Ajoy Chakrabarty

The genius of Ajoy Chakrabarty requires no introduction. This artiste extraordinary, is the recipient of laurels, both in academics and in the world of music. Initiated into music by his father Shri Ajit Chakrabarty and later trained under great teachers like Kanaidas Bairagi, Pandit Jnan Prakash Ghosh and Munawar Ali Khan, his list of firsts in monumental. To name but a few : he is the first recipient of the “Kumar Gandharva Award”, the most prestigious National award for the best musician of India under forty-five years; he is the first classical vocalist of India to have received the Presidents’s award for the best male playback singer in 1990; he is the first Fellow to have received a Gold Medal from the ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata and also the first Indian classical vocalist who was invited to perform by the Government of Pakistan. He is the first Indian classical vocalist who was invited by the BBC for a concert to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of India’s independence.

Ajoy joined ITC-SRA in 1978 as its first scholar and later went on to become one of the youngest gurus of this academy, a post that he still holds.

Ajoy has been proving sedulously and with success that Indian classical music if understood and practiced properly can contribute to international amity and understanding. Though his innumerable albums and CDs published all over the world and his extensive musical tours, he has spanned the cultural gulf between India and the West, endearing him even to those listeners who do not understand the language of the lyrics..

Aruna Sairam

South India's most celebrated classical vocalist Padma Shri Aruna Sairam, is now regarded as the music ambassador of India, for successfully taking Indian music to the global arena. Renowned for a style that is rooted in tradition while continuously evolving in the contemporary, Sairam has collaborated with internationally acclaimed artistes, including Dominique Vellard, the French master of Gregorian chant, and Christian Bollmann of Germany, as well as with A Grade North Indian musicians. Her appearances throughout the world include Carnegie Hall in New York, Le Theatre de la Ville in Paris, the Festival of World Sacred Music in Morocco, and the Music Academy in Chennai. .

She was born in Mumbai into a family with a deep love of music. Her mother, the singer Smt. Rajalakshmi Sethuraman, was her first teacher in the art of Carnatic music of South India. Her father, a music connoisseur, received the greatest musicians and dancers from northern and southern India in his home. It was in this propitious atmosphere, which was fundamental to the development of her art, that Ms. Sairam met Sangita Kalanidhi Smt. T. Brinda, who trained her in the style of her own mentor, the great Veena Dhanammal, one of the most outstanding figures in Carnatic music. Ms. Sairam also studied with Veena Vidwan Sri. K. S. Narayanaswamy.

She is the recipient of several major Indian classical music titles and awards, including the highly coveted Padma Shri award by the Government of India conferred by the President of India on the Republic day - 2009, Sangita Choodamani and Kalaimamani. She was recently conferred the title of Isai Peraringar by Tamil Isai Sangam. Ms. Sairam has been appointed by the Chief Minister of the Indian State of Tamil Nadu as adviser to the Department of Culture, Tamil Nadu, on Musical Education.

She has had the rare distinction of performing in venues such as Indian President's official residence - Rashtrapati Bhavan and recently at Shakthi Sthal on the occasion of the 25th death anniversary of Indira Gandhi. She has also performed across the length and breadth of the country, bringing the richness of South Indian classical music to people from all walks of life.

A true cultural exponent, Sairam’s music seamlessly amalgamates India’s linguistic and regional diversity, while relentlessly seeking the divine in music.

Pandit Birju Maharaj

Born into a family of hereditary dancers, the extraordinary genius of Pandit Birju Maharaj needs no introduction. This great Kathak exponent is the son and disciple of the famous Pandit Achhan Maharaj and is the torchbearer of the Kalka-Bindadin gharana of Lucknow, which has been serving the art of Kathak dance through centuries together.

Not only in India, he is well known nearly all over the world, both for his performances as well as lecture-demonstrations. Besides being a superb dancer and an inspiring guru, he has a wonderful voice, having remarkable command over thumri, dadra, bhajan etc. He is also a superb percussionist. Having successfully trained numerous students in India and abroad he is also renowned for his experimental dance dramas and choreography all over the world. His compositions in traditional themes are brilliant, whereas his contemporary works are crisp, entertaining and also refreshing in concept.

