I consider myself a student of music for lifetime.
Today, I learn from my guru and dear akka Smt. Sumithra Vasudev (Carnatic Classical Vocal, 2012 – present), who herself is the pradhana sishya of Sangita Kalanidhi Smt. R. Vedavalli. She has nurtured me with conversations that stimulates my musical facet and is the sole reason I hold a unique perspective on Carnatic music – which is difficult to express merely through words.
I also learn from guru Sri. Samrat Pandit (Hindustani Classical Vocal, 2021 – present), an exponent of Patiala Gharana, a school of Hindustani classical vocal music. Born into a family surrounded by music – his father late Pt Jagdish Prasad was a disciple of Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, the doyen of Patiala Gharana and his grandfather Pt Badri Prasad was a court musician of Raigarh.
Music in my life traces back to childhood days – when I was about 6 or 7 years old. Since then, I came under the training of my beloved grandfather and guru Late Thirupoonthuruthy Sri V Venkatesan (Carnatic Classical Vocal, 1994 – 2017).
I feel extremely blessed and fortunate to have known and learnt from Sangita Kala Acharya Late Chingelput Sri Ranganathan (Carnatic Classical Vocal, 2002-2011). He was a guru, who was always giving and expected nothing else from his pupils.
I’d say that all my gurus have laid a strong foundation for both my music as well as life.
I was also under the tutelage of Parur M S Anantharaman & Akkarai Sri S Swamynathan for a brief period learning the western instrument, Violin (Carnatic Classical Violin, 1995-2010).
An innate interest for Hindustani Classical form of Music led to an association with Guruji Late Ustad Ghulam Akbar Khan, who belongs to the Rampur Sahaswan Khayal Gharana, from whom I learnt Hindustani Classical Vocal (2012 – 2015).
Chennai, the land of opportunities for music enthusiasts paved way for me to learn from several stalwarts. At various points in time, in the form of workshops, lectures, seminars, scholarship programs, I gathered musical experiences from Smt. R Vedavalli, Smt. R S Jayalakshmi, Smt. Suguna Varadachari, Trichy Sri. J Venkatraman, Sri. B Krishnamoorthy, Smt. Rama Ravi, Sri S R Janakiraman, Sri. Vijay Siva, Smt. Rukmani Ramani, Smt. Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, Chitravina Sri. Ravikiran to name a few.
