Kesiraju Srinivas (born 14 October 1966), popularly known as Ghazal Srinivas, is a Ghazal singer, actor, activist, and frame drum player from Hyderabad, India. He holds the Guinness World Record for most languages sung.[1] He did pioneering work in Telugu Ghazals. He also sings Ghazals in Hindi and Urdu languages.[2] He gave performances in many countries across the world. As part of his peace mission he traveled to war-hit countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, etc. to spread the non-violence movement preached by Mahatma Gandhi. In 2005, he started Ghazal Charitable Trust to promote Ghazals and world peace.[3]

Srinivas, a native of Palakol in West Godavari District, was born in Tekkali, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh.[4] He worked as a librarian at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bhimavaram and Sainik School, Korukonda, for a decade. He started singing Telugu ghazals in 1986.[5] He uses a frame drum as his only accompaniment.

Srinivas was born in Tekkali, Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. His grandfather Kesiraju Venkata Narasimham Pantulu was a freedom fighter. His father Narasimharao got settled in Palakollu as part of his job. His mother Rathnavali is a housewife.[6] He got attracted towards music right from his childhood. He used to sing film songs on various stages. Despite his interest in music, his parents initially were not very keen on pursuing a career in Music. In 1980, he received an award in Light music from the prestigious Tyagaraja Gana Sabha. After this incident, his parents realized his talent in music and sent him to Pandit Hare Ram to learn Carnatic music. He did BA in political science from Andhra University. He also completed Bachelor of Library Science from University of Madras in 1989.[3] Before turning into a full time Ghazal singer, he worked as a librarian in Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bhimavaram, Korukonda Sainik school.[6]

He mostly used to sing film songs from his childhood. In 1986, he happened to listen Ghazals written and composed by C. Narayana Reddy. Then he decided to make his unique style by experimenting with Ghazals. Narayana Reddy also encouraged him by penning lyrics suited for his singing. He also taught him tricks of the trade while singing Ghazals. He has a unique style of singing Ghazals as he uses only one instrument kanjeera (tambourine) as his accompaniment.[3] He sings the ghazals written by noted Telugu poet C. Narayana Reddy, and himself along with others.

He gave his first Ghazal performance in 1986. 1993 Rotary club sponsored his trip to USA to sing Ghazals to spread the national pride of India. After returning from that 60-day trip, he wanted to revolutionize the art of Ghazal singing, and started spending more time on it.[7]

Srinivas has been part of a few films. He entered into the Telugu films as a lead actor in the film Vichitram directed by Jandhyala. This was the last film directed by Jandhyala.[20] He also played a guest role in 2005 Telugu thriller, A Film by Aravind. In 2015, he acted in a film Anushtanam which is based on a story written by Gudipati Venkatachalam in the 1950s.[21]

He received an honorary doctorate from Cosmopolitan University, Missouri, USA in the field of performing arts in 2005.[23] He also received D.Lit (Doctor of letters) from Acharya Nagarjuna University in 2008.[24][25] Government of Andhra Pradesh conferred him with Kalaratna award in 2011. This award is presented every year to the people who have contributed greatly towards the field of arts and culture.[26] NATS (North America Telugu Society) conferred him with the title Gaana Kalaa Vachaspati in 2012.[27]

He received Lata Mangeshkar Memorial award on the occasion of her birthday celebrations in Pune on 18 September 2022. He performed some Hindi and Urdu Ghazals in her memory. He is also awarded INR 21,000.[28]

He was conferred with Sant Kabir Sufi Gayaka award on April 30, 2023, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh as part of a festival commemorating Santh Kabir. The award is presented to him by Santosh Agnihotri, director of Akash Vani, Indore.[29][30]

He entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for the first time in 2008 when he sang 100 songs in 100 languages. In 2009, he again set a new world record by singing 125 songs in 125 languages. He set the third world record by performing maximum number of concerts (55) in 24 hours in 2010.^[31]