Sandeep Thakur

Sandeep Thakur (born 26 July 1978) is an Indian violinist from a western classical circuit. He has worked in movies like Mohabbatein, Chak De India, Aashiqui 2 and Dangal.

Early life & career

Sandeep has rendered his talent to the likes of A R Rahman, Pritam, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Mithoon, Salim-Suleiman, Vishal-Shekhar, Amit Trivedi, DJ Chetas and Amaal Malik to name a few. He has performed at venues like The Royal Albert Hall, London with Nitin Sawhney and The Esplanade, Singapore for R D Burman instrumentals. Sandeep was one of the musicians playing for the "Raga Symphony", which presented of some of the timeless compositions in the form of a symphony by Shaarangdev, son of Pandit Jasraj. He also played for the Bombay Dub Orchestra which released "3 Cities", a part of the Six Degrees Travel Series, dedicated to bringing people the best in traditional and contemporary MusicAL excursions from around the world. Sandeep justified his role as an important musician in the Jagjit Singh Ghazal Symphony. He was a founder musician with Late Jagjit Singh for 4 successful concerts. Sandeep's Bollywood rock band named Jashan was adjudged as the runner-up for the reality show Idea Rocks India 2009 which aired on Colors Channel. Sandeep has also been a part of the Dandiya Queen Falguni Pathak’s Ta Thaiya. He is a unique smooth player in a troop of 25 energetic high power rhythm oriented group. Also he has done some celebrated videos in collaboration with social media giants like Sanam, Studio Unplugged, Being Indian, The Kroonerz Project and Aakash Gandhi’s 88 Keys to Euphoria. Sandeep was also one of the popular artists who performed at Zee The Great Mela 2016 in Dubai. The year 2017 also saw Sandeep lend his talent to DJ Kshmr at the Sunburn Festival Pune. Sunburn is amongst the world's biggest music festivals and it was also part of DJ Kshmr's maiden India tour.

Sandeep's YouTube videos and melodious violin covers have generated huge views and reviews globally. Sandeep Thakur also has a reputation of being a TEDx speaker. Sandeep recreated Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" through his violin which gathered a lot of media attention. His goal has been to popularize the instrument and ignite a desire among the masses towards playing violin.

Session Musician

Violin Covers and Collaborations

In August 2014, he started recording and publishing violin covers of Bollywood and English pop hits on YouTube, under the name Sandeep Thakur Violinist. In less than three years, he has more than 7 million views and over 43,000 subscribers (as on Dec 15, 2017). His covers include:

Violin Covers

Date

Title

Description

Jul 25, 2017

GAME OF THRONES - Epic Theme

 The Game of Thrones main title music (written by Ramin Djawadi) is one of the most instantly iconic and Sandeep has kept his cover very basic and close to the epic theme.

Jul 5, 2017

Despacito | Cheap Thrills | The Ketchup Song |

A mashup of Despacito, Cheap Thrills and The Ketchup Song (Aserejé) a sporadic work filmed casually at the studio.

Mar 28, 2017

Shape Of You

This song by Ed Sheeran, an unusual song to be picked for a violin cover only shows Sandeep's passion to

experiment with my music and his persisting endeavor to provide his audience with a twist

and class in the representation of a musical work.

Feb 15, 2017

Rise In Love

A potpourri of the most romantic songs from bollywood and English pop hits.

Oct 27, 2016

Wakhra Swag

A violin cover attempting to revive the Euphoric Punjabi song that brought a new trend to contemporary

music, in a modern instrumental way, joined by singer Navv Inder and music by BADSHAH.

Oct 15, 2016

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil

A deep mix violin cover of the title song of the movie "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", music by Pritam.

Sep 8, 2016

The Radiance Of Ganesha

Sandeep Thakur -The Violinist makes his debut as a singer, composer and producer in this divine offering.

Aug 14, 2016

INDI - Pendence Theme

A creative combination of the most popular patriotic songs joined by violinists Mr. Suraj Singh Thakur, Yutika Banerjee and Saxophone by Ajay Shrivastav.

Mar 10, 2016

Bolna

A song from the movie "Kapoor & Sons", music by Tanishk Bagchi.

Feb 22, 2016

Yeh Fitoor Mera / Nothing Else Matters

A mashup of "Nothing Else Matters" by American heavy metal band Metallica and "Yeh Fitoor Mera" from the movie Fitoor, music by Amit Trivedi.

Jan 8, 2016

Janam Janam / Dont You Worry Child

An attempt at Deep House genre, this is a mashup of "Don't You Worry Child" by Swedish electronic music group Swedish House Mafia and "Janam Janam" from the movie Dilwale, music by Pritam.

Oct 9, 2015

Main Hoon Hero Tera / This Is What It Feels Like

Mashup of songs "This Is What It Feels Like", a song by Dutch DJ and record producer Armin van Buuren and "Main Hoon Hero Tera", from the movie Hero music composed by Amaal Mallik.

