Karun Salvady began learning mridangam in childhood, guided first by Sri Ramji Shankar Ayyar in Houston. Even while growing up far from South India, his early fascination with rhythm, his family’s cultural grounding, and regular visits to India shaped a strong connection to Carnatic music. In 2011, he began advanced training under renowned maestro Sri Trichy B. Harikumar—foremost disciple of Mavelikkara Velukutty Nair and part of the lineage of the legendary Palghat Mani Iyer—rooting Karun firmly in the Thanjavur bani.

Over the last decade, Karun has performed in 500+ concerts across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and India. He is a regular featured artist during Chennai’s December Music Season, performing at leading sabhas such as Indian Fine Arts Society, Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, Rasika Ranjani Sabha, Mylapore Fine Arts Club, Brahma Gana Sabha, Arkay Convention Center, and Ragasudha Hall. He has accompanied eminent artists including Grammy-winner Ganesh Rajagopalan, Kalaimamani Dr. Nithyasree Mahadevan, Vishaka Hari, Vittal Ramamurthy, BU Ganesh Prasad, and Dr. Jyotsna Srikanth. His work extends across genres—from Western classical and jazz to flamenco, contemporary musical theater, and dance.

Karun’s artistry is driven by the belief that percussion is a crossroads of identity, expression, and cultural belonging. Carnatic rhythm has become the medium through which he explores community, dual identity, and the possibilities of connection. His goals include deepening his artistic excellence, creating interdisciplinary work, expanding Carnatic presence in the American arts landscape, and serving as both educator and advocate for the form.

Parallel to his performance career, Karun is a scholar of neuroscience and music cognition, holding degrees from the University of Texas and Goldsmiths, University of London, and recently completing a Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship researching Indian classical music and the brain. This research informs his pedagogy, collaborations, and creative process.

This year, Karun is developing a collaborative project with Chitravina artist Vishaal Sapuram exploring musical and spiritual parallels between Sufi and Bhakti traditions—work shaped by global influences, classical rigor, and his commitment to creating art that builds bridges across cultures.