Nitin Sawhney

Nitin Sawhney is a London-based composer and DJ of various styles of music, including jazz, drum and bass, hip hop and modern orchestral compositions. His major works include 'Beyond Skin' and 'Prophecy'. He is consider

Nitin Sawhney is a London-based composer and DJ of various styles of music, including jazz, drum and bass, hip hop and modern orchestral compositions. His major works include 'Beyond Skin' and 'Prophecy'. He is considered a one of the pioneers of what is known as the Asian Underground music scene, defining a music genre that mixes south-asian musical influences with western electronica and breakbeat style. Other prominent artists and producers of Asian Underground include Joi, Talvin Singh, the members of Asian Dub Foundation, and of Tabla Beat Science.

Nitin was raised in Rochester, Kent, England. He used music and comedy to escape the ever present racist attitudes of the other students. He was even at one time banned from the music room by a teacher who was a member of National Front. He studied law at Liverpool University for a short time. Then he went to London, where he met Sanjeev Bhaskar. The pair became friends and created a comedy double act, The Secret Asians, together. The show sought to turn absurdly dated Asian stereotypes on their heads. It led to a contract with BBC radio and eventually grew into the award winning BBCTV sketch show - Goodness Gracious Me.