V. Selvaganesh is an Indian percussionist working in the Carnatic tradition, and is the leading kanjira (or south Indian frame drum) player of his generation. He is also known as "Chella S. Ganesh."



Grandson of Sri T.R. Harihara Sarma, who founded the Sri Jaya Ganesh Tala Vadya Vidyalaya (Sri JGTV school) in Chennai, Selvaganesh gained world fame through tours with John McLaughlin's group Remember Shakti. He helps his father, Grammy-winner T.H. "Vikku" Vinayakram (himself a former member of the original Shakti), to run the Sri JGTV school and train a new generation of Carnatic percussionists. He has also composed and produced albums, and played with the Swedish bass virtuoso Jonas Hellborg. His debut international solo album is due for release in 2005 featuring John McLaughlin and other stars. He has also formed a new group called dr JSM, with the UK-based Goan songwriter/producer dr.Joel and the young Carnatic singer Mahesh. Their Indo-Celtic album entitled Turn on the dreams was released in the UK in 2005.



He has already gained high reputation among leading musicians of the Carnatic tradition. He played with Smt. M.S. Subbalakshmi, Smt. M. Vasanthakumari, Smt Gayathri, Lalgudi Sri Jayaraman, Mandolin Sri Srinivas, Sri Ganesh and Sri Kumeresh, Sri D K Jayaraman, Sri T N Seshagopalan, Kadri Sri Gopalnath and Trichur Sri Ramachandran. Since 1986 he has been performing major concerts accompanying musicians from India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In 1993, he toured in Europe together with tabla maestro's Ustad Zakir Hussain and Ustad Alla Rakha and Sri T H Vinayakram.



He proved not only to be a competent musician in the field of Carnatic tradition, but also in the world of jazz where he has played in the group conducted by Sri Ganesh and Sri Kumeresh, Sri Maha Periyava Groups "Swara Laya Mela" as well as Rikhy Ray´s "Mangalam". He became well known in the west for his work with guitar maestro John McLaughlin in the group "Shakti" and bass player Jonas Hellborg.