Lines Unbound

Yamini Kalluri, a celebrated Kuchipudi dancer, choreographer, and educator, is redefining classical dance with her innovative blend of tradition and contemporary influence. Her unique artistry is rooted in her formal training under Padmashri Dr. Sobha Naidu and at Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, as well as her training in ballet and modern dance at the prestigious Martha Graham School in New York.

Yamini is deeply committed to teaching, choreographing, and developing new, original work that resonates with a global audience. She is the visionary founder of the Kritya Foundation, fostering an environment for bold experimentation while preserving Kuchipudi’s classical essence. She has also taught at the Mark Morris Dance Center and Martha Graham School, reflecting her commitment to elevating Kuchipudi on the global stage.

Yamini’s work has been showcased at renowned venues including Symphony Space (New York) and Mechanics Hall (Massachusetts), and she has collaborated with such internationally acclaimed artists as Vijay Gupta, Reena Esmail, and Sunny Jain. Her choreographic commissions with the Asian American Ballet Project and Music Worcester showcase her visionary approach to blending cultural traditions with contemporary narratives. She is also a recipient of the Pandit Jasraj Scholarship from Pt. Jasraj himself and the Katta Sarojini Devi Gold Medal from her Guru.

As curator of the NY Kuchipudi Dance Festival and through groundbreaking collaborations with the Kritya Ensemble, Yamini champions the art of Kuchipudi worldwide.

With deep roots and a global outlook, Yamini continues to redefine the future of Kuchipudi through performance, composition, and education, creating an artistic expression that speaks to both traditional and contemporary audiences.

Neville started piano lessons with his father when he was 1 and was soon composing short pieces. Neville began performing across India at the age of 10, with the support of Bangalore School of Music.

He is the recipient of numerous music awardı: the Capt. Alvares Trophy for Excellence, Peter Coelho Memorial Award for Music, Fewkes Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Musician, to name a few. At 16, he carried his Associate Diploma (ATCL) from The Trinity College, London with distinction.

He placed first at the CON BRIO All India Piano Competition held in Mumbai in July 2011. Neville continued his piano studies in Bangalore with Belarusian concert pianist Natallia Kapylova while pursuing his undergraduate degree at St. Joseph’s College of Commerce. Bangalore and also obtained his Licentiate Diploma from The Trinity College, London (LTCI) in 2011.

In November 2014, Neville completed his Master’s Degree in Music Performance, with Distinction, from The University of Southampton, England, where he studied under renowned pianist and composer, David Owen Norris. In 2015, he also earned his second Master’s Degree in Composition for Moving Images from City University, London, which marked his venture into the world of film composition and music production.

Steinway & Sons have endorsed him as a “Young Steinway Artist and he is a recipient of the Elfrun Gabriel Stipendium 2017-2018. He now heads the production department of the firm. Groves in Hamburg, producing and composing music for TV and film, along with regular concerts. He also has a keen interest in aviation and is a glider pilot.

Gulzara Shakir (Violin): Gulzara Shakir is the Concertmaster of the SOI Chamber Orchestra and Administrator of the NCPA Special Music Training Programme in Mumbai. Originally from Kazakhstan, she began her association with the Symphony Orchestra of India in 2004 as a member of Marat Bisengaliev’s West Kazakhstan Philharmonic Orchestra and joined the SOI as a resident teacher and musician in 2015. Coming from a musical family, Shakir is deeply committed to both performance and education, finding joy in guiding young musicians and sharing her passion for classical music. Inspired by the works of Debussy, Ravel, and Puccini, she believes music is a universal language that unites people beyond all boundaries.