Music

Sheik Meera is a Grade 8 pianist from Trinity College London, music director of Uppu Puli Karam for Hotstar, and lead actor and music director in the Tamil film Pazhagiya Naatkal. With over 500 live concerts, he’s known for his work in reality shows and collaborations with A.R. Rahman, G.V. Prakash, and others. A recognized "Best Keyboard Player" and "Best Solo Instrumentalist," Sheik is also one of the few in India to own a Keytar. He continues to make his mark in the music industry with diverse projects.

Durai Srinivasan, a gifted young violinist from Chennai, hails from a renowned family of musicians and has emerged as a highly sought-after artist in the Carnatic music scene. He began his musical journey under his father, the late Durai Swaminathan, and later trained under esteemed mentors including K.V. Ramanujam and V.V. Srinivasa Rao (an AIR artist). He currently continues his advanced training under Padma Shri Kalaimamani Kumari A. Kanyakumari. Though academically accomplished with a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Durai chose to dedicate himself fully to music. He has accompanied many leading Carnatic musicians, performed extensively as a solo and freelance artist, and toured internationally across countries such as Australia, South Africa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Reunion Islands, and Canada. Known for his unique tonal quality, Durai is a versatile performer, adept not only in Carnatic music but also in genres like Western fusion, jazz, and world music. His talent was also showcased on the globally recognized Airtel Super Singer platform, where his band Top Notch earned accolades for their original compositions. He has been honored with several awards from prominent Sabhas and cultural institutions, marking him as a dynamic and promising force in the world of music.

Harini Krishnan is a multifaceted music composer, vocalist, audio engineer, and educator based in Chennai, India. As the co-founder of ViHa Sound Productions LLP, she has excelled in composing original scores for films, TV, and commercials, alongside creating immersive soundscapes and ambience design. Trained in Carnatic and contemporary music, Harini has performed in prominent events like Chennaiyil Tiruvaiyaru and Margazhi Utsavam. With expertise in studio production and digital audio workstations, she collaborates with directors and artists to deliver seamless audio-visual experiences. A passionate educator at Trichur Brothers Online School of Music, she mentors students in music theory and performance. Recognized with accolades like the Sangeetha Vidwat Bhushana and academic gold medals, Harini blends technical brilliance with artistic creativity, making her a standout talent in the music industry.

K. P. Nandini, a disciple of Smt. Lalitha Raghavan for violin and Ranjani Gayatri for vocal, is an ' A' grade artist of AIR for both violin and vocal. She is also a Central government scholarship holder for both. She has been bestowed the title of ' Sathya Gana Sunadha Sundaram' and Nadha Rathna' for the year 2022 and was the title winner of the carnatic reality show ' Swarna Sangeetham' and won the ' Golden voice of the season for the year 2013. She has many titles and awards to her credit. To name a few, YUVA KALA BHARATHI/ The MS SUBBULAKSHMI fellowship in music'/'Bala kala rathna' /'Kalaimani' /Gaana Saraswathi' ' /Vishnu Digambar paluskar award, ' Naada Rathna' and The TIMES Thyagaraja' award to name a few.She has had the privilege of performing before the then president of India ' Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and world renowned music conductor Maestro Zubin Mehta. She has also performed before the princess of Spain and has toured US and Europe extensively for performances in both capacities.

Aashray Harishankar is a composer, audio engineer, creative director, and keyboardist whose musical foundation lies in Carnatic (South Indian classical) keyboard, media scoring, and music production. Holding a BA in Music & Technology from Stevens Institute of Technology and an MFA in Music Performance & Composition from the California Institute of the Arts, Aashray is deeply committed to sonic innovation and immersive audiovisual storytelling. Known for pioneering the use of the ROLI Seaboard, a keyless keyboard, he has collaborated across disciplines in film, television, animation, dance, and visual art. While rooted in his Indian cultural heritage, he has broadened his artistic reach through work with groups like Kinnara Taiko, Gilgamesh Arts, and emerging filmmakers and animators. His recent projects, including the multidisciplinary installation Ashrama and the live performance Navarasa, blend cultural expression with experimental musical language to explore themes of refuge and emotional grounding. Ashrama, in particular, delves into the human need for shelter—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—using sound, movement, and multimedia to foster empathy and awareness. With a vision to unite artists and scientists, Aashray continues to pursue creative solutions to global challenges through an integration of art, culture, and technology.

