A master of the chitra veena, a fretless, 21-stringed, Indian instrument, N. Ravikiran has consistently extended on the musical traditions of India. The only composer to write in each of the 35 talas on the Carnatic music system, Ravikiran is the founder of the International Foundation for Carnatic Music (IFCM) and has written several books on the subject, including Appreciating Carnatic Music and Perfecting Carnatic Music. Many of his articles can be read at www.rec.music.Indian.classical. In addition to recording as a soloist, Ravikiran has collaborated with Martin Simpson (USA), Alizedeh (Iran), Prof. Brian Brown (Australia), and Ustad Sultan Kahn and Girija Devi (India). Together with American blues singer/guitarist Taj Mahal and North Indian musician Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Ravikiran recorded the groundbreaking world fusion album, Mumtaz Mahal. His innovative playing has garnered acclaim from such Indian musicians as Ravi Shankar, who claimed, "If you don't believe in God, just look at Ravikiran." The New York Times praised him for his "infinite capacity for micro-tonal shadings reminiscent of the human voice," while Folk Roots observed that "necks crane, eyes peer, and minds tick when Ravikiran creates music before you."