Celebrating 25 years of teaching at the Bhavan in 2009, Karnatic Vocal and Vina students are lucky to have a teacher of Sivasakti Sivanesan’s calibre to guide them. Her commitment towards teaching and preparing students to a professional standard is very special because she is compassionate yet disciplined. She has trained several students to Arangetram level and beyond. She is a well known vocalist and Vina player as well as a fully trained Nattuvangam artiste. Bhavan owes a lot to Sivasakti’s contribution to the Karnatic Music section.
Contact
T. 020 7381 3086
E. sivasakti.sivanesan@bhavan.net
He is arguably the most committed, creative and affectionate teacher of Bharatnatyam in this part of the world. When one traces the development of Bharatnatyam in the UK, the role played by Prakashji in popularising this art will be most significant. As a teacher, as a performer, as a choreographer, his contribution to Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, UK, is unique and many students trained under him have established themselves as professional artistes, choreographers and artistes.
Prakashji joins Sivasakti Sivanesan in celebrating a great milestone in 2009. He too has now completed 25 glorious years of teaching at the Bhavan.
Contact
T. 020 7381 3086
E. prakash.yadagudde@bhavan.net
Sanjay Guha
Sanjay Guha is one of the established Sitar artistes in the arena of Indian classical music. He belongs to the Maihar-Senia gharana tradition. His musical tutelage began at an early age under the tutelage of his uncle, Sri Satyabrata Guha (disciple of the late Pandit Balram Pathak). He later received training from the Sarod maestro, the late Radhika Mohan Maitra, and for the last 24 years he has been taking taaleem from Pandit Deepak Chowdhury (disciple of the great Sitar maestro Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar). Sanjay Guha has also in addition, been getting special guidance from Pandit Ravi Shankar since 2004.
Contact
T. 020 7381 3086
E. sanjay.guha@bhavan.net
M. Balachandar
Bala, as he is popularly known, is a star and a brilliant Mridangam artiste. His understanding of the situation and his playing of the Mridangam are unmatched. As a teacher, as a composer, and as an accompanist, Bala is simply wonderful. Bhavan and his students have richly benefited from his services as can be seen by his production line of outstandingly versatile young percussionists. Bala has also accompanied all the top musicians and dancers of the North and South.
Contact
T. 020 7381 3086
E. m.balachandar@bhavan.net
Abhay Shankar Mishra
Sri Abhay Shankar Mishra – who represents the best of the Lucknow, Banaras and Jaipur Gharanas (traditions) – is our full time Kathak teacher. He hails from a family of classical musicians and teachers. He is the disciple of Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj and has also studied under Urmila Nagar and Pandit Pandey Maharaj. He is a stunning performer and a brilliant teacher. He has taught at both the Kathak Kendra and Sahitya Kala Parishad in Delhi and has performed at many festivals in India and abroad. He is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding Kathak artistes of the present day.
Contact
T. 020 7381 3086
E. abhay_shankar.mishra@bhavan.net
Rajkumar Misra
Rajkumar Mishra is our Tabla teacher. He hails from Calcutta and belongs to a family of musicians and dancers. He learned music under Pandit Ram Gopal Mishra, Pandit Gnan Prakash Ghosh and Shankar Ghosh. He is also very proficient at accompanying in Kathak dance, an art he perfected with his mother Sushmita Mishra. He has toured extensively in India and abroad and has accompanied many of India’s most renowned musicians and Kathak dancers.
Contact
T. 020 7381 3086
E. rajkumar.mishra@bhavan.net
Chandrima Misra
Chandrima Misra is our full-time teacher of Hindustani Vocal and Harmonium. She belongs to the Patiala Gharana. Coming from a family of musicians Chandrima is a disciple of the very well known Hindustani Vocalists Ustad Munawar Ali Khan and Mrs. Sanjukta Ghosh of Kolkata. She is also a professional singer.
Contact
T. 020 7381 3086
E. chandrima.misra@bhavan.net
This talented young musician made a name for himself in India where he gave solo concerts as well as accompanying many famous musicians. Balu’s bowing and fingering techniques have met with interest and approval. He is also a talented composer and is arguably the most professional solo violin artiste and accompanist in the UK.
Contact
T. 020 7381 3086
E. balu.raguraman@bhavan.net
Dr John Marr
Mrs Wendy Marr
Dr M N Nandakumara
Dr Satyanarayana Shastry
Mr Babu Ram
Mr Clive Bell
Mr Pitchaippa Gnanavarathan
Mrs Sajali Roy
Mrs Parvati Nair
Swapnokalpa
Mrs Namita Acharya
Mr Krishen Arora
Dr Radha Bhatt
Ms Eva Farmer
Mrs Shanta Manian
Mr Ramanbhai Patel
Mr John Shirbon/Ursula
Subhanu Saxena
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