Baiju Dharmajan’s Ultimate Guitarists List
The Bengaluru-based guitarist picks his favorites from India
Baiju Dharmajan | Courtesy of the artist
His fans call him ”˜The God of Small Strings’ and for good reason. Blending Carnatic influences with rock solos, Kochi-based Baiju Dharmajan now helms the Baiju Dharmajan Syndicate. There is a sense of camaraderie and immense fondness in the way the former Motherjane guitarist speaks of his fellow guitar virtuosos. “A lot of these artists are people that I have a personal relationship with, people who are down-to-earth and good human beings.” Here is Dharmajan’s list of favorite guitarists [in no particular order].
Warren Mendonsa (Blackstratblues)
He is a blues guy. His music has a lot of feel and emotion. Mostly, he is very concerned with the tones, guitars and amps.
 Mahesh Tinaikar (From Rock Machine to Indus Creed
Years back, I watched a Rock Machine performance at the launch of their debut album in Ernakulam. I grew up watching Mahesh and learning from him.
John Anthony (Karnatriix)
He was my biggest inspiration; I started playing because of him. At that time, he played for films that I grew up with. I met him one day and he was so down to earth. I was so inspired.
R. Prasanna (solo fusion guitarist and founder president of Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music)
The way he plays jazz and Carnatic is mind blowing. He is amazing.
Sumith Ramachandran (Hip Pocket and solo guitarist)
He is a very good friend of mine. He can play just anything under the sun.
Sanjeev T (solo guitarist)
I worked with him on two or three songs. He is like a brother to me. His first chord progressions and alternate tunings are amazing and I just love his vocals.
Bruce Lee Mani (Thermal And A Quarter)
I met him in 2003. Back then, during Strawberry Fields [the annual campus festival at National Law College in Bengaluru], we were competitors. He was playing some progressive stuff and I was like, “What is this shit!” The good thing about him is his attitude toward music. He will be composing or writing or singing all the time.
Rudy Wallang (Soulmate, Fender Benders)
I met him in 2012 or 2013 at the NH7 Weekender in Bangalore. He was performing with the Fender Benders. He is the king of blues.
Floyd Fernandes (solo guitarist)
Floyd, oh man! He is like a guitar dictionary! And he plays like [Brit guitarist] Allan Holdsworth.
Bryden Lewis (Slain, The Raghu Dixit Project)
He is always ready to experiment. Back when I heard him first, we were playing progressive rock with [Bengaluru band] Slain and suddenly, he was playing completely different folk rock with The Raghu Dixit Project! He is promising.
Baiju Dharmajan Syndicate will perform at the Rock the stage at Biker’s Rock Fest “Rock in Goa” on March 28th, 2015