Sep 11, 2015

Lean On / Bezubaan Phir Se

Mashup of songs "Lean On", by American electronic music group Major Lazer and French producer DJ Snake and "Bezubaan Phir Se" from the movie "Any Body Can Dance 2",

music by Sachin Jigar.

May 8, 2015

Maa

A song from the movie "Taare Zameen Par", music composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.

Feb 17, 2015

Galiyaan

This song from the movie "Ek Villian", music by Ankit Tiwari. The singer in this cover is Avanie Joshi.

Jan 22, 2015

Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin

A song from the movie "Agneepath" with music by Ajay - Atul.

Nov 4, 2014

Mitti Di Khushboo

The popular song "Mitti di Khushboo" sung by Ayushmann Khurrana with music direction by Rochak Kohli.

Aug 18, 2014

Banjaara - Baarish

Mashup of songs Banjaara and Baarish from movies "Ek Villain" and "Yaariyan" composed by Mithoon.
Collaborations With Various YouTube Artists

Date

Title

Collaboration

Description

Sep 26, 2017

Suraj Hua Maddham

thekroonerzproject

Navneet Verma and Devaki Deshpande recreate the magic of Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik's voice from the movie Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Sandeep on voilin.

Jul 30, 2017

Tribute to Mohammed Rafi

thekroonerzproject

An attempt to pay tribute to the legend Mohammed Rafi by Abhay Jodhpurkar joined by Sandeep on the violin.

May 5, 2017

Aa Bhi Jaa (Bollywood Retro Lounge)

Being Indian

'Aa Bhi Jaa' from Bollywood Retro Lounge, sung by Anwesshaa joined by Sandeep Thakur on violin.

Apr 29, 2017

Hotel California / Tune Mujhe Pehchana

Nahin (Mashup)

Anirudh Bhola

A mashup of two classic songs, from hollywood and bollywood sung by Anirudh Bhola featuring Sandeep Thakur on Violin.

Dec 11, 2016

Teri Deewani

Sanam

This is Sanam Band's rendition of Kailash Kher's "Teri Deewani" from Kailasa album which was the debut album of Indian Sufi Fusion band Kailasa, led by Kailash Kher. Sanam Puri has sung and

played the guitars, Venky S on bass Keshav Dhanraj and drums and Sandeep Thakur on violin.

Oct 24, 2016

Humein Aur Jeene Ki

thekroonerzproject

Manoj Verma and Bhoomi Trivedi recreated the golden era classic movie Agar Tum Na Hote. Rohit Dubey is on the bass, Sahiljeet singh on the guitar and Sandeep Thakur plays the violin.

Mar 17, 2016

Bolna

Being Indian

A cover rendition of the song from the movie Kapoor & Sons, Susmita Dey delivers the song with Sandeep Thakur on the violin and viola.

Mar 5, 2016

Roz Roz Aankhon Tale (Cover)

Being Indian

A golden oldie recreated in the vocals of Sandeep Kulkarni and Roopali Deshmukh Mehendale. Sandeep Thakur had played the violin with Suraaj Parab on bass and Gaurang Desai on drums.

Jan 19, 2016

Rajnigandha Phool Tumhare

Shweta Subram

An old classic in the new voice of Shweta Subram with Glenn Fernandes on the guitar, Jerson Anthony on bass guitar and Sandeep Thakur on violin.

Jan 12, 2016

Pareshaan Violin Mix

Yash Raj Films (YRF)

This violin mix of the song is from the movie Ishaqzaade. Sandeep is joined here by singer Yashita Sharma.

Jan 7, 2016

Kya Yahi Pyaar Hai (Cover)

Being Indian

A romantic classic song from the movie "Rocky" in the refreshing voice of Sandeep Kulkarni and Savaniee Ravindrra. Violin and strings arrangement by Sandeep Thakur.

Nov 19, 2015

Hello - Adele (Acoustic Cover)

88KeysToEuphoria

This is Aakash Gandhi's acoustic interpretation of the song, with vocals by Shashaa Tirupati and Aditya Rao, and violin/viola played by Sandeep Thakur.

Jul 26, 2015

Yanni - Rainmaker Cover

BasSuraaj

This is a cover version of Rainmaker originally by Yanni. Bass guitar and editing by Suraaj Parab, vocals by Sandeep Kulkarni and Wrisha Dutta, Sandeep Thakur on violin and viola.

May 6, 2015

Judaai

Being Indian

A song from the movie Badlapur, music directed by Vishal - Shekhar. The song here is sung by Akasa Singh and music re-produced by Jai-Parthiv. Sandeep Thakur is on the violin and viola.

May 1, 2015

Jeena Jeena - Badlapur (Acoustic Cover)

88KeysToEuphoria

A re-creation of the song “Jeena Jeena” from the film Badlapur, another acoustic cover by Aakash Gandhi also on the piano, with vocalist Shweta Subram, Sahil Khan on the flute,

the cajon performed by Rupak Dhamankar.