He directed and composed music and sang playback for two classical dance sequences in the film, 'The Chess Players' directed by the renowned film maker, Satyajit Ray. A measure of his genius is the fact that at he was only 28 years old when he received the Sangeet Natak Akademy Award. He is a recipient of the country's second highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan, besides a whole host of other awards prestigious awards like the Kalidas Samman, Nritya Choodamani, and the Rajiv Gandhi Peace Award. He has also been conferred with Honorary Doctorate degrees from Banaras Hindu University as well as Khairagarh University.

Girija Devi

Shrimati Girija Devi, the prima donna of the Benaras tradition, has an amazing proficiency in all the vocal forms of northern India, namely khayal, thumri, dadra, tappa, kajri, hori, chaiti and bhajan. Born in Benaras, Pandit Sarju Prasad Mishra christened her into classical music almost instantly as a child, the mantle to be taken up later by Pandit Shri Chandra Mishra. Apart from performing at the most reputed of music conferences and festivals all over the world, Shrimati Girija Devi has also appeared in immensely successful jugalbandis with Shrimati Shobha Gurtu and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, a rare phenomenon in the Indian musical tradition. Padmabhushan and Sangeet Natak Akademi award winner, her care for students is reflected in her successful career as a Guru for over a decade at the ITC-SRA, followed by that of a visiting Professor at the Benaras Hindu University. In 2003, she again joined the faculty of the ITC Sangeet Research Academy and presently imparts training in thumri and other semi-classical forms to some of the ITC SRA scholars.

Rimpa Siva

Born on 14th January, 1986 Rimpa Siva, from the age of three, showed keen interest in playing with the Tabla instead of dolls, pots and pans like other children of her age. Thus, from early childhood, she started receiving lessons from her father and guru Prof. Swapan Siva, disciple of the Late Ustad Keramatullah Khan of “Farukhabad Gharana”.

Rimpa is a student of Rabindra Bharati University and has proved her mettle at several notable conferences across the length and breadth of the country. She has performed in front of many music maestros to great acclaim. She has also been a prolific performer abroad since 1997, participating in concerts in the USA and Europe, and accompanying Pandit Hariprasad Chourasia for 20 concerts in USA, Canada and Korea in 2005. But naturally, numerous awards and honours have come her way: she has received scholarships from the Salt Lake Music Festival and the West Bengal State Music Academy in 1995 and was awarded the Shanmukha Sangeet Shiromani in 2004 in Mumbai. In 1996, the “Anun Lund Rej Memorial Fund” of Norway awarded her a remarkable cash prize, in recognition of her talent. As a child prodigy, she was the subject of an eponymous French documentary film “Rimpa Siva, Princess of Tablas” in 1998. She also received an award from Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, the President of India in 2007, on behalf of the Indian Music Academy.

An audio CD of her solo performance on tabla was released by “Sense World Music (UK)” in 2005.

Dr. N Rajam

Starting her musical career as a child prodigy, Dr. N Rajam has attained a status of a legend in the field of music during her 50 years' reign as a brilliant solo violinist. She ascended the stage as Hindustani violinist at the age of 15 and achieved at that young age what was thought to be almost impossible, even by the eminent musicians and musicologists, viz., tempering the western instrument for Hindustani vocal style of music. She introduced ‘Gayaki Ang’, to be specific, ‘Khayal Gayaki Ang’ on the violin with such consummate artistry that most musicians, particularly violinists were stunned at the results. Her contributions, to violin technique are considered to be on par with what Late Shri Pannalal Ghosh had done to flute, late Shri Bundu Khan had done to Sarangi, Ustad Bismilah Khan to Shehnai.

