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Nitin Sawhney (UK)
Highly regarded as a cultural pioneer and a latter-day Renaissance man in the worlds of music, film, video games, dance and theatre, Nitin Sawhney is an influential and versatile creative talent. He is firmly established as a world-class producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist and DJ. An acclaimed flamenco guitarist and classical/jazz pianist, Sawhney is recognised for his musical ability to transcend cultural barriers. He has released eight studio albums, been commissioned to perform with and write for many of the world’s leading orchestras, as well as scored over 40 films for cinema and television. In performing arts, he has composed for renowned dancers Akram Khan and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. He has been a regular DJ with London club Fabric and performed around the world with leading orchestras and his band. His career spans production and composition work with Sting, Cirque du Soleil, Shakira, Paul McCartney, Jeff Beck, Tao Cruz, Imogen Heap, Anoushka Shankar and many others. Recently he has also scored for videogames, including Sony Playstation’s number one game, “Heavenly Sword”, and the forthcoming “Enslaved”. A recipient of four honorary doctorates from separate universities as well as fellowships from LIPA and Southbank University, he also acts as a patron to many educational establishments.
“It would be easier to jot down what this man can’t do than what he can” – The Guardian.
http://www.nitinsawhney.com/
How would you describe your philosophy or approach in art making?
Find the emotional narrative and build a musical language around it.
Who or what was the biggest influence on your decision to become an artist and subsequent artistic development?
My Mum and Dad were very good friends with a pianist that I only ever knew as Mr Wicker. Since he gave my family our first piano when I was four years old I would like to posthumously thank him for almost everything that has happened to me since.
What inspires or motivates you in your creative pursuits?
Finding an idea and having something to say.
What do you love most about creating art?
The unpredictability and discoveries about yourself and the world around you.
What is your favourite quote that reflects your views on life?
There is a quote from Mahatma Gandhi that I really like. When asked by a foreign correspondent what he thought of western civilisation, Gandhi’s reputed response was, “I think it is a very good idea.” In light of the Iraq war I tend to agree.
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