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Nicolas Mortelmans Biography
Biography
Nicolas Mortelmans is a passionate sitar player and multi-instrumentalist from Antwerp. Nicolas is a fusion sitarist and student of Indian classical music. He studied in the traditional way with several sitar masters in India, and since 2017 he has been trained by the world-renowned Anoushka Shankar.
Study period:
2010 – 2011: Marc Senechal (introduction to sitar)
2012 – 2015: Pandit Shivnath Mishra (Benares Gharana)
2016: Shakir Khan (Etawah Gharana)
2017 – present: Anoushka Shankar (Maihar Gharana)
In 2018, Nicolas performed more than 120 concerts in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, France, the Czech Republic, Nepal, and India.
He has performed at venues such as Sportpaleis, Ancienne Belgique, De Roma, Capitole, OLT Rivierenhof, De Casino, Muziekodroom, Vooruit, and various cultural centers.
He appeared at festivals including Boomtown, Sfinks, Maanrock, GentJazz, Blues Peer, Borgerwood, NaFirBolg, CampoSolar, and Ancient Trance Festival.
Nicolas has been featured in the media on channels such as Eén, StuBru, Radio 1, Klara, Humo, De Standaard, and others.
In the past, Nicolas has collaborated with artists such as Roland Van Campenhout, Condor Gruppe, Leki, Stef Kamil Carlens, Dijf Sanders, Tim Vanhamel, Jean Bosco Safari, Roel van Bambost, Kris Wauters, Matt Watts, Tikki Masala, Nessi Gomes, Merdan Taplak, Mauro Pawlowski, Dirk Brossé, Amina Parago, and many others.
In April 2024, Nicolas released his debut album MĀYĀ on WERF Records, followed by a club tour both in Belgium and abroad. In Belgium, he performed at GentJazz and Sfinks Festival, and received airplay on Radio1 and Klara.
In November 2025, Nicolas released his second album SPACE on Rotkat Records and toured alongside Tim Vanhamel, Stef Kamil Carlens, and Teun Verbruggen.
Nicolas sees music as a universal language that can dissolve cultural differences and transcend words—a force that goes beyond the boundaries of rational thought.
Through his music, he aims to create a sense of unity that connects us to the essence of existence, an endless search for the deepest sounds of the soul that can expand our consciousness.
Improvisation is an essential part of his sitar playing, connecting us to the present moment.
Live, Nicolas performs on an electric sitar, building a bridge between his recent passion for Indian music and his roots in rock, jazz, and electronica.
Nicolas has an open mind, and literally every musical style or tradition can inspire him. His concerts can be both meditative and explosive.
Read MoreNicolas Mortelmans is a passionate sitar player and multi-instrumentalist from Antwerp. Nicolas is a fusion sitarist and student of Indian classical music. He studied in the traditional way with several sitar masters in India, and since 2017 he has been trained by the world-renowned Anoushka Shankar.
Study period:
2010 – 2011: Marc Senechal (introduction to sitar)
2012 – 2015: Pandit Shivnath Mishra (Benares Gharana)
2016: Shakir Khan (Etawah Gharana)
2017 – present: Anoushka Shankar (Maihar Gharana)
In 2018, Nicolas performed more than 120 concerts in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, France, the Czech Republic, Nepal, and India.
He has performed at venues such as Sportpaleis, Ancienne Belgique, De Roma, Capitole, OLT Rivierenhof, De Casino, Muziekodroom, Vooruit, and various cultural centers.
He appeared at festivals including Boomtown, Sfinks, Maanrock, GentJazz, Blues Peer, Borgerwood, NaFirBolg, CampoSolar, and Ancient Trance Festival.
Nicolas has been featured in the media on channels such as Eén, StuBru, Radio 1, Klara, Humo, De Standaard, and others.
In the past, Nicolas has collaborated with artists such as Roland Van Campenhout, Condor Gruppe, Leki, Stef Kamil Carlens, Dijf Sanders, Tim Vanhamel, Jean Bosco Safari, Roel van Bambost, Kris Wauters, Matt Watts, Tikki Masala, Nessi Gomes, Merdan Taplak, Mauro Pawlowski, Dirk Brossé, Amina Parago, and many others.
In April 2024, Nicolas released his debut album MĀYĀ on WERF Records, followed by a club tour both in Belgium and abroad. In Belgium, he performed at GentJazz and Sfinks Festival, and received airplay on Radio1 and Klara.
In November 2025, Nicolas released his second album SPACE on Rotkat Records and toured alongside Tim Vanhamel, Stef Kamil Carlens, and Teun Verbruggen.
Nicolas sees music as a universal language that can dissolve cultural differences and transcend words—a force that goes beyond the boundaries of rational thought.
Through his music, he aims to create a sense of unity that connects us to the essence of existence, an endless search for the deepest sounds of the soul that can expand our consciousness.
Improvisation is an essential part of his sitar playing, connecting us to the present moment.
Live, Nicolas performs on an electric sitar, building a bridge between his recent passion for Indian music and his roots in rock, jazz, and electronica.
Nicolas has an open mind, and literally every musical style or tradition can inspire him. His concerts can be both meditative and explosive.
Ambient
Fusion
Electronic
Indian Classical
Jazzrock
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