The secret of Dr. Rajam's genius lies in the fact that a strong foundation was well-laid by her father Vidwan Late Sri A. Narayana Iyer, an excellent teacher of music and man of great foresight. He invented a special violin technique for Gayaki Ang based on veena and vocal technique. Her tutelage under the doyen amongst musicians, Pandit Omkarnath Thakur, was a great boon to her. His powerful and emotion packed style, gave a further fillip to her research into an hitherto unexplored area of violin playing and culminated as a masterly and brilliant technique. Be it the majestic alap of Dhrupad, the lyrical Khayal, the romantic Thumri, lilting and soulful Bhajan, vivacious Natyasangeet, tricky Tappa, nothing poses a challenge to her masterly and magical bowing and fingering technique.

Solemnity is the keynote of Dr. Rajam's concerts. Her total involvement with the music and relentless pursuit of perfection, impeccable adherence to classical purity and precision of notes make her concerts stand out as unique in the festivals she participates. Her jugalbandis with eminent musicians including Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pt. Ramnarain, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Prof. T.N.Krishnan, Dr. N. Ramani and others were all noted for their serenity and sublimity. Despite being considered a musician's musician she wears her deep knowledge with all humility and a passerby would not even suspect that is a repository of 4 rich traditions, viz., her own technique of violin, the erudite and emotional gayaki of Pt. Omkarnathji, the Thumri tradition of Banaras from Late Pt. Mahadev Mishra, and the Carnatic tradition from the purist Late Musiri Subramaniam Iyer.

Dr. Rajam is not only an exponent 'par excellence' of violin playing, but is also a brilliant academician and recipient of innumerable awards and gold medals for university first positions. She is a noted scholar and has been serving the cause of music education at the Banaras Hindu University for four decades. The University has conferred on her the title "Emeritus Professor" in recognition of her outstanding talents and service to music. She is also the recipient of the Malaviya Award from BHU. She is also a recipient of the coveted Padmabhushan and the Sangeet Natak Academy Awards from Central and State Governments.

Dr. Rajam has played an active role in promoting and popularizing classical music in Varanasi through the Pandit Omkarnath Music Foundation, of which she is the founder Chairman. Despite her busy career involving extensive travelling around the world, she took sufficient care to groom her daughter Sangeeta Shankar as well as several performers who are fast making a name for themselves.

Omkar Dadarkar

When globalization is firmly gripping the world making most of the modern society involved in material gold-rush, very few persons maintain their originality and tradition. Omkar Dadarkar is one of them. Born in Mumbai on 30th July 1977, he was enthused by his parents, both being Marathi Natya-Sangeet performer. He took his initial training under Shri Ram Deshpande and received a scholarship from C.C.R.T.(New Delhi).As the nephew and shishya of the legendary vocalist Padmashree Manik Verma, Omkar was fortunate enough to get taleem from her. After that he took training from Pandit Yashwantbua Joshi of Gwalior Gharana under the Guru-shishya Parampara scheme of Dadar-Matunga Cultural Centre. Being selected as scholar by I.T.C. Sangeet Research Academy in 1999, he had undergone rigorous training under the tutelage of guru Pt.Ulhas Kashalkar. He was also trained in light classical music by Vidushi Girijadevi and Shri Srinivas Khale. He also completed Sangeet Alankar from Gandharv Mahavidyalaya and graduate in Marathi lit.and History.

Omkar’s performances in several Music Conferences in the cities of New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Kanpur, Lucknow, and in abroad like Canada, Nepal etc. were highly applauded. He received the prestigious Vidyasagar Award from Music Forum. His handsome voice with embellished tans is gradually establishing Omkar as a brilliant performer in the world of Indian Classical Music.

Ulhas Kashalkar

In an age when maestros of the older generation express fear of the decline of our grand tradition, Ulhas Kashalkar’s music is a reminder of the strength of this great art. His father, N.D.Kashalkar, initiated him into vocal music. In time, he was accepted as a disciple by such great masters as Ram Marathe and Gajanan Bua Joshi. Thus, he received training of the highest order in three distinct prominent gharanas- Gwallior, Agra and Jaipur. With a mellifluous voice and the gifted ability to blend the three gayakis with authenticity and aesthetic excellence, he soon emerged as one of the most formidable vocalists of the country and a much sought after performer both in India and abroad. For over a decade now, he has been with the ITC Sangeet Research Academy as a Guru, producing numerous students of high calibre. The numerous honours and accolades that have come his way include the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar for 2008 and more recently, Ulhas ji has been selected for the 2010 Padma Shri Awards (for Arts) by the Government of India, in recognition of his exceptional and distinguished contribution to the field of Hindustani Classical Music.

