Rajib Karmakar, widely recognized by his stage name SITARRAJIB, stands as a paragon of sitar music, blending traditional Indian classical forms with innovative global rhythms. As a renowned Indian Musician , composer and sitarist, Rajib has collaborated with music legends like Herb Alpert, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Beck, Sandeep Das, Sugar Blue, and Wu Tong. His performances have been enriched by partnerships with major orchestras such as the LA Master Chorale, Atlanta Master Chorale, Detroit Symphony, and Spire Ensemble, showcasing his versatility across diverse musical genres.
Rajib’s talent extends into the realms of composition and appearances in high-profile productions for Disney, Warner Bros., Sony, Universal, and A&E Network, highlighting his broad appeal in the entertainment industry. His compositions breathe life into various movies and TV shows, making him a sought-after name in both the music and film sectors.
As an educator, Rajib Karmakar has influenced the next generation of musicians through residencies at prestigious institutions worldwide, including Brandeis University, Harvard University, Butler University, the University of Waterloo, Dartmouth College, UCLA, and the California Institute of the Arts. His global influence and innovative approach to music and education make him a cornerstone for cultural and musical exploration.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Rajib Karmakar was rigorously trained from age four by his father, Pandit Durgadas Karmakar. His early life extensive musical education was further enriched by learning the Beenkar style of sitar playing from Pandit Ramdas Chakravarty of the Senia Gharana, alongside classical vocal foundations with Ustad Ghulam Akbar Khan of Rampur Sahsawan Gharana. These influences are evident in his adept “gayaki ang” style. Rajib’s performances began at six and included a notable appearance on All India Radio by twelve, showcasing his early mastery and deep musical sensitivity.
Rise to Prominence
Rajib’s professional journey began in the cultural hubs of India, where he quickly established himself as a prodigious talent. His exceptional skill and innovative approach to sitar music won him accolades and recognition, paving the way for his eventual relocation to Los Angeles. In LA, his career took a significant leap forward as he began to collaborate with some of the biggest names in the music industry. These collaborations, ranging from traditional ensembles to modern orchestras, showcased his versatility and ability to transcend musical boundaries.
Notable Collaborations and Performances
Rajib Karmakar’s portfolio includes performances that are as varied as they are impressive. He has shared stages with music icons from various genres, bringing the sitar to mainstream audiences in a way few others have. His work with major orchestras has seen him perform in prestigious venues around the world, from concert halls in Europe to auditoriums in North America.
One of the highlights of his career includes his role in major musical productions that blend classical Indian music with global sounds. These productions have not only entertained but also educated audiences, offering insights into the rich tapestry of Indian music and its contemporary relevance.
Educational Endeavors
Beyond performing, Rajib is deeply committed to the education and dissemination of Indian classical music. His role as an educator has taken him to prestigious colleges and universities where he has held residencies, imparting his knowledge to the next generation of musicians. His teaching philosophy revolves around not just the techniques of sitar playing but also the philosophical underpinnings of musical expression.
Global Influence and Residencies
Rajib’s influence extends well beyond the performance stage. Through his residencies at prestigious institutions, he has fostered a deeper understanding of Indian classical music among diverse student bodies. His workshops and masterclasses are highly sought after, as they offer students rare insights into the intricate world of sitar music and its cultural heritage.
Looking Ahead
As Rajib Karmakar continues his journey as SITARRAJIB, his future projects are poised to further bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary music forms. With plans to innovate further within the realm of digital music production and online education, Rajib aims to make Indian classical music accessible to a global audience.
His journey is a testament to the power of music to transcend cultural and geographical barriers. Rajib Karmakar, as SITARRAJIB, is not just preserving the legacy of Indian classical music; he is redefining it for the modern era.
