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Deepa D has built a career at the intersection of text, movement, and light. She has written for The Caravan, Mint Lounge, and The Pioneer, and co-authored Mapping Innovation in India’s Creative Industries (Routledge, 2023). Her play Kaikeyi (2006) was staged at NSD’s Bharat Rang Mahotsav, while her choreographies Migrations (2010) and Gandhi: Warp & Weft (2012) have toured widely, including at the Chameleon Festival in New York. Designing lights since 2007, she has taught at the Drama School, Mumbai, and trained in dance and lighting design at the University of Minnesota.

A singer, composer, and seeker of new musical forms, Bindhumalini Narayanaswamy draws inspiration from the poetry of mystic saints and India’s diverse folk traditions. She has directed music for films in Tamil, Kannada, and other languages, and her work for Nathicharami earned both the National Film Award and Filmfare Award for Best Singer. In 2023, she received the META Award for Sound and Music Design for Do You Know This Song?. Whether performing in villages or on global stages, Bindhumalini brings an emotive voice that bridges classical depth and contemporary expression.

Charu Hariharan brings Carnatic training into dialogue with global traditions in her work as a percussionist, singer, and composer. She has performed with Grammy-nominated Pt. Debashish Bhattacharya on O! Shakuntala, joined the world folk ensemble Varldens Band, and co-created cross-cultural projects such as Spirala and Crossover Project with Carola Ortiz. Charu has composed for films, documentaries, and dance productions, and collaborated with Oscar-winning composers M. M. Keeravani (RRR) and A. R. Rahman with the Firdaus Orchestra. Equally grounded in tradition and collaboration, her music speaks across genres, geographies, and audiences.

Deepika Karthik Kumar works across Carnatic, Hindustani, choral, and contemporary traditions. As a singer, songwriter, and composer, she founded the independent band Kadhaigal and The Students Project, and is a member of The Indian Choral Ensemble as performer and composer. Her music spans films, Bharatanatyam productions, and original compositions that weave classical training with modern sensibilities. Holding master’s degrees in Human Genetics and Carnatic Music (vocals), she is currently pursuing a doctorate that bridges the two fields. As a lyricist, arranger, and vocal coach, Deepika brings scientific precision and creative imagination to the evolving landscape of Indian music.

A disciple of Ustad Faiyaz Khan, Gurupriya Atreya lends her voice to film playback, commercial jingles, and independent music projects. Her single Kula by Rashtra Kavi Kuvempu featured at The Times Literary Festival, while her album Padma Paadham, composed by her father, honored her late mother. Through initiatives like The Living Room Kutcheri, Sing A Lullaby, and the Arts Practitioner Programme, she builds spaces for connection and inclusivity through music. Blending classical grounding with contemporary practice, Gurupriya’s work reflects a commitment to community, memory, and the role of voice in shaping shared cultural experience.

Vinayak Netke bridges classical traditions with contemporary soundscapes through his compositions and tabla performances. He directed music for the films Michael and Music Meri Jaan, scored Miss Tanakpur and Traffic, and composes for television, ads, dance, and theatre. As a performer, he has accompanied legends including Dr. N. Rajam, Lata Mangeshkar, Kishori Amonkar, Jagjit Singh, and Shankar Mahadevan. Internationally, he plays with fusion ensembles such as Indo-Slovenian band Aritmija, Balkan–Indian band Zamee, global fusion group RRC, and world music collective Zariya. His career reflects a rare versatility, moving with ease from classical tabla to cross-border collaborations.

Hitesh Dhutia is known for crafting evocative soundscapes that merge genres and traditions. His performances span global stages including the Koktebel Jazz Party in Crimea, Royal Festival Hall in London, and Dancing the Gods Festival in New York. In theatre, he won the META Award for Most Innovative Sound for Rage and Beyond: Irawati’s Gandhari (2015). He has toured internationally with the Rajeev Raja Combine, including ICCR-supported concerts in the Netherlands and South Africa. Currently with Brand Musiq and RRC, Hitesh continues to experiment with sound as both performer and composer.

Lighting designer Niranjan Gokhale trained in theatre at the University of Pune before completing an MFA in Lighting Design at the University of Georgia, USA. He has collaborated with leading artists including Aditi Mangaldas, Bijayini Satpathy, Malavika Sarukkai, Rukmini Vijayakumar, Diya Naidu, Abhishek Majumdar, Roysten Abel, and Mira Nair. Closely associated with Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts and Cordelia Cruises’ MV Empress, he also advises performance venues on lighting systems. Known for combining technical rigor with creative experimentation, Niranjan freely shares his expertise by supporting younger designers and providing open-access tech resources to the theatre community.

Theatre technician Leslie Andrews David has worked across lighting, sound, set design, and production for more than four decades. Introduced to theatre at 14, he has since built a reputation for creative problem-solving and meticulous execution. As part of Invisible Lighting, he has long been associated with the International Theatre Festival of Kerala’s technical team. His practice spans experimental and independent theatre, where he continues to innovate behind the scenes. With deep knowledge across disciplines and a passion for live performance, Leslie embodies the collaborative spirit that sustains theatre as both craft and community.