Bangalore Prathap

Prathap Ramachandra, born and raised in Bangalore in 1980s India, is a London-based international percussionist deeply rooted in the Carnatic tradition. Beginning his training at the age of two under his elder brother Prakash Ramachandra (aka RN Prakash) and later mentored by K. N. Krishnamurthy, Prathap displayed early brilliance. At just ten, he was uniquely awarded a government scholarship to study ghatam—making him the youngest recipient in India. Based in London for over a decade, he specializes in ghatam, khanjira, mridangam, and konnakol, spanning classical concerts, accompaniment of top Indian and Western artists, cross-cultural projects, and teaching various students globally.

Prathap has carved an impressive performance career across world stages—from major Indian carnatic festivals to prestigious venues in Europe and beyond. He’s frequently accompanied elite musicians and dancers, including a prominent world tour, Life in Progress, with dancer Sylvie Guillem in 2015. Critics have lauded his virtuosity, with MixMagazine praising his ghatam solo as “sustained virtuoso…potentially a star in his own right.” He is also recognized for his-ever evolving rhythmic explorations, particularly in konnakol, often likened to “Carnatic beatboxing,” which captivated audiences in the UK and beyond.

At the Darbar Festival 2012 in London, Bangalore Prathap made a memorable presence alongside mridangam maestro RN Prakash and sarangi virtuoso Aparna Raguraman. His ghatam brought a crisp textural brilliance to the ensemble, complementing the melodic dialogue with sharp tonal accents and rhythmic nuances. Together, the trio delivered an immersive Carnatic recital, blending tradition with contemporary energy—a performance that deepened the festival’s rhythmic spectrum and introduced many in the audience to the raw expressive power of South India’s clay-pitched percussion.

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