances). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/varijashree/live-music-performances/gallery) Music has taken me from the quiet practice rooms of my childhood to the global stage. This is a collection of the moments and mentors that define my path. ## Photos and videos - ![A collection of moments from my first Grammy Awards experience. From posing on the red carpet to celebrating with my genius friends Jacob Collier and Anoushka Shankar, it was a week filled with love, music, and immense gratitude.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/27c60714-92e0-4ef7-9a4f-0d91c742a165) - ![Holding my first ever Grammy nominee medal. This is a symbol of a dream come true, and a reminder of the hard work, pure intention, and the incredible support from my musical family.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8c39de08-59ab-48aa-8a72-ca0b9fb41117) - ![Celebrating my Grammy nomination with a special photoshoot. I'm wearing a stunning ensemble created by my talented friends, which celebrates Indian fabrics and design. This was a family project, filled with love.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/039cac9d-2053-49a8-8b75-762cf6651e49) - ![A duplicate of image 5, celebrating my Grammy nomination with a special photoshoot. I'm wearing a stunning ensemble created by my talented friends, which celebrates Indian fabrics and design. This was a family project, filled with love.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c35d4b0e-e5ff-41cf-b8c0-c16dd2d2e331) - ![A duplicate of image 5, celebrating my Grammy nomination with a special photoshoot. I'm wearing a stunning ensemble created by my talented friends, which celebrates Indian fabrics and design. This was a family project, filled with love.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e700ec80-29b9-4b4f-a5dc-950056533736) - ![A duplicate of image 5, celebrating my Grammy nomination with a special photoshoot. I'm wearing a stunning ensemble created by my talented friends, which celebrates Indian fabrics and design. This was a family project, filled with love.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f7c93956-b818-4c06-a656-7e057312431d) - ![A back view of the beautiful jacket I wore for my Grammy nominee medal ceremony. The design incorporates traditional Indian elements, which I was proud to represent on a global stage.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/72ae3544-cf38-4ab7-bc7b-342cae78fd74) - ![An evening with some of the most creative and impactful music makers in the world. Meeting heroes like Arooj Aftab and Anoushka Shankar at the Grammy nominee event was incredibly inspiring.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0ad27a65-f415-418f-bb09-a5ad392cbd0c) - ![A proud moment with my friend and fellow Grammy nominee. Holding our medals together was a celebration of our shared passion for music.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/86a03834-537f-42ef-ac8e-20fcb561a615) - ![With the brilliant Anoushka Shankar at the Grammys. It was an honor to share a nomination with her and celebrate this monumental moment together.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e08b4809-d915-42f9-8738-2fa5a6308e76) - ![A beautiful photo with Anoushka Shankar and the legendary Béla Fleck. Being in the company of such musical giants is a humbling and joyous experience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fbf471d3-70cc-43ec-b24a-cc0154a41fe2) - [Video: A precious memory of my first meeting with the master, Herbie Hancock. He is a true luminary, and having the chance to sit with him at the piano was an experience I will cherish forever.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2f8ce27b-23a9-4b5d-bbed-35d7a017b988) - [Video: A hug with the one and only Herbie Hancock. This moment was a dream come true, a gift of a humbling experience that fills my heart with warmth and gratitude.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3dea2270-6863-4ecf-8d7a-f0b2a918aae9) - ![A photo of Herbie Hancock signing an autograph for me. His kindness and generosity are as immense as his musical genius.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e62a9dc0-5b68-43a5-93ca-0ebc7415dbf7) - ![A smiling photo with the master, Herbie Hancock, at his piano. These are the moments that inspire me to keep learning and growing as a musician.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e9ce22b7-0c6e-426e-a42b-dd4be890e77e) - ![A couple of precious hours singing and sharing joy with the legendary Bobby McFerrin and his group, MOTION. His approach to vocal improvisation has been a huge inspiration for me.