RAJIB KARMAKAR SELECTED PERFORMANCES
- REDCAT Roy and Edna Disney Theatre with KARMETIK Orchestra,Los Angeles, CA April 13, 2024
- Rochester Institute of Technology with Sandeep Das, Qais Essar and Antara Bhardwaj, Rochester, NY, March 30, 2024
- Emory University with Atlanta Master Chorale for Reena Esmail’s “This Love Between Us”, Boston, MA, March 16 and 17, 2023
- MIT Kresge Auditorium with MIT Concert Choir for Reena Esmail’s “This Love Between Us”, Boston, MA, Nov. 17, 2023
- Mechanics Hallwith for Reena Esmail’s “This Love Between Us”, Boston, MA, Nov. 10, 2023
- LMU African Music Ensemble with Neel Agrawal and Kandace Lindsay at Loyola Marymount University, President’s Convocation, Los Angeles, CA, Nov. 14, 2023
- Walt Disney Concert Hall with LA Master Chorale, Los Angeles, CA, Oct. 15, 2023
- Midtown Arts and Theatre Center with Oliver Rajamani and Ensemble, Houston, TX, Oct. 8, 2023
- Syracuse University with Ehsan Matoori, Syracuse, NY, Sept 23, 2023
- Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival with Sandeep Das, Lincoln, NE, August 25, 2023
- Fresno Nephrology Kidney Foundation Gala with Salar Nader, Mizu Hosato and Alfredo Casaceres, Fresno, CA, June 8, 2023
- Hopkins Center with Hum Ensemble, Hanover, NH, April 20, 2023
- DePauw University with Hum Ensemble with Hum Ensemble Greencastle, IN, April 7-8, 2023
- Lincoln Center with Sandeep Das, Tamer Pinarbasi and Jay Gandhi, New York, NY March 16, 2023
- Chan Center with Sandeep Das, Kamljeet Ahluwalia, Nazih Borish and Dinuk Wijeratne, Vancouver, BC Feb. 18, 2023
- American Jewish University with Alireza Shahmohammadi and Ehsan Matoori, Los Angeles, CA, Dec. 10, 2022
- National Gallery of Art, USA with Sandeep Das, Suhail Yusuf Khan and Ehsan Matoori Washington, D.C., Nov. 6, 2022
- DeSingel International Arts Centerwith Sandeep Das and Kayhan Kalhor, Belgium, Oct. 14, 2022
- Ware Center with Sandeep Das and Ehsan Matoori, Millersville, PA, Sept. 16, 2022
- University of Okhlahoma with Sandeep Das and Ehsan Matoori, Norman, OK, March 30, 2022
- South Asia Studies Association Annual Conference at Loyola Marymount University with Keenar, Los Angeles, CA, March 11, 2022
- Carolina Performing Arts with Sandeep Das, Tamer Pinarbasi and Suhail Yusuf Khan, Chapel Hill, NC March 4, 2022
- Country Club Christian Church with Spire Ensemble for Kansas City, MO, Nov. 20, 2021
- Temple of Israel with Sandeep Das, Kamaljeet Ahluwalia and Antara Bhardwaj, Los Angeles, CA, May 21, 2021
- South Asian American Digital Archive Fundraiser with Keenar, Malibu, CA, July 20, 2020
- Walt Disney Concert Hall performed for Reena Esmail’s “This Love between Us”, Los Angeles, CA, Nov. 19, 2019
- Hammer Museum Gala with Beck, Chris Martin (Coldplay), Javad Butah, Nilan Chaudhuri, Raaginder Momi, Los Angeles, CA, Oct 13, 2019
- Elora Festival performed with Elora Singers for Reena Esmail’s “This Love between Us”, Ontario, Canada, June 9, 2019
- Colby College with Sandeep Das and Antara Bhardwaj, Waterville, ME, Nov. 11, 2019
- Butler University with Sandeep Das and Antara Bhardwaj, Indianapolis, IN, Oct. 24, 2019
- Blackstone River Theatre with Sandeep Das, Rafae and Suhail Yusf Khan, Cumberland, RI, Nov. 10, 2018
- Flamenco India with Oliver Rajamani and Ensemble, Austin, TX, May 18, 2018
- UC Berkeley with Sandeep Das, Rafae and Suhail Yusuf Khan, Berkeley, CA, Oct. 7, 2018
- UC Santa Cruz with Sandeep Das, Rafae and Suhail Yusuf Khan, Santa Cruz, CA, Oct. 3, 2018
- Harbourfront Summer Series with Vineet Vyas and Bageshree Vaze Toronto, Canada, Aug. 9, 2018
- Festival of Tabla with Neelamjit Dhillon, Los Angeles, CA, July 29, 2018
- Wallis Annenberg Theatre with Kandace Lindsey, Los Angeles, CA June 20, 2018
- Los Globos with Salar Nader, Alfredo Casaceres, Sept. 30, 2017
- Dallas Ismaili Center with Sandeep Das and Kinan Idwai, July 9, 2017
- Shrine Auditorium Opening for Sony E3 Conference with Salar Nader, Raashi Kulkarni, Raaginder Momi and Anand Vemuri, Los Angeles, CA, June 17, 2017
RAJIB KARMAKAR SELECTED PERFORMANCES 2016 and Before
- Recording for Disney “The Jungle Book” show
- Joshua Tree Music Festival, Joshua Tree, California
- California Science Center, Los Angeles, California