Dr Vyjayantimala Bali

Dr.Vyjayantimala Bali’s name figures prominently in the ranks of those who have heralded the renaissance of Bharatanatyam over the last three decades. Born in South India, she hails from a conservative family, but one of distinguished scholarship and one that has patronized the traditional and classical art of the Thanjavur style. Her’s is a background rich with our cultural heritage.

Her talents surfaced early in life when she danced before the Pope at the age of 5 and earned his benediction. She performed before many eminent statesmen and international dignitaries and was the first Indian dancer to be invited to perform at the United Nations in 1969. The audience was spellbound and gave her a standing ovation.

She has performed across the world and her outstanding performances have reflected the glory of her great art. Her passion for the rich, classical art form, found expression in Natyalaya an academy of classical Bharatanatyam and music. Vyjayantimala has to her credit a number of dance-dramas conceived, directed and presented by her. ‘Andal Thiruppavai’ Gurudev Tagore’s ‘Chandalika’, Kavi Kunjara Bharati’s ‘Azhagar Kuravanji’, ‘Ekta’, a multi-dimensional ballet which depicts the growth of the National Freedom Movement and ‘Om Santhi Santhi Santhi’ to convey the message of universal peace. Her solo presentations too have received high acclaim.

She has brought out a series of L.P. records of dance-music along with a hand written self instructor, to enable learners practice and perform this great art. She has also brought out DVDs of her Bharatanatyam repertoire and thematic presentations, compiled from live recordings of her performances.

She has been applauded by critics and connoisseurs for her research work through which the old and forgotten forms like Nava Sandhi Kauthwams, Melaprapti, Thodaya Mangalam, Sooladi, Prabandhams and Thayams have been revived.

As she shot into fame, the celluloid world drew her into its fold. She took cine-goers by storm and within a decade of her film career, she emerged as the reigning queen, a super star of the film world. She became a household name in India and still continues to be one.

She spent several years in the country’s political arena, serving two consecutive terms in the Lok Sabha in 1984 and 1989. The President of India nominated her to the Rajya Sabha in 1993 for her contribution to the field of fine arts.

In recognition of her myriad talents and her contribution to the tradition of classical dance, a multitude of honors have been conferred on her which include the Padmashri in 1968, the State Artist Award from the Government of Tamilnadu in 1979, the Sangeet Natak Academy award in 1982, the Lifetime Achievement Award by Filmfare, Times of India Publication group in 1996, the Living Legend in Entertainment Award by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in 2006 and the “Woman of the Year” representing India 2008 for outstanding contributions to the country as recognized by the American Biographical Institute.

Ananda Gopal Bandopadhyay

Initiated into music by his father, Ananda Gopal bandopadhyay was later trained by Pandit Mahadeo Prasad Mishra of the Benaras gharana. A top graded artiste of All India Radio today, Ananda Gopal has had a brilliant and successful career as a tabla player, who is adept both as a soloist and an accompanist. He is a widely traveled artiste and has played with virtually all the leading performers of Hindustani music at festivals all over the world. Apart from his performances, he has been associated with prestigious organizations like the Song & Drama Division (Delhi), Faculty of Music &Fine Arts (Delhi University) and the Amir Khusro Society, Chicago. Ananda Gopal is a senior faculty member of the ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata.

Anahita Ravindran

A keen student of Carnatic music with immense talent and potential, 16 year old Anahita Ravindran has been making a name for herself for several years now, both in the concerts and the contests scene. Her music is a product of very good training under quality gurus including her paternal grand mother, Smt Shanthi Jayaraman, who has been a huge source of knowledge for her. She honed her skills further under Satalapathi Balasubramaniam, Neyveli Santanagopalan and Tiruppugazh Maamani Subramaniam and is currently training under globally acclaimed musician-composer-director Chitravina N Ravikiran.

