Summer School 2025

THE BHAVAN’S SUMMER SCHOOL Sun 20 Jul - Sun 10 Aug 2025

Vid. BALU RAGURAMAN - Karnatic Violin A Fellow of Trinity College, London, Balu Raguraman is a talented Karnatic violinist who has performed extensively worldwide with musicians from Western classical, jazz and African music traditions. He is an innovative musician who has worked with great maestros like Dr. Balamurali Krishna, Dr. N Ramani, and Prof. T V Gopalakrishna. Sri Raguraman is The Bhavan’s resident Violin teacher.

Supported by Lifelines International

Dr. SOUNDARYA SRIVATHSA - Bharatanatyam A distinguished Bharatanatyam dancer from the Pandanallur tradition, Dr. Soundarya Srivathsa trained under Guru Smt. Narmada and Guru Smt. Bhanumathi. She holds a doctorate in Dance from Bangalore University and has choreographed acclaimed productions such as Thyagaraja and Draupadi.

She is a guest faculty at Jain University and co-directs Nartana Keertana Centre for Performing Arts with her singerhusband, D.S. Srivathsa. Assisted by Vid. Sri Prakash Yadagudde.

Vid. RUCHIRA PANDA - Hindustani Vocal Vidushi Ruchira Panda, a leading exponent of the Kotali Gharana, trained under Pandit Manas Chakraborty for over 25 years. She is known for her mastery of Khayal, Thumri, Tappa, and Bhajan, and is an "A" grade artist with All India Radio. Founder of the non-profit Paramparik, she actively promotes cultural, educational, and healthcare initiatives. Assisted by Vid. Smt. Chandrima Misra.

Dr. Soundarya Srivathsha

Vid.Ruchira Panda

Guru Vanashree Rao

Dr. Abhay Shankar Mishra

Dr. Swapnokalpa Dasgupta

Pt. BIVASH SENGUPTA - Tabla Renowned tabla artist and mentor, Pandit Bivash Sengupta trained under Padmabhushan Pt. Jnan Prakash Ghosh for 18 years and later under Pt. Suresh Talwalkar.

A Gold Medalist from Pracheen Kala Kendra, he is an A-Grade artist with All India Radio & Television and an empaneled artist of ICCR & SPIC MACAY. He has performed worldwide, collaborating with maestros like Ust. Shahid Parvez Khan and Pandit Kushal Das. Assisted by Pt. Rajkumar Misra.

Guru VANASHREE RAO – Kuchipudi A celebrated Kuchipudi dancer, choreographer, and guru, Guru Vanashree Rao has received over 600 national and international awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. She has pioneered cross-disciplinary choreographic works, blending Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, and Chhau. Assisted by Guru Smt. Arunima Kumar.

Dr. ABHAY SHANKAR MISHRA - Kathak One of India's leading exponents of Kathak, Dr. Abhay Shankar Mishra trained under Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj and has mastered the Lucknow, Jaipur, and Banaras gharanas. A dynamic performer, teacher, and choreographer, he previously served as The Bhavan London’s resident teacher. Assisted by Abhinav Mishra and Shreetama Mukherjee.

Vid. M. BALACHANDAR - Mridangam A talented performer and teacher, M. Balachandar has accompanied some of the greatest Indian classical musicians including sitar legend late Pandit Ravi Shankar and the famous Dr. Balamurali Krishna. Several of his former students have gone on to become successful professional artists including Pirashanna Thevarajah who toured with Anoushka Shankar. M Balachandar is The Bhavan’s resident Mridangam teacher.

Vid.Balu Raguraman

Vid. M Balachandar

Pt. Bivash Sengupta

Ustad Mehboob Nadeem

Dr. SWAPNOKALPA DASGUPTA - Odissi Dr. Swapnokalpa Dasgupta is an acclaimed Odissi dancer, teacher, and choreographer from Mumbai.

A student of Padmavibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and his disciples, she has led the Dance Department at the NCPA for 13 years. She is the recipient of prestigious awards, including the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar and the Kanak Nartan Puraskar. Holding a doctorate in Dance and a Master’s degree in Arts management, she founded the Odissi department at The Bhavan, London, and frequently conducts workshops worldwide. Assisted by Katrina Rute.

Dr. S.K. VENKATACHARYULU - Karnatic Vocal Dr. S.K. Venkatacharyulu is a highly respected Karnatic vocalist with over 60 years of experience. Trained by Vidwan S.K. Tirumalacharyulu and Dr. Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana, he holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in Music. A recipient of numerous accolades, he has performed globally and mentored many musicians. He is the founder of the Pallavi Academy of Fine Arts.

Assisted by Vid. Sri Sampat Kumarachary Daruri.

Dr. INDU BAROT - Hindi Dr. Indu Barot has a Master’s in Sanskrit and in Computer Science. She writes poetry, articles, and stories, and is also a translator of Hindi, Sanskrit ad English works. She is the resident teacher at The Bhavan.

SMT. SAJALI ROY - Bengali Music Smt. Sajali Roy has been teaching at The Bhavan since 2005. Her gurus include the late Dr. Jamini Nath Ganguly, late Dr. Biman Mukhopadhay, Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty and Jharna Banerjee. She has directed and performed shows across India, Bangladesh, and in the UK. A qualified Sangeet Prabhakar (teacher), she teaches Bengali song-forms such as Rabindrasangeet, Nazrul Geeti, Dwijendra Geeti, Atul Prasadi, Rajnikanth and Raag Pradhan

Ustad MEHBOOB NADEEM - Sitar Born into a highly illustrious family of traditional musicians of the Agra Gharana, Mehboob is the grandson of the legendary Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan (Pranpiya) and Gayan Samrat Ustad Azmat Hussain Khan (Dilrang).

Mehboob was initiated in music by his father Ustad Yakub Hussain, and began his sitar training under his uncle Shri Rafat Khan. He is now under the guidance of sitar maestro Pandit Arvind Parikh of the Vilayatkhani Gharana. Mehboob Nadeem is The Bhavan’s resident Sitar teacher.

Dr. S K Venkatacharyulu

Dr. Indu Barot

Smt. Sajali Roy

Hanna Whiteman

HANNA WHITEMAN - Art Hanna Whiteman is a London-based print designer passionate about sustainability and inspired by a profound love for nature. Her designs celebrate the organic beauty of plants and flowers while reflecting her commitment to eco-friendly practices.

Hanna is also an experienced educator and the founder of Studio Hache.