Board of Directors

SANKARANARAYANAN RAMANI also called as R SANKARANARAYANAN is well known performing pro musician and one among leading Mridangam artistes of Indian Classical Percussion. He hails from a traditional musical lineage of Padma Bhushan Bramashri Papanasam Sivan. His father Papanasam Sri Ramani Bhagavathar is an eminent Nama Sankeerthanam exponent & Philanthropist.

He started learning from the tender age of 3 from his paternal uncle Mridangam Vidwan Papanasam Sri R. Kumar, later continued with Vidwan Melattur Sri L. Balasubramaniam and with Mridangam Maestro & Sangeetha Vidwan Naadhabrahmam Srimushnam Sri V Rajarao. He decided to pursue Mridangam as his career from a very young age & and started professional performances accompanying Carnatic music concerts from the age of 9.

He has been performing with several leading Carnatic, Hindustani and Western Musicians. He has performed across the globe almost in 20 countries which includes the famous Festival of India at Opera House of Sydney, BBC Studios & Queen Elizabeth Hall of London, Theatre De La Ville of Paris etc.,

He is also a research scholar & holds degree of M.Phil Sanskrit literature from University of Madras with the thesis "Depiction of Mridangam in Sanskrit literature".  He has also submitted several paper presentations on Music Instruments in Ramayana, Mahabharata and also about Ancient Music Instruments of India. He has also documented over 600 varieties of Sandha Talas (lyrics composed with rhythmic metres ) of great composer Sri Arunagirinaadhar’s Tiruppugazh. He is also teaching many disciples in person and online in various age groups. He is mentoring many passionate young and serious practitioners in India & abroad for performances & propagating South Indian rhythm & grooves. He has done several master classes, lecture demonstrations & workshops in various places.

He has "A grade" from All India Radio, Chennai and has received many awards and titles including Mridanga Naada Mani & Asthana Vidwan from Sri Kanchi Kamakoti peetam, Yuva Kala Bharathi from Bharat Kalachar, Govt of India’s Ministry of Culture - Sangeet Natak Akademi's Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar award.

Sankaranarayanan has also gained several experiences by assisting his Guru in many organizations. He is also one of the Trustee & Honorary. Secretary of Sri Radhakrishna Sankeerthana Samajam Trust, Chennai for the last 15 years.

Sankaranarayanan’s quote which he engraved in his heart and suggesting each and every passionate rhythm players is that “Beats with an emotion only gives a meaningful rhythm of life” (Copyrighted-RSN)

LALITHA VARADARAJAN

is a Carnatic vocalist and teacher who has stamped her musical presence through her niche performances & presentation with clear diction and pristine musical renditions.

Tutelage

Having grown up in Thanjavur, a South Indian town famous for its rich musical heritage, Lalitha had her initial training from the age of 7 under the illustrious Vidwan late Pozhakkudi Sri Ganesa Iyer of the famous Pozhakkudi Brothers.  She then received her advanced training from Srimati Padma Sandilyan, a musician & popular teacher trained in the unique and melodious Bani of Padmashri Palghat Sri K.V. Narayanaswami for 2 decades.

Passion & Profession

Earlier Lalitha was living in Kuwait performing and teaching several students. She was very actively involved with organizations like the Kuwait Carnatic Music Forum & Bharateeya Sangeetha Sabha (BASS) through which she was enriching the uniqueness of Indian Classical music’s rich tradition and cultural values. Later she moved to Greater Toronto Area with family, at present lives and works in her passion & profession balancedly. Yet her signifying dedication & devotion to the great art form of Carnatic Classical Music effortlessly made her to perform in various parts of India, Middle East & North America. Lalitha is B High graded artiste from All India Radio, Chennai. She is also a Chartered Accountant by profession.

Teaching & Propagating Music

Lalitha devotedly teaches aspiring learners where she imparts her musical knowledge to over 100 students. Also encourages her disciples to participate in local organization’s informal concerts and all composers day events. She motivates all music learners to listen live concerts by which they gain both practical & theoretical knowledge. Lalitha believes that for a Nadopasaka, the ultimate reward is “Internal bliss.”

VASUDA SIVARAMAN

an enterprising member of the board holds a Bachelor's degree in Electronics and communication Engineering from Sri Venkateswara college of Engineering, Anna university, Chennai & MBA from ICFAI. She is currently residing in Toronto.

Vasuda is a from a traditional musical lineage & grand-daughter of Naada Sudharnava Papanasam Brahmasri Kunjumani Bhagavathar. She learnt foundations of Carnatic Vocal & Keyboard. She enjoys & appreciates  Music, painting, pottery & crochet.

She is passionate about nature, sustainability and giving back to the community in meaningful ways. She is a nature lover who loves bird watching, walks in various parks, kayaking & trekking etc.,

She currently works as a Program Manager in a company in the semi-conductor industry and she is a co-chair of Go Green employee group in her organization and has run various donation drives, Tree planting etc. along with volunteering in many such events year round. She likes to bring people together to engage in various activities that serve the community.