Anahita gave her maiden concert at the age of 9 and is a recipient of the Govt of India Scholarship for Carnatic Music. She is also learning the Chitravina. She has an admirable repertoire and has been hugely successful in major music competitions, sweeping away prizes. She has been chosen as finalist for various music program shows for TV, including the Carnatic Music Idol . She has also featured in music based programs for TV and has featured in prestigious audio and video productions.

Anahita has performed at numerous sabhas and festivals and at various temples. On the eve of Janmashtami in 2009, she gave a special concert on Oothukadu Venkatakavi songs at Krishna Gana Sabha and was adjudged the Best Singer in her category. She also participated in a few of the ‘Melharmony – Fusion’ Concerts conducted by her Guru. She has also given performances on AIR Chennai and FM channels and has given vocal support to her Guru in several of his Chitravina concerts.

Brajeshwar Mukherjee

Born at Burdwan on March 11, 1984, Brajeshwar Mukherjee was initiated by his parents and later learnt from Shri Hara Kumar Chatterjee and Shri Asit Roy. He was then accepted as a disciple by Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty and continues to train under him at ITC-SRA, where he is a scholar since May 2009. In 2005 he came first in the B.A Examination in music from Calcutta University and received the “Dhananjay Bhattacharya Award”.

Since 2000 he has been teaching at Shrutinandan, the music school established by Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty. Since 2003 he has accompanied his Guru on the harmonium or provided vocal support in concerts in different parts of India as well as USA, Canada, UK and Middle East. A B-High graded artist of All India Radio, he had earlier won the Govt. of India’s National Scholarship. In 2009 he stood 1st Class 2nd in the Masters degree in Music from Calcutta University.

B. Ganapathyraman

Sedhalapathi Sri B. Ganapathyraman, hails from a prestigious lineage of musicians. He inherits his music from his father Sedhalapathi Sri R. Balasubramanian. He took to mridangam playing when he was barely 7 years old. He has been trained by Sri. V. Raja Rao, Nagai Sri Soundararajan, ”Laya Vadhya Kovida”, “Laya Pithamaha” Kumbakonam Sri. Rajappa Iyer and Srirangarajapuram Sri Jayaraman.

A versatile artiste, Ganapthyraman has played for many senior and contemporary musicians. He has received the following awards -Asthana Vidwan of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Best Mridangam Artist Award from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Music Academy, Indian Fine Arts, Mylapore Fine Arts, Kalki Award from Kalki, ”Yuva Kala Bharathi” Award from Bharat Kalachar, Nadha Oli from Raga Sudha and Tirupugazh Laya Semmani from Siruvapuri Murugan Kuzhu.

Gayathri Sasidaran

Smt Gayathri Sasidaran, a student of Kalaimamani Smt K J Sarasa and currently under the guidance of the renowned dancing couple, Smt & Sri V P Dhananjayan has a diploma in Nattuvangam & the title of “Natuvanga Kalaimani” from the Tamil Nadu Govt of India. She has toured all over South India as part of “Sarasalaya” and also given solo programs in Chennai, Bangkok and Singapore.

She has also played various roles in Dance Dramas like Appar and Sundarar under the Expert guidance of Dr. R. Nagasamy.

Govind Chakrabarty

Govind Chakrabarty, an out-standing exponent of TABLA, is a senior disciple of Tabla Wizard Sri Asutosh Bhattacharya, who is a noted disciple of Tabla-Samrat Pt. Kanthe Maharaj of Banaras.

A commerce Graduate, Sangeet Praveen (M.Mus.) and recipient of National Scholarship, Govind has been awarded the title of Taal-Mani by Sur-Singar Samsad, Bombay.

