Walking violinists jazzing up Bengaluru weddings

Bengaluru: When you think of a wedding, what comes to mind? Flowing gowns, shimmering lights, and the sweet melody of love wafting in the air. But in Bengaluru, there's a new trend, hitting all the right notes — walking violinists, where you see a violinist, not tucked away in the corner like the rest of his band, but gracefully gliding through wedding venues, entertaining guests with melodies.
One of the earliest exponent of walking violinists was Aneesh Vidyashankar who recalls doing it since 2013. With over 25 years of experience as a professional musician, Aneesh wanted to offer something new. "It's not just about walking and playing," he said. "It's about maintaining the quality of music while moving. The violin requires precision, and it takes a lot of practice to keep it steady while walking."

For Aneesh, each wedding performance is tailored to the event. "What works for a corporate event won't work for a wedding, so I adjust everything based on the occasion," he said. His father, Vidya Shankar, who was also a musician, encouraged him to combine Indian classical music with movement, a challenge adding to the complexity of the music. "He saw musicians performing on the streets and thought this could work for Indian classical music too," said Aneesh.
Over the years, the walking violinist trend has grown, changing how music is incorporated into weddings. Many youngsters budding with musical talent are now seeing it as a viable career choice. Mithun Eshwar, another walking violinist based in Bengaluru, adds, "Having a walking violinist at a wedding makes it feel more exclusive than a full band. It's not just the music but the way it's performed that makes it special."
Mithun, who has performed across India and internationally, noted the demand for walking violinists is increasing. "Since Jan 2024, I've done over 105 weddings. I perform with a group that includes keyboards, drums, guitars, and flutes. We aim to create an experience that engages the crowd and makes the event memorable. The demand is so high that we are barely able to keep up with it. Every other wedding wants a walking violinist to play their favourite songs and make their wedding magical and personal."
Ram Charan, another violinist in Bengaluru, added when he started as a walking violinist five years ago, hardly anyone knew about it. "Now, after performing at over 500 weddings, almost 70% of weddings in Bengaluru want a walking violinist. It's about connecting with the couple and guests, making the moment more personal."
Though it may appear effortless, it is not easy. "It requires a lot of practice. Aspiring violinists should be prepared to put in the effort," he said.