Mridangam & Morching Maestro
Mysore M. Gururaj is a renowned Karnatic percussionist, specializing in Mridangam and Morching. Trained under legends Vidwan T.A.S. Mani and Vidwan Srimushnam V. Raja Rao, he is an A-grade Mridangam and top-grade Morching artist of All India Radio. A recipient of titles including Karnataka Kalashree and Asthana Vidwan of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, he has accompanied leading Karnatic musicians across India and abroad, and is a retired staff artist of All India Radio, Chennai.
Mysore M Gururaj's
Unveiling Vidwan Mysore M. Gururaj's Five-Decade Karnatic Rhythm Legacy
Mysore M. Gururaj (also known as Morching Gururaj) is a distinguished Karnatic percussionist renowned for his mastery of the Mridangam and particularly the Morching (also spelled Morsing or Jew’s harp in Karnatic context). Hailing from a prominent musical family in Karnataka, he belongs to the lineage of the acclaimed Bellary Brothers—his father, Vidwan Sri Bellary M. Venkatesh Achar, and uncle, Vidwan Sri Bellary M. Seshagiri Achar—who were celebrated vocalists in the Karnatic music tradition.
Family Background
Mysore M. Gururaj hails from a family of reputed musicians of Karnataka. His grandfather, Bellary Sri M. Raghavendra Achar, was a famous violinist of yesteryears who served as a Music lecturer at Queen Mary’s College, Chennai, during 1922 to 1928. His father, Vidwan Sri Bellary M. Venkatesh Achar, and his uncle, Vidwan Sri Bellary M. Seshagiri Achar, are well known as the Bellary Brothers in the field of Karnatic music.
Training and Early Performances
He has learnt the art of Mridangam and Morching under the tutelage of Vidwan Sri T.A.S. Mani, a well-known Mridangam artist of Karnataka, for over 20 years, and is well trained in both instruments. He gave his first performance at the tender age of 9 with his father and uncle – the Vidwans Bellary Brothers – in the year 1972.
Academic Achievements
He secured 2nd Rank in the proficiency music examination conducted by the Karnataka Secondary Education Board. He has won many prizes during his school and college days
Professional Status and Performances
Being a Top-grade artist in Morching and an A-grade artist in Mridangam, he has performed with almost all the leading artists of Karnatic music. He has performed all over India and abroad, in almost all the leading sabhas and institutions. He has also performed in the Akashvani National Programme of Music, AIR Sangeetha Sammelan, Trinity music concerts of AIR, and South Zone programmes of Doordarshan.
Artistic Style and Recognition
He has developed his own style of playing Morching; as a performer, his playing technique consists of rich tonal clarity and melodic beauty. He has been successful in impressing artists and audiences alike. While artists have appreciated his accompaniment, the audience has admired him. Critics and connoisseurs of music have richly applauded his aesthetic presentation, professional maturity, and talented projection of his art.
Mysore M Gururaj
Mridangam & Morching Maestro
Upcoming Concerts
For the latest updates on Mysore M. Gururaj’s concert schedule and performances, please follow announcements from major Karnatic music sabhas, All India Radio and carnatic music event listings.
Mysore M Gururaj's
Vid. V V Srinivasa Rao
16-01-2026 | Nellore
Vid. Prapancham Dr S Balachandran
22-01-2026 | Rasika Ranjani Sabha, Chennai
Vid. Maharajapuram Ganesh Vishwanath
31-01-2026 | Shastri Hall, Chennai
Crown Jewels of a Distinguished Career
Best Sahavadyam awards
Awarded by Bangalore Gayana Samaja |1980
Awarded by Karnataka Ganakala Parishath | 2000
Karnataka Kalashree
Awarded by the Government of Karnataka | 2017
Asthana Vidwan
Awarded by Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham | 2011
Layakala Prathibhamani
Percussive Arts Centre, Bangalore | 2012
Lalitha Kala Suma
Sri Rama Lalitha Kala Mandir, Bangalore | 2018
BGU Awarad
Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava, Bangalore | 2017
& Many more..
Mysore M Gururaj's
Mysore M Gururaj's Moments from the Stage
Mysore M Gururaj's Rhythmic Mastery on Video
Contact Mysore M Gururaj
+91 9880853248
guru@morchinggururaj.in
morchinggururaj@gmail.com
9/12, 2nd Floor, Lakshminagar 2nd street
Nanganallur, Chennai-600061