- The Ringling Museum, Sarasota, Florida
- Shruti Foundation Annual Concert, St. Pete College, Florida
- Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa, Florida
- Festival of India, Richmond Convention Center, Virginia
- India Night, Lake Shrine Place, Los Angeles, California
- Springfest 2015, Molson Canadian Studio, Hamilton, Canada
- Toronto Sanskriti Sangstha, Toronto, Canada
- National Arts Center, Ottawa, Canada
- Fogartyville Community M&A Center, Sarasota, Florida
- Tropical Heatwave Festival, Ybor City, Florida
- Pt. Kashinath Shankar Bodas Festival, Scottsdale, Arizona
- House of Blues, Los Angeles, California
- Dhara Concert at NAMM, Anaheim, CA
- Théâtre Rouge Du Conservatoire, Montreal, Canada
- Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts, Halifax, Canada
- Burnhamthorpe Library Theatre, Mississauga, Canada
- Blue Whale Jazz, Los Angeles, USA
- Heiligenkreuz im Lafnitztal, Austria
- Disney Diwali Night, Los Angeles, California
- Festival of India, Ottawa, Canada
- Toronto Music Garden, Toronto, Canada
- Castello Di Romeo, Montecchio Maggiore, Italy
- Point De Bascule, Marseille, France
- CalArts World Music and Dance Festival, Valencia, California
- Indian Culture Center, Tampa, Florida
- Dhara World Music Concert, CalArts, Valencia, California
- Roy O. Disney Hall, CalArts, Valencia, California
- Festival Yoga sur l’Atlantique, La Rochelle, France
- Festsaal der Ayur Veda Klinik, Kassel, Germany
- Espacio Rhonda, Madrid, Spain
- Hip-Hop Connection Festival, Wien, Austria
- Festival de Papillotes, Brest, France
- IndiaSphere Diwali festival, Graz, Austria
- Boom Festival, Lisbon, Portugal
- Nada-Naissance Concert, Durgapur, India
- Mondial Centrum, Haarlem, Holland
- Casa De La India for Ministry of Culture, Valladolid, Spain
- European Yoga Congress, Zinal, Switzerland
- Bühne im Bürgertreff, Hamburg, Germany
- Theatre im Waaghaus, Winterthur, Switzerland
- Le Cazard, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Theatre Palazzo, Liestal, Switzerland
- Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
- Ganesh Mahotsav, Varanasi, India
- A.I.R (All-India-Radio) Concert, Kolkata, India
PRESENTATIONS, MASTERCLASSES AND RESIDENCIES
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Nov. 16, 2023
- UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, Oct. 18, 2023
- Concordia University, Irvine, CA, Sept. 5, 2023
- University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, March 31, 2022
- Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, Apr. 9-11, 2020
- California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA, Nov. 19, 2018
- Butler University Residency, Indianapolis Oct. 21-24, 2019
- Mount Allison University, Sackville, Canada Oct. 18, 2019
- Lunenburg Residency, Lunenburg, Canada, March 2018, 2019
- Deerfield Academy, Deerfield, USA, Feb 2019
- Brandeis University, Boston, MA, Sept. 26-27, 2016
- Harvard University, Boston, MA, Sept. 28
FILM, CD’S AND RECORDINGS
- Murder Mystery 2 starring Adam Sandler and Jeniffer Aniston, Hawaii, 2022
- Disney, Mira: The Royal Detective, Los Angeles, 2019, 2020
- A&E Network, Legends of Tomorrow, Los Angeles, 2019
- Delhi to Damascus, Hum Productions, Boston, 2018
- Herb Alpert for Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Los Angeles, 2018
- Brother Ray at Creative World Studio, Tampa, 2017
- Dreamworks, Bird Karma, Los Angeles, 2016
- Dhara World Music, Los Angeles, 2014
- Liberation, Shruti AIM, USA, 2014
- Muzocean,The Indian Record Mfg. Co. Ltd, India, 2013
- Capitol Records, CalArts Jazz 25th Annual CD, Los Angeles, CA, 2014
- The Art of Chill, Nitty Scott, New York, 2014
- Filling by Fii, Austria, 2013
- India Dreams, Neptune Media, Germanym 2012
- Bliss, India, 2012
- Crossroads, Pancham Record, India, 2011
COMMERCIAL WORKS
- Murder Mystery 2, Music Composer and Actor, Hawaii, USA, 2022
- Storage Wars Season 12, Actor, Los Angeles, USA, 2019
- Disney’s Mira Royal Detective – Season 1 and 2, Music Composer, Los Angeles, CA, 2019, 2022
- Basmati Blues, Assistant Music Director, Los Angeles, USA, 2014
- Wahh World Fusion Performer and Composer, Florida, USA, 2014 and 2015
- Dhara world music, Performer and Composer, Los Angeles, USA, 2014