An established solo-percussionist, Govind has also accompanied most of the top-ranking Classical Vocalists, Instrumentalists and Dancers of India and has widely travelled through U.S.A., Canada, South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, Europe, the Gulf and Middle-East countries including the Festival of India in USSR, Festival D’Avignon 1995, France; XVIIth April Spring International Arts & Friendship Festival, DPR-KOREA; Edinburgh Festival 2002 and German Festival of Indian Dance, 2002. Govind also visited Bangladesh and Myanmar during the 50th year of Indian Independence celebrations.

Govind has conducted many Musical-Workshops and Seminars in Norway, Canada and West Indies and has participated in Musical Interaction Programmes with top-ranking National and International percussionists, organized by ICCR, Sangeet Natak Akademi, the British Council and the Oslo University. He has also composed a number of Percussion Ensembles using a variety of Indian as well as Foreign Drums.

In 1981 and 1988-91, Govind had been deputed to the Indian Cultural Centres in Guyana and Surinam, respectively, as Tabla Teacher by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Presently he is a faculty member of KATHAK KENDRA, (the National Institute of Kathak Dance), New Delhi, a constituent body of Central Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Jyoti Goho

Inspired by his mother’s melodious voice, Jyoti Goho developed a keen interest in music, which was carefully nurtured by his parents. He was trained in harmonium playing by Shri Deb Kumar Banerjee. He also has profound knowledge of vocal music in which his mentors were Sanat Banerjee, Biren Bose and Pandit A. Kanan. He is thus able to heighten the mood and spirit of any performance. Known for his sensitive playing and appropriate embellishments, his supportive role has been acknowledged by maestros like Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. Shri Jyoti Goho has performed with all the great vocalists of Hindustani classical music, appearing at the major music conferences in India and abroad. He is currently a faculty member of the ITC Sangeet Research Academy.

Kamal Ahmad

Kamaal Ahmed Khan belongs to the 5th Generation of a family of sarangi players of Moradabad Gharana. He learnt Sarangi from his father, the Late Ustad Siddique Ahmed Khansahab who was the great Sarangi maestro of Moradabad Gharana. Kamaal Ahmed Khan also learnt with his elder brother Ustad Ghulam Sabir Khan, who is a well known name in India and abroad for sarangi playing.

Kamaal Ahmed Khan is very popular sarangi player and has participated in a number of major music festivals in India and abroad. His presentation, combining the clarity of Moradabad gharana with a touch of his own individual style, has brought him many laurels and much appreciation. He lives in Delhi and imparts training to several sarangi players and some vocalist in the true manner of the Guru- Shishya parampara.

Kamaal Ahmed Khan has been fortunate to have accompanied the likes of Pt. Krishan Maharaj, Pt. Samta Prasad, Pt. Durga lal, Pt. Birju Maharaj, Ustad Zakir Hussain and many others. He has also accompanied numerous ghazal singers including Jagjit Singh and Ghulam Ali Khan.

Mysore Sangeetha

Sangeetha.S, a budding young artist of Mysore, was born in a family that had keen interest in music and started learning music at the age of 5. She had her initial training in vocal from Smt H.N.Rajalakshmi and later under Smt Pushpa Srinivasan and Dr.Sukanya Prabhaker. She is presently learning music from the renowned Chitraveena exponent N.Ravikiran and the violin from H.K.Narasimha Murthy.

Winner of several prizes, awards and scholarships, she has also been chosen as a finalist for the Carnatic Music Idol music competitions on TV. She has performed in many reputed sabhas in and out of Karnataka. She recently performed at the University of Paris and Switzerland, gaining appreciation from the people there.

Nandini Shankar

Nandini (16), one the highly gifted daughters of the violinist Dr. Sangeeta Shankar began her training in music from the tender age of 4 at the feet of her illustrious grandmother, Padmabhushan Dr. N. Rajam. Her musical progress has been enormous and she has reached a high level of proficiency on the violin. She has appeared on many platforms all over the country and abroad in solo as well as jugalbandi concerts with her elder sister Ragini and has been highly applauded by music enthusiasts.

