Chamber Concert – New Voices of Carnatic Music
Saturday, 26th April 2025|3:30 pm EDT - 7:30 pm EDT
| $35.00Chamber concert at Residence of Shankar Ramachandran.
Join us for a very special event introducing and celebrating new voices in carnatic music. Two concerts with a reception between them to meet the artists and enjoy tea and snacks.
Lakshmi V – vocal
Himaja Samraj – vocal
Sahana Sreeram – violin
T. R. Arvind Kaushik – mridangam
FREE FOR ANNUAL SUBSCRIBERS
Lakshmi, a disciple of Sangeeta Kalanidhi Vidushi Dr. S. Sowmya, is a dedicated Carnatic vocalist with extensive experience in performing and teaching. She trains students across the globe and, alongside her husband K. S. Vishnudev, composes and creates music. Their independent music videos Vizhi and prāpti have gained widespread recognition. Lakshmi is also an art entrepreneur, actively curating concerts, masterclasses, and workshops at Nisarga Art Hub in Angamaly, Kerala, to promote diverse art forms.
Achievements
- Award-winning musician – Vizhi won international recognition at the Druk International Film Festival, was nominated for the Cannes World Film Festival (2022), and won Best Regional Album at the Clef Music Awards (2023).
- Accomplished Bharatanatyam vocalist – Has been the lead vocalist for numerous Bharatanatyam performances.
- Composer & Collaborator –
- Set to tune several Advaita Dasa compositions.
- Continues composing varnams, pallavis, tillanas, and other Carnatic pieces.
- Conceptualized and executed experimental and innovative projects, including Vizhi and prāpti.
- Recognized performer – Regularly performed in All India Radio (Youth Concerts) and has been featured in prestigious December Season concerts for Brahma Gana Sabha, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, Meenakshi College, among others.
- Concerts across India – Has performed in multiple cities and states, receiving appreciation for her artistry.
- Certified in Carnatic Music – Completed the Certificate Course on Carnatic Music from The Madras University.
- Competition accolades –
- Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai – 1st prize in Oothukkadu Venkata Kavi Kritis, Tyagaraja Pancharatna Kritis, GNB Compositions, and Ragam Singing, 2nd prize in Papanasam Sivan Compositions.
- Swaralaya Competition, Bharat Utsav – 1st place, conducted by the Rotary Club of Madras.
- National Integration Competition – 1st place, conducted by The Music Academy, Chennai.
- Hamsadhwani, Chennai – 1st prize in the Senior Category competitions.
- Music Educator – Conducts both basic and advanced music lessons for students worldwide.
- Academic Curator –
- Curated and conducted a Certificate Course on Carnatic Music at Dr. MGR Janaki College for Women.
- Successfully conducted Carnatic music introductory sessions for school children for the Global Carnatic Musicians Association as part of its “Create a Rasika” project.
- Associates with The Blue Yonder tour company to provide authentic induction programs on Carnatic music to art-enthusiastic travellers from abroad.
- Art Entrepreneur –
- Founded and manages Nisarga Art Hub, an arts space dedicated to promoting diverse art forms.
- Curates and organizes concerts, masterclasses, and workshops to create a thriving artistic community.
- Received significant press coverage and accolades for contributions to the fine arts scene.
Professional Experience
- Carnatic Music Educator (2010 – Present)
- Teaches students across different levels globally, focusing on both theory and performance.
- Vocalist for Classical Dance Performances (2012 – Present)
- Regularly collaborates with Bharatanatyam dancers for live performances.
- Composer & Collaborator (2016 – Present)
- Continues to compose Carnatic music, including varnams, tillanas, and pallavis.
- Conceptualizes and executes innovative projects blending Carnatic music with contemporary ideas.
- Art Entrepreneur (2023 – Present)
- Co-founder and curator of Nisarga Art Hub, actively organizing events, concerts, and learning sessions.
- Focused on creating an inclusive and innovative space for artists to collaborate and perform.
- Manages operations, partnerships, and audience engagement strategies.
Education & Certifications
- Certificate Course in Carnatic Music – The Madras University
Media & Press Coverage
- Featured in The Hindu’s “2025: What Kochi Wants” as a changemaker for contributions to the fine arts scene.
