Ashwin Srinivasan: The Flutist in A.R. Rahman’s Global Ensemble
Ashwin Srinivasan ranks among the most respected flautists of his generation. Known for his mastery of the bansuri and his ability to move between classical, cinematic, and global music styles with ease, he brings both precision and imagination to every project. Trained by some of India’s finest musicians and recognized early as a prodigy, Ashwin has built a remarkable career that includes film scores, international collaborations, and a growing platform for music education. As a featured performer in A.R. Rahman’s world tour, he continues to share the sound of Indian classical music with global audiences. In this spotlight, we celebrate, explore, connect! with the artist who brings depth, discipline, and originality to every note.
Early Start and Classical Training
Ashwin Srinivasan began his music journey at the age of two, learning the sitar from his mother. At seven, he discovered the bansuri, a traditional bamboo flute, and dedicated himself to mastering it. He trained under respected flautists Shri Venkatesh Godkhindi and Shri Pundalik Shenoy in Bangalore. Later, he refined his skills in the gayaki style with violinist Padmabhushan Dr. N. Rajam in Mumbai. By his teenage years, Ashwin had already performed at major classical music festivals and earned an A-Grade artist designation from All India Radio. His path reflects the Sanskar Savvy mission to celebrate, explore, connect through meaningful stories rooted in Indian culture.
Work Across Film and Global Music
Ashwin expanded his career by contributing to international film scores. His bansuri performances added depth to projects like The Namesake, Queen of Katwe, Amelia, Midnight’s Children, and The Reluctant Fundamentalist. As a core member of A.R. Rahman’s touring and recording ensemble, Ashwin brings classical Indian sound to global stages. He has also collaborated with artists such as Nitin Sawhney, Imogen Heap, Anoushka Shankar, and Joss Stone. These partnerships reflect his ability to combine Indian classical foundations with contemporary global music in a way that feels natural and respectful to both traditions.
Composer, Educator, and Independent Musician
Before performing on stage, Ashwin worked behind the scenes as a composer and arranger. He contributed to projects for Lata Mangeshkar and composed music for platforms like MTV Unplugged India and Tata Sky’s Activ Javed Akhtar. In 2011, he released Ashwin and the Bombay Project, a fusion album recorded live in one day. He also launched Fluteschool by Ashwin Srinivasan, an online platform that offers structured training in bansuri to students worldwide. Through education and independent music, Ashwin supports a broader appreciation of Indian instruments.
Connecting with Audiences Worldwide
Ashwin continues to build his presence through performance, education, and digital content. With over 30,000 subscribers on YouTube and 16,000 Instagram followers, he shares performances, tutorials, and collaborative projects with an audience that spans generations and geographies. His recent duet project FLUET with Rasika Shekhar and contributions to Joss Stone’s Water for Your Soul show his ongoing interest in collaboration. Ashwin also supports philanthropic efforts to expand access to music education, especially in underserved communities. His work reflects the Sanskar Savvy goal to celebrate, explore, connect across cultures through music with care and intention.
Discover Ashwin Srinivasan:
- Instagram: @ashwinflute
- YouTube: Ashwin Srinivasan
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