Sandeep Thakur (violin) and Aakash Gandhi have also composed a string section.

Apr 17, 2015

Kishore Kumar (Mashup)

Being Indian

A mashup of some of the most popular songs of the legendary Kishore Kumar. Singer Sandeep Kulkarni is backed by Kinjal Shah, Chaittali Shrivasttava, Bhakti Parekh, with

Milton Daniel playing the guitar and bass by Suraaj Parab and Sandeep Thakur on the violin.

Mar 4, 2015

Balam Pichkari

Being Indian

Celebrating holi, a song from the movie Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Sandeep Thakur on the violin is joined by Jai Kothari on the piano and Parthiv Shah on pianica.

The music was originally directedby Pritam.

Feb 18, 2015

Duaa

Being Indian

A song from the movie Shanghai, music directed by Vishal-Shekhar. The song here is sung by Varsha Tripathi and music re-arranged and re-programmed by Jai-Parthiv. Sandeep Thakur

is on the violin and viola and also responsible for string arrangement.

Feb 7, 2015

Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaye

thekroonerzproject

A golden melody from the movie Anand, Amit Dhanraj Golchha has provided the vocals, with flautist Vashisth Trivedi, bassist Cleon D'Souza, guitar by Sahiljeet Singh and Sandeep Thakur

playing the violin.

Jan 28, 2015

Isharon Isharon Mein (Twilight Mix)

Being Indian

A romantic song from the old movie Kashmir Ki kali in the fresh voices of Abhay Jodhpurkar and Bhavya Pandit with Sandeep Thakur on the violin/viola, Rupak Dhamankar on tabla

and Rahul Singh on the guitar.

Sep 30, 2014

Kora Kagaz Tha Ye Man Mera

thekroonerzproject

The recreation of the song originally from the movie Aradhana is sung by Siddharth Slathia and joined by Sandeep on violin.

Sep 27, 2014

Ranbir Kapoor (Instrumental Mashup)

Being Indian

A mashup of some of the most popular songs of actor Ranbir Kapoor. Sandeep is joined by Parthiv Shah on melodica and Jai Kothari on the keyboard.

Feb 13, 2014

Suhani Raat |Suhani Raat | Chaudhvin Ka Chand

88KeysToEuphoria

A very unique acoustic mashup of the songs "Suhani Raat" and "Chaudhvin Ka Chand", collaborating with Jai-Parthiv (Studiounplugged) on the string section with acoustic interpretation

by Aakash Gandhi. The song also features Jonita Gandhi on vocals and Sahil Khan on flute.

Jan 21, 2014

Fix You / Jiyen Kyun

Being Indian

A mashup of songs "Fix You", by British rock band Coldplay and "Jiyen Kyun" from the movie Dum Maaro Dum, Sandeep Kulkarni is the singer joined by Sandeep Thakur on violin,

Rahul Singh on the guitar and backing vocals by Francisco Nicholson and Jai Kothari.

Sep 3, 2013

Lag Ja Gale

Studio unplugged

A golden melody from the movie Woh Kaun Thi. Singer in this recreation is Bhavya Pandit, Vishal Lalwani has played the piano and the music is re-arranged, re-programmed by Jai-Parthiv.

Jul 23, 2013

Chanda Niharu

Being Indian

A classic song beautifully rendered by Varsha Singh and Swaroop Khan with Sanjoy Das on guitar, Gaurang Desai on duff, Harsh Mishra on tabla and Sandeep Thakur playing the violin.

Jun 21, 2013

Tum Hi Ho Meri Aashiqui

Studio unplugged

An instrumental cover version of the song from the movie Aashiqui 2, Sandeep Thakur on the violin is joined by Vashisth Trivedi on the flute and re-arranged, re-programmed by Jai-Parthiv.

Apr 16, 2013

Saadi Galli Aaja (Breezer Mix)

Being Indian

Shweta Subram on vocals for this breezer mix joined by Sandeep Thakur on violin and Premal Parekh on guitar.

Oratory and Interviews

Date

Event/Media

Description

April 2017

Dukascopy TV

Sandeep Thakur was interviewed by Dukascopy TV, a Swiss TV focused on global economic issues, market forecasts and analysis. The interview with Sandeep Thakur was impromptu throwing light on his journey as a violinist and his creative ventures.

August 2016

TEDx

At TEDxJaiHindCollege 2016, Sandeep Thakur was one of the speakers invited for the theme "Latent Manifestations". The subject he was chosen to talk was, "The life of an entertainer" giving insight on his life as an artist (violinist) and experiences.

May 2015

Toastmasters International

SandeepThakur was the special guest invited to speak at the ORATION2015, the Annual Conference of Toastmasters International, District 41 held in Y. B. Chavan Centre, Nariman Point, Mumbai from May 15 to 17, 2015.

"Let my violin sing" is what he presented, which received tremendous response and viewed by his followers even to this day.