Benny Prasad was born on 6th august 1975 in Bangalore, India, Benny was the first of his generation in the family. His birth was celebrated with the highest of hopes for his future. But his was not a promising start - he suffered from severe asthma which required him to take cortisone steroids from which he developed rheumatoid arthritis, 60 % lung damage and an immune system regularly failing him, which threatens his life even to this day.

His parents believed that these terrible early difficulties would only make his success all the more blessed and honorable. He was expected to excel in his studies, to set an example for his younger brother and sisters. He struggled to live up to such pressures. His father a highly regarded scientist at the National Aerospace Laboratories, spent a lot of time trying to drill mathematics and science into Benny but in vain. Instead he mastered a fiery and quick temper, forgery and expertise in the art of lying. This brought his family only shame and disappointment. Finding no fulfillment in life, Benny became depressed and his behavior continued to worsen. He reached out to what seemed the only way out for him and tried to attempt suicide at the age of 16. By this stage, he was almost beyond caring about where he went or what he did, so it was not too difficult for his mother to "convince" him to attend a youth retreat as she had desired and there began his journey towards new life.

In reality, Benny Prasad had AN ENCOUTER WITH GOD. I came to him unasked and unsought for as he heard GOD SPEAK TO HIM, saying. "Benny, even though you have BEEN USELESS ALL YOUR LIFE, I NEED YOU NOW AND I CAN MAKE YOU A NEW CREATION." Finally a fresh start! A new birth! That was all it took to bring about a complete transformation in this lost and hurting young man. For the first time, HE HEEDED THIS POSITIVE CALL, LEAPT AT IT, AND BEGAN LIFE WITH WHAT WE WOULD ALL LONG TO HAVE - A CLEAN SLATE. God gave him new dreams, new goals, and a positive desire. This time, Benny WALKED WITH DIGNITY AND RESONATED WITH THE JOY OF THE LORD.

From being the shame of his family, he went on to being their pride. God's power brought the most powerful change in Benny's life. Before this transition he had displayed no interest or ability in music. But from that moment to the present, he has performed before PRESIDENTS AND PARLIAMENTS, BEFORE THE CROWDS OF 2007 MILITARY WORLD GAMES, 2006 FIFA WORLD CUP AND THE 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES. He has TRAVELLED TO MORE THAN 218 COUNTRIES (MARCH 2008) performing music, earning him the honor of being THE MOST TRAVELED INDIAN MUSICIAN (LIMCA BOOK OF RECORDS). Where he had once been a destroyer of creativity, he has won renown by designing two guitars (THE WORLD'S FIRST BONGO GUITAR AND A 54 STRING GUITAR, THE BENTAR).

Today, through his music, Benny brings the Hope in God to thousands of people, traveling to 40 - 50 countries every year. In a normal concert of 1 hour Benny performs about 5 various styled Instrumentals and in between each piece he shares his life experiences. Its 50% music and 50% of sharing his experiences. This method has been very fruitful and effective in ministering to the audience. Benny's heart is to impact the lives of his audience more than entertaining them.

Benny's first guitar was a 12 String Reynolds made in Calcutta, India. It was a second hand 20 year old guitar which his grand mother Late Mrs. Leela Rajarathnam had purchased for Rs. 1000 and given it to him as a gift (1995). Benny treasures the guitar and the early experiences a lot. Every time he plays this guitar he is humbled knowing where he started off and where God had brought him to.

Benny's first brand new Guitar came in answer to prayer. Tommy Coomes (Famous Music Producer/ Song Writer/ Teacher) presented it to him along with Taylor Guitar's. It has been Benny's favorite Guitar till today. He got this guitar as a gift in December 1999 while he was studying at the School of Music In Missions in New Mexico, USA.

The thought of adding bongos into the guitar first came when he was performing at the Hollywood Global Arts Gathering and later on got developed when he was thinking of how he could be creative to perform at the Olympic Games (2004). He prayed to the Almighty God and Benny says that it was God who inspired him about the Bongo Guitar and later on in May, 2004 Benny shared the design to the Thulsi Guitars from Chennai, India who undertook of the making of the guitar. The guitar was completed by the July 2004. This guitar has been renamed the Bentar.