Nandini is also gifted with a melodious voice and is currently undergoing training from her mother Dr. Sangeeta Shankar and voice technique from the celebrated opera singer, Celia Lobo. Nandini has a versatile voice and enjoys singing a wide range of genres. Multi faceted Nandini is also a budding music director, composing music for short films.

Pradyat Mishra

Pradyat Mishra started his musical education, learning tabla initially from his father, Shri Niranjan Mishra and later from Shri Pulin Bera and Pandit Swapan Siva. He subsequently started learning the Harmonium from Shri Maharaj Banerjee and is presently studying vocal classical music under Pandit Dinanath Mishra. He has performed for All India Radio stations across the country and has provided Nagma support for Kumari Rimpa Siva.

Raghavendra Rao

Raghavendra Rao hails from a distinguished family of musicians. He was initiated into music at the early age of five by his father B.Sudarsana Rao. He has been trained on the violin for several years and is presently the disciple of the violin “Maestro” Sangeetha Kalanidhi Shri.T.N.Krishnan. He also received invaluable guidance and concert experience from the legendary Dr. M.Balamuralikrishna. As a young artiste he received the appreciation of the President of India for accompanying the celebrated musical genius and has won several prizes and awards from various sabhas in Madras. He has participated in the prestigious Bharat Cultural Integration Committee's music festivals organised all over India.

S Karthick

As a child, Karthick was greatly fascinated by the Ghatam, humble pot instrument, which brought him the great fortune of being under the guidance of Ghatam Maestro Shri. ‘Vikku’ T.H. Vinayakram and the legendary Shri. T.H. Subash Chandra. With the tutelage of gurus of this calibre, a firm foundation was laid for an illustrious music career.

As one of the most preferred ghatam artistes, Dr. Karthick has accompanied almost all top-ranking artistes in the Carnatic music front. Graded 'A' in All India Radio, Chennai, Karthick has participated in numerous concerts for All India Radio and Doordarshan, both nationally and for his home state. He has also performed with a variety of artistes in numerous Cassette and CD recordings and private TV channels. Karthick has traveled all over the world with his wonder pot performing in various prestigious venues including the United Nations.

Sakthivel Muruganandam

Sakthivel Muruganandam is one of South India's finest Percussionists. He had his early training in Mridangam from Kalaimamani Mayuram G Somasundaram, a veteran Kanjira player and subsequently trained under well known percussionist M.Balachander. He also trained under Kalaimamani Tiruvarur P.Bakthavathsalam, a distinguished Mridangamist.

Sakthivel has been playing the Mridangam, accompanying in particular, the classical dance form of Bharatanatyam, for more than twenty years. He is a master of rhythm and has not only been able to follow the intricate foot work characteristic of Bharatanatyam, but is also able to embellish the dance with rhythmic improvisations.

He has given percussion support to both renowned and upcoming artists and has also been given training to the deserved students. Sakthivel has performed at many of India's prestigious festivals and has also toured Europe and the USA widely, having also participated at leading festivals of the world – including the Theatre de la Ville Festivals in Paris, The Bergen Festival, The Madrid Festival, The Venice Biennale, The San Antonia Theatre Festival, Pina Bausch's Wuppertal Tanz Theater Festival in Germany and many others.

Samar Saha

For years now, Pandit Samar Saha has been widely known for his dexterous tabla playing and rare musicianship. With a brilliant sense of accompaniment he contributes immensely to any raag sangeet performance. Samar Saha was initially trained by his father Shri Sudhangshu Bhusan Saha and elder brother Shri Tarak Saha. Later he received extensive talim from Shri Satchidananda Goswami and Shri Krishna Kumar Ganguly (Natu Babu) of the Benaras gharana. A much sought-after artist today, he has played with the greatest stalwarts of Hindustani music and has participated in all the prestigious music festivals in India and overseas. Pandit Samar Saha is a faculty member of ITC-SRA.

Sarwar Hussain

Sarwar Hussain is one of the most accomplished and promising musicians of the younger generation of Sarangi exponents in India. He was born on 5th October 1981, at Gohad district near Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh his musical heritage comes from a long line of distinguished Sarangi exponents from Gohad.