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8fff923a-eaad-413d-9f8d-9b0b5207a9a4) - [Video: A beautiful, spontaneous musical moment with the incredible Brazilian mandolin player, Hamilton de Holanda. Music is a language that connects us across cultures.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/432ac477-454e-426f-802d-b9296c90bdc0) - [Video: A warm message from my brother, the magnificent musician Hamilton de Holanda. It was an honor to have his sublime talent on my album 'Vari'.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8776c777-0315-46c2-935c-e08ba1b9191a) - [Video: A wonderful message from the legendary bassist Victor Wooten. I was so lucky to have him play on my album, and his words of encouragement mean the world to me.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8d25262e-0ad0-4568-9b53-ec2802ac1232) - [Video: A message from the banjo master, Béla Fleck, who played on my song 'Ranjani'. Hearing him talk about his process of finding his home in my music was fascinating and deeply gratifying.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fa1081a2-5c11-4a25-a91b-9b88bdab7204) - ![Moments from 'Suvarna Venu', an event celebrating 50 years of my Appa's journey as a musician and Guru. It was a joy to see his legacy and our Guru Parampara celebrated with so much love.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/567b679f-b822-4443-914a-f3e4da1a5dbe) - ![My Appa, Vidwan H S Venugopal, holding a bouquet of roses at his 50-year celebration. His dedication as a musician and teacher is my greatest inspiration.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9053248d-82cd-40d5-a6db-4ba8a00067fc) - ![A respected elder speaking at my Appa's 'Suvarna Venu' celebration. The room was filled with positive vibrations and love from friends, family, and well-wishers.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a4dbdd03-6d97-4501-90cf-4f3b4ff11d06) - ![A beautiful photo taken to celebrate my Grammy nomination. The joy and pride in this moment are a testament to the hard work and support of my entire team.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0b8467a5-d73f-4778-a53b-a536cc6b6fff) - ![A duplicate of image 11, a beautiful photo taken to celebrate my Grammy nomination. The joy and pride in this moment are a testament to the hard work and support of my entire team.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2ef63cb5-8c57-4547-b904-51ef97782f07) - ![A duplicate of image 11, a beautiful photo taken to celebrate my Grammy nomination. The joy and pride in this moment are a testament to the hard work and support of my entire team.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4399f2df-9392-4e18-a44d-d3c16159cc7e) - ![A fun, celebratory shot after my Grammy nomination was announced. Moments like these are for celebrating with the people who believe in you.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ebdcf374-cdec-4598-b1ba-70549849cb99) - ![A feature in ELLE magazine, telling the story of my musical journey from a young age. It was humbling to see my story shared with a wider audience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5791176a-33fb-43a9-aeb9-62bf3aca3e17) - ![A close-up from my ELLE magazine feature. The article beautifully captured my journey from a child prodigy to a Grammy-nominated artist.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/05db5965-8db3-46c4-9a05-163369026022) - ![Another shot from the ELLE magazine feature. I'm grateful for the opportunity to talk about my passion for Carnatic music and its fusion with other genres.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/944582a1-11ed-4b03-816c-79ce95ee787c) - ![A quote from my ELLE interview about how I started identifying Carnatic ragas as a toddler. It's a reminder that music has always been an inseparable part of my life.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/39ebc015-ed01-401c-9870-bdbae4018fe8) - ![An article from the Bangalore Mirror about my album 'Vari' and my Grammy nomination. It's always special to be recognized in my hometown newspaper.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dd15189a-f5d2-4825-bb16-f5a0809f952c) - [Video: A clip from a Kannada podcast where I discuss the meaning of 'sadhane' (achievement). For me, it's not about success, but about the daily, dedicated practice and love for the art form.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c7ab37ed-5b2a-40b0-908e-13888d000bd8) - [Video: A video from 2017 where I sing John Coltrane's solo on 'Giant Steps'. This experiment opened up a new universe of music for me and changed me as a student of Indian Classical Music.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8c37ea82-b8ea-41d6-81a5-22325c589893) - [Video: Memories from the MAHABHARATA project residency in Italy. This project was a beautiful blend of music, movement, and theatre, bringing together artists from different disciplines and cultures.