DNA Network Bangalore

Founded by T. Venkat Vardhan, DNA NETWORKS has firmly placed India on the world concert circuit. Venkat, who has become an industry legend, started showcasing events in the late 80s, his first mega concert being the group Europe in 1988, which was the first of its kind in India that drew in over 60000 people.

Being the leading player, DNA NETWORKS became a licensee of MTV years before the advent of satellite television in India and when it did arrive on the heels of globalisation,Venkat entered into a strategic alliance with Star Television to leverage the reach of the nascent Channel V.

India's economic liberalisation of the 90s opened easy access to foreign exchange and travel. Venkat proved his credentials with the sell-out Bryan Adams concert at the Brabourne Stadium in 1994 followed by the Yanni concert in 1997 that pitched him into the global league of concert organisers.

Since then, DNA NETWORKS has handled not just rock stars but also the visits of high profile VIPs such as Bill Clinton. It has also assiduously cultivated its growing customer base of youth by organising annual national campus rock shows and purchasing television time to showcase their talent.

Venkat with the never-say-die rockers, Aerosmith in Bangalore.

In his plush office surrounded by rock memorabilia - including over a dozen guitars signed by some of the world's greatest guitarists and mementoes from Sir Elton John and Roger Waters - Venkat declares his ambition to become a major player in the concert circuit of Asia in the years to come.

DNA's roadmap includes building on its long association with the major corporates, leveraging its relationships with international booking agents and artist managements, increasing the frequency of international events, promoting different types of international events for different audience segments and consolidating the fan base into a more interactive audience.

"My vision is to scale up the operation of DNA NETWORKS and make it a formidable force in the Asian market. We will enter into strategic alliances with big international live music agencies, to expand and consolidate our position in India," says Venkat.

The rewards have been many. "Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Charlie Watts gave our services 10 on 10, Yanni presented me an engraved Tiffany's watch, Mark Knopfler personally autographed a Fender Stratocaster, and Sting and Aerosmith have hailed DNA as among the best. Each star has taught me to strive for even greater excellence not only in organising concerts but giving the paying public an unforgettable experience," he says.

Venkat admits his inspiration is his grandfather, Karnataka's first Chief Minister Kengal Hanumanthaiah who built the magnificent Vidhana Soudha as well as laid the foundation for Bangalore's cosmopolitan ethos. "A legacy helps for it goads one to keep raising the bar of excellence," he says.