His ancestry can be traced back six generations to Ustad Fazal Khan, father of Ustad Ghansi Khan, famous for his mastery of the intricate Tappa Style. Ustad Ghansi Khan taught his sons who included Ustad Chhuttu Khan, Ustad Garru Khan and Ustad Uday Khan, who were the father and paternal uncles and gurus of Padmashree Ustad Abdul Latif Khan, Sarwar’s eminent grandfather and guru.

Sarwar’s father, Anwar Hussain is also a well-known musician. Sarwar began learning Sarangi from his grandfather when he was nine. The superb ‘taleem’ that he received for eleven years is clearly reflected in his playing style. His playing embodies the intricate delicacy of his grandfather’s style as well as the techniques which his grandfather learned from one of the most famous Sarangi exponents of the first half of the last century, Ustad Bade Ghulam Sabir Khan Ambala Wale.

An A grade artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan, Sarwar has received many awards for his outstanding performance.

Suresh Talwalkar

Taalyogi Pandit Suresh Talwalkar , is one of the greatest Tabla exponents of the present times. As an accomplished artist and as a Guru, he has contributed immensely to the glorious tradition of Indian Classical Music. Pandit Sureshji belongs to the illustrious “Keertankar” family of Shri Dholebuva. “Keertana” being a classical form of devotional and musical discourse, a liking for the classical genre was inculcated in him right from his childhood. Further, at a very young age, his father Shri Dattatray Talwalkar initiated him into the art of Tabla. He then took lessons from veteran gurus, Pt. Pandharinath Nageshkar and Pt. Vinayakrao Ghangrekar. He also learnt the intricacies of Carnatic Layashastra from renowned Mridangam player Pt. Ramnad Ishwaran. This diverse training enabled Sureshji to imbibe the subtleties of both North and South Indian music, rendering him as a solo performer with a uniqueness of expression.

Sureshji has accompanied a number of great artists in their concerts – in particular, Pt. Gajananbuva Joshi and Pt. Nivruttibuva Sarnaik. He gratefully regards them as gurus and attributes to them the deep insight that he has for classical music.

Sureshji’s genius is highlighted by the exquisite renderings of “Taal Mala” and “Jod Taal”, a contribution applauded by connoisseurs and the masses alike.His unending quest for creativity and innovation, makes him a distinguished composer. His compositions have influenced not only musicians from India but also from the West and today, many jazz composers seek his guidance in their musical journey. As a guru, his teaching abilities and expertise is unmatched. His disciples include the likes of Vijay Ghate, Ramdas Palsule, Charudatta Phadke and his son Satyajit. His rigorous training for “Laya Taal” and its aesthetis to the famous Kathak exponent Shama Bhate, is reflected even in her students. Sureshji`s knowledge and command in rhythm has enabled him to guide well known percussionists like Trilok Gurtu, Mukul Dongare, Taalis and others.

Sureshji, with his wide experience both as a performing artist and as a guru, with his thorough knowledge of music and musicology, and, with his abilities of communicating even the complex concepts of music, is always a prominent speaker in workshops and seminars. Whether on the subject of tabla or on musicology, renowned institutions and universities from world over take pride in inviting him as a speaker. Sureshji’s numerous awards and honors include, Pt. Vishnu Digambar Paluskar Award, Vasantrao Naik Puraskar, and the Sangeet Natak Academy Award.

Subhankar Banerjee

Subhankar Banerjee, when he was five, was placed under the tutelage of Shri Swapan Shib, a Tabla artist of Farukhabad Tabla gharana. Over the years he has imbibed the baaj of other gharanas from reputed maestros. He received awards and gold medals from celebrities like Satyajit Ray, Pandit Ravi Shankar as well as the President of India. In addition to being a reputed soloist, Subhankar has been an accompanist of prominent celebrities like Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and Pandit Jasraj. He has frequently performed at famous venues all over India and in UK, USA, Australia, Africa, Japan, Middle East and all over Europe, as also in South America and South Africa.