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e32474ca-638c-4434-adf3-21d5fa292407) ## About A Journey of Gratitude: Mentors & Milestones The Grammy nomination was not just a professional milestone, but a true family project. From the locally sourced fabrics and handcrafted ensembles designed by my soul-sisters to the friends who flew across the world to share in the joy, every moment was built on community and connection. My sound is a conversation between my Carnatic classical roots and the improvisational freedom of jazz. Growing up, I was naming ragas before I could speak, and today, that same curiosity drives me to collaborate with musical giants like Herbie Hancock. When I perform, whether it is a traditional Carnatic quartet or a high-energy six-piece fusion band, my goal is to bridge the gap between tradition and the modern world. I treat my music as a form of soul food, intending to make every listener feel at home. This gallery highlights the people behind the scenes—the mentors who guided me and the friends who celebrate every step. It serves as a reminder that behind every award or performance is a network of love, hard work, and shared intention. If you are looking for a musical experience that combines technical excellence with deep, heartfelt connection, let us talk about how we can make that happen. ## About Varijashree Venugopal I am just a seeker of music, constantly in awe of the journey that started with humming ragas as a baby. Whether I am on a global stage or performing for a private gathering, I pour my heart into every note! [See all of Varijashree Venugopal's services](https://mytribe.in/varijashree) ## More from Live Music Performances by Varijashree Venugopal - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/varijashree/live-music-performances/featured) - [On the World Stage: Festival Performances](https://mytribe.in/varijashree/live-music-performances/on-the-world-stage-festival-performances) - [Intimate & Soulful Concerts](https://mytribe.in/varijashree/live-music-performances/intimate-soulful-concerts) - [The Band: My Musical Family](https://mytribe.in/varijashree/live-music-performances/the-band-my-musical-family) - [Behind the Music: Studio & Rehearsals](https://mytribe.in/varijashree/live-music-performances/behind-the-music-studio-rehearsals) - [Connecting with You: The Audience](https://mytribe.in/varijashree/live-music-performances/connecting-with-you-the-audience) - [Promotional Gallery](https://mytribe.in/varijashree/live-music-performances/promotional-gallery) ## More services by Varijashree Venugopal - [Studio Session & Collaboration](https://mytribe.in/varijashree/studio-session-collaboration) - [Music Education & Workshops](https://mytribe.in/varijashree/music-education-workshops) ## Similar work from other experts - [Moments With Mentors And Fellow Musicians](https://mytribe.in/ramana_balachandhran/carnatic-music-masterclasses-workshops/gurus-collaborations-community) by Ramana Balachandhran · Carnatic Music Masterclasses & Workshops · Online sessions & workshops across India - [My Musical Journey: Learning from Legends](https://mytribe.in/yashwant_vaishnavofficial/tabla-performance-services/with-my-gurus-inspirations) by Yashwant Vaishnav · Tabla Performance Services · Available for performances across India - [Moments, Collaborations, and Milestones in Rhythm](https://mytribe.in/this_is_tablagram/live-tabla-percussion-for-events/the-journey-the-people) by Tablagram · Live Tabla & Percussion for Events · Travels across Delhi NCR and pan-India for events - [My Musical Lineage and Artistic Inspirations](https://mytribe.in/unmesh_banerjee/tabla-for-fusion-collaborative-projects/my-gurus-inspirations) by Unmesh Banerjee · Tabla for Fusion & Collaborative Projects · Remote collaborations available; Travels across India & Mumbai for live projects - [Award-Winning Music & Career Milestones](https://mytribe.in/pallavi_md/music-composition-direction/honours-milestones) by Pallavi MD · Music Composition & Direction · Available Online; Projects in Bengaluru & India - [My Path: From Diplomacy to the Stage](https://mytribe.in/voxy.lady/vocal-coaching/my-journey-in-music) by Shubhangi C · Vocal Coaching · Available online globally; In-person sessions in Mumbai and Bengaluru ## Book To book Varijashree Venugopal, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Varijashree%2C%20I%20loved%20your%20Journey%20of%20Gratitude%20gallery.%20I%20am%20interested%20in%20booking%20you%20for%20an%20upcoming%20event%20and%20would%20love%20to%20discuss%20the%20details.)