- Several media outlets have highlighted her work in Carnatic music and Nisarga Art Hub’s impact on the arts community.
Himaja hails from the renowned Sempannarkoil Nadaswaram family.
She started learning music from her father and elder sister Sahana Samraj. Later she learnt from Sri P M Lakshmanan Iyer. She is currently under the tutelage of Smt. Suguna Varadachari.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Madras University and a master’s degree in music from Annamalai University. She has also completed the Advanced Course in Carnatic Music at The Music Academy. She has won several awards and prizes from renowned organizations including The Music Academy, Narada Gana Sabha, and Tamil Nadu State Government.
She is a full-time musician and teacher.
As an educator, she has taught music at the Children Gardens School and P S Matriculation School in Chennai. She has been coaching the students of the Cleveland Tyagaraja Festival’s Sustaining Sampradaya program for several years and considered one of the best coaches in the program. She also coaches’ students privately. Her students have won several competitions including Cleveland Competitions.
As a performer, she has performed for several organizations including Cleveland Tyagaraja Festival, Kalki Krishnamurthy Memorial Trust, Doordarshan, VDS Arts Academy, Ragamalika TV, and iCarnatic. She is a B-Grade artist with All India Radio.
Sahana Sreeram is a second year student at Duke University. She is a disciple of Sri Subhash Vinjamuri and Sri Kamalakiran Vinjamuri. She also learns carnatic vocal music from Kalaimamani Smt. Charumathi Ramachandran. Sahana has performed in the USA, Canada, and in Chennai Margazhi festivals/December music season. By the grace of her gurus, she was blessed to be selected as the concert competition winner in Cleveland Tyagaraja Aradhana in 2023.
PUNNUR T. R. Arvind Kaushik was born on 19th February 1993 to Sri.T.N.Rajkumar and Smt. Subbulakshmi Rajkumar. Arvind was initiated into the world of Carnatic music at the age of four. Hailing from a family of musicians and music lovers, Arvind is a percussionist who is trained in playing Mridangam Chenda Edakka and Arumukhanam.
GURUS
- Arvind has been learning under Kalaimamani Sri.S.Gopakumar(A Disciple of Sangeetha Kalanidhi T.K.Murthy) ,Pondicherry since the age of 4.
- Presently undergoing advance training in mridangam from Kalaimamani Vidwan. Sri.Mannargudi.A.Easwaran
QUALIFICATION
- Bachelor of Performing Arts -Mridangam from Bharathiyar Palkalaikoodam.
- Master’s in Music -Mridangam , Tamil Nadu Music and Fine Arts University.
- A Grade artist of All India Radio
STAGE PERFORMANCES
- A regular performer in the sabhas ,temples and other programmes he has accompanied on mridangam for various upcoming and few stalwarts. He has been accompanying various artists during the December Music Festival held at various prominent sabhas like Bharatiya vidya Bhavan, Madhuradhwani, Music Academy- Spirit of Youth series and HCL SERIES, Chennai cultural academy ,Indian fine arts Chrompet Cultural academy, Indian Fine Arts Society , Tamil Isai Sangam, MUDHRA, Cleveland Tyagaraja Aradhana and so on.
- He has also got the opportunity to render Konnakkol by being a part of many Laya Vinyasa concerts conducted by his Guru to mention a few – at Nadaneerajanam tirupathi and Mudra.
- He played mridangam for Starwarlts like MYSORE BROTHERS, PALGHAT RAMPRASAD and so on.
- He has accompanied mridangam for the bharathanatyam recitals of Sri Vaijayanthi Mala Bhali, Sri Srekalabharath, Sri Padmini Krishnamurty and various dancers in India and abroad.
- He playes for Bhagavatha Mela Natakas helds in Melattur and in various other places
AWARDS
- Yuva Kala Bharati from Bharati Yuva Kendra, Pondicherry in 2009.
- State Best Child award, Pondicherry.
- Kalai Kurinji by Sauvariammal Trust.
- Mridanga Ilavarasar by Chidambaram Dikshitar’s Association.
- Balamurali Pavitra Patra from Chennai fine arts in 2010.
- Sangeetha Mudra from Mudhra.