If you’re day is lacking a little inspiration then the tale of Baluji Shrivastav may just be the thing to give you that jolt of motivation. Having been blinded at the age of eight months, Baluji has certainly had quite the journey from his youth to being awarded an OBE and playing at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Paralympic Games.
Despite seemingly being dealt the wrong cards as a child, Baluji stands as a multi-instrumental prodigy with pedigree in the sitar, dilruba, surbahar, pakhavaj, and tabla. In 2008 Baluji founded the Baluji Music Foundation, an organisation driven by their aid of visually impaired artists. Just four years later, the foundation would give rise to the world-famous Inner Vision Orchestra – the only professional ensemble of blind and partially sighted musicians.
The collective quickly gathered momentum in their battle against the same barriers Baluji faced in his youth and found themselves performing at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Paralympic Games; an undeniable achievement for any group of musicians.
In 2021, however, the group certainly haven’t slowed up their momentum. Both Baluji and The Inner Vision Orchestra have prepared a compilation of live performances running into the Summer of 2022 across the UK. These simply are awe-inspiring experiences and those wishing to indulge in such an aural treat should check the dates down below!
Live Shows
Carols by Candlelight – HENSHAWS, MANCHESTER – 16/12/21
Interactions: Indian Music and Flamenco – LAUDERDALE HOUSE, LONDON – 17/12/21
The Inner Vision Orchestra – KEELE, NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME – 16/03/22
Classical Indian and Jazz Orient – ROPETACKLE ARTS CENTRE, SHOREHAM– 27/03/22
Antardrishti – Inner Vision – WILTSHIRE MUSIC CENTRE, WILTSHIRE – 07/05/22
Baluji Shrivastav OBE – NORWICH ARTS CENTRE, NORWICH – 13/05/22
Check out Baluji down below!