Shriraam is a dynamic dance artist, educator, and researcher whose artistic journey spans over 25 years and is deeply rooted in Bharatanatyam, Bharata Nrityam, and the Margi technique of Karanas. Born on the lands of the Woiwurrung and Wada Wurrung people, Shriraam's practice blends classical rigor with contemporary criticality, shaped through immersive training under legendary gurus including Padma Vibhushan Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam and Dr. Gayatri Kannan at Nrithyodaya. An accomplished performer and nattuvanar, Shriraam is particularly noted for their deep musicality and command over rhythm and nattuvangam—an integral aspect of their teaching and choreography. With a foundation in Kalakshetra bani under Smt. Renuka Arumughsamy and further studies in Hatha Yoga and Kalaripayattu, Shriraam's art is informed by a holistic understanding of movement and tradition. Holding a First Class Honours Master of Dance from the University of Melbourne's Victorian College of the Arts—the first South Asian to do so—Shriraam bridges codified Indian dance with global contemporary practice. As the founder of Shri Nrityam and the Shri Nrityam Sadhana program, Shriraam mentors over 50 students across Australia, India, the UK, and Southeast Asia, using a pedagogy grounded in somatic research, critical thinking, and Saktha philosophy, making a lasting impact on the global dance landscape.

Shruthi Kezhakepuram Purushotham is a distinguished traditional dancer celebrated for her mastery of Mohiniyattam and her innovative approach that seamlessly blends classical technique with contemporary themes. Beginning her journey in Bharatanatyam under Guru Ashok Kumar and later exploring Mohiniyattam under Guru Sreedevi Unni, Shruthi eventually found her true path under the mentorship of Guru Nirmala Paniker, with whom she continues to train. Her performances reflect a deep understanding of Indian classical dance, enriched by historical and regional contexts, while also serving as a medium for personal and modern expression. A graded artist with Doordarshan and a certified assistant professor of dance by the University Grants Commission, Shruthi holds a diploma in Contemporary and Mixed Media from the Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts and postgraduate degrees in dance and English from Bharathidasan University and Bengaluru University, respectively. In 2019, she was awarded the Junior Fellowship for outstanding Mohiniyattam artists by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. An advocate for arts education, she is the author of the children’s book Mohini Made Friends, which introduces Mohiniyattam through creative nonfiction. Shruthi is the founder of Taamara Dance Centre and the managing trustee of the Taamara Foundation, both of which are dedicated to nurturing talent, promoting classical dance, and enhancing employability in the arts.

A dynamic and versatile Bharatanatyam dancer, this freelance artist has worked with some of the most celebrated names in the field, including the late Krishnaveni Lakshmanan, Anita Ratnam, Lakshmi Vishwanathan, The Dhananjayans, and Sheejith Krishna, among many others. Notable roles include Hanuman in *Ramkatha* and Sancho Panza in *Don Quixote*, both choreographed by Sheejith Krishna, as well as multiple roles in productions by Anitha Guha and performances for events such as “I Am For India” and the Swarnanjali celebration of the Narasimhacharis. Internationally, this artist has performed across the U.S., U.K., Europe, and Asia at prestigious venues and festivals, including the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana, London International Arts Festival, and Reunion Dipavali celebrations. A B-grade artist on Doordarshan and recipient of titles such as "Satya Kalpana Praveena Sundaram" and "Natya Kala Vipanchee", their expansive choreographic work spans from large-scale school productions to dance ballets and film projects, including contributions to Tamil cinema and ad campaigns. Their choreographies have been featured in national events like the 75th Republic Day Parade and international collaborations such as with Flamenco singer Antonio Carmona. With a foundation in both performance and media, they continue to contribute richly to the classical and contemporary dance landscape.

Ghirija has trained in the basics of Carnatic vocals and has participated in many community light music events in her younger years. She has performed in several stage events in Perth and has an understanding of music through her training in classical dance.