V Selvaganesh

V. Selvaganesh, born on September 17, 1972, in Chennai, is one of the foremost kanjira (south Indian frame drum) players of his generation. He was born into an illustrious musical family — his father is Grammy-winner T.H. "Vikku" Vinayakram, a ghatam maestro and founding member of the original Shakti ensemble, and his grandfather Sri T. R. Harihara Sarma founded the Sri Jaya Ganesh Tala Vadya Vidyalaya in Chennai.

Selvaganesh was immersed in rhythm from infancy, responding to beats while sitting on his grandfather's lap during teaching sessions. He received training under his father and advanced guidance from his uncle, T.H. Subhash Chandran. He gained international fame through tours with John McLaughlin's Remember Shakti ensemble. In 2024, he won the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album as a member of the reformed Shakti group.

Often called the "Kanjira King," Selvaganesh continues to help run the Sri JGTV school alongside his father, training a new generation of Carnatic percussionists. He is equally adept on the mridangam and other percussion instruments, and performs regularly at major festivals worldwide.