Benny designed this 20 String Harp/Bongo Guitar in October 2006. The building of the guitar was completed on May 14, 2007. It was built by Tulsi Guitars - (Chennai, India), www.tulsiguitars.110mb.com. It has 6 strings, 2 Bongos and a 14 String Harp.

In 2003 Benny became the first person from the state of Karnataka to graduate from the University of the Nations. The graduation was held in Singapore in September 2003.

To get his AA degree, Benny did his DTS & SBS in Bangalore, School of Music In Missions in New Mexico, USA & School of Events Management in Townsville Australia.

Soon after the graduation Benny was invited to perform as a guest artist at the famous Orchid Festival in Singapore where the President of Singapore was the Chief Guest. The President was so impressed that he autographed the picture and mailed it to Benny.

Benny performed at the 2004 Olympic Games in Greece. He performed for the Welcoming of the South African Athletes & Delegates, as well as at the Cultural Stages and the Museum for the Press Conference (Delirious). N In September 2004 Benny performed at the Viking's Festival in Norway. Also in September 2004 Benny was invited as the guest Artist to perform at the Disability Conference by Joni Eareckson Tada.

On 26 December 2004 Benny performed at the Christmas Celebrations at the 100ft Christmas Tree in the heart of Singapore on Orchid Street. In fact Benny recalls that this was a last minute invitation which Benny accepted. Due to this event he postponed his flight to Sri Lanka/ Bangalore. He has been grateful to God because he was supposed to stay in the hotel on the beach in Colombo on the 26th and it was the same day the Tsunami hit.

In April 2005 Benny was invited by Mr. Young Vivian, the Premier of Niue to play in the Parliament. In May he was invited to perform for the Cabinet of the North Mariana Islands. In June 2005 Benny performed at the Palm Creek Folk Festival in Australia. In September 2005, Benny performed on the Centre stage at the Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the Earth) in Ecuador where the equator really lies.

In January 2006 Benny was felicitated for entering into the Limca Book of Records as the “Most traveled Indian Musician.” In February that year, Benny was awarded as one of the 10 stalwarts of the 25 years of Kendriya Vidyalaya NAL School. He was felicitated by Sri V. Mahadevan, Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It was a special moment for Benny as he spoke to the audience that it was in that very school that he was called “useless” and “worthless” for the 9 years he studied there. He gives the credit and glory to God for redeeming his past.

In June, 2006 Benny spoke in some of the classes in Liberty University, USA as well as performed at the Convocation. In July 2006 Benny performed at various cultural stages at the Fifa World Cup in Germany including this one which was one of the Official Stages for the launch in Iserlohn. In November 2006 Benny performed with the World Famous Wind Instrumentalist, Pedro Eustache at the Nations to Nations Celebration in Amsterdam.

In February 2007 Benny did a 22-nation Caribbean Tour and during his performance in Anguilla the Governor Mr. Andrew Neil George was present for the whole concert. He also performed and shared his testimony with the Ministry of Justice in Haiti. In July 2007 Benny performed at Indus in Bangkok organized by Artists Society. One of them who attended was Rabe`e Oskoee, a famous Iranian Comedian/Actress. On October 14 2007, Benny performed in Hyderabad at the Opening Ceremony of the Largest Military World Games ever where athletes from 101 Nations had gathered to compete.

In January 2008 Benny was given an Hon. Doctorate for designing his guitar (BENTAR) as well as for his travels as a musician spreading the Good News to the needy and hopeless. In that month, Benny performed as well as spoke to the Ministry of Education in Bermuda.

Benny Prasad says, "If I could be made useful, any one in this world can. If my dreams can come true, yours can too. My sin and shame has been exchanged for righteousness and new life by the Almighty God who died to set me free. For those with no hope, there is more to life than what today holds. I thank God that I did not end my life but rather chose to live through shame and failure so that today I'm able to be a blessing to the world. Remember, you are never too bad or sinful for God to redeem and transform." (Compiled from bennyprasad.com)
 

This page is updated on Jan 17, 2010