My Guru, My Art

Vidushi Lalith J. Rao (b. 1942) is a distinguished Hindustani classical vocalist of the Agra–Atrauli Gharana, celebrated for her powerful voice, intricate layakari, and mastery over forms such as khyal, dhrupad, dhamar, thumri, and tarana. Trained under stalwarts including Pandit Rama Rao Naik, Pandit Dinkar Kaikini, and Ustad Khadim Hussain Khan, she played a vital role in sustaining and popularising the gharana’s rich repertoire, alongside significant archival and pedagogic work.

Her husband, Jayavanth Rao is an electrical engineer, was a steadfast partner in this journey, encouraging her return to music after a period devoted to engineering studies and later actively contributing to the documentation, preservation, and institutional support of Hindustani classical music. Together, they represent a rare artistic partnership, blending rigorous musicianship with thoughtful archival and legacy-building efforts.

Bharathi Prathap is a leading Hindustani classical vocalist of the Agra–Atrauli Gharana. Initiated into Carnatic music at the age of seven, she later transitioned to Hindustani music while pursuing an engineering degree, training initially under the late Pt. Maruti Rao Inamdar and Pt. Rama Rao V. Naik. Since 2000, her music has been shaped by intensive tutelage under Vidushi Smt. Lalith J. Rao, under whom she continues to train in the traditional Agra–Atrauli gayaki, having given up her career as a Design Engineer to pursue music full-time.

Tara has trained intensively in Hindustani classical music. She is currently learning Khayal from Smt Lalith J Rao, and Dhrupad from Padmashree Gundecha Brothers.

Tara is the founder director of a music collective called Sunaad that has presented over one hundred shows that demystify classical music. Sunaad productions have also woven storytelling, music and theatre into the understanding of four major Upanishads.  She is Advisor to the Shankar Mahadevan Academy of Music.

Tara has presented several solo concerts in Khayal, Dhrupad and devotional music. In December 2020, she sang Dhrupad at the Tansen Music Festival in Gwalior. She was awarded the Senior Research Fellowship from Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Susheela Mehta is the disciple of Pt. Ram Rao Naik, the doyen of the Agra Gharana. She has also learnt from Padmabhushan Ustad Khadim Hussain Khan Sahib and Vidushi Lalith J. Rao, renowned musician, who has also learned from these great masters.

Manohar Patwardhan was born and brought up in Bengaluru and was initiated into Carnatic classical music at the age of seven. He later transitioned to Hindustani classical music and has been under the tutelage of the Agra Gharana doyenne, Vidushi Lalith J. Rao, for the past 14 years. Manohar holds a ‘B High’ grade in Hindustani classical and devotional music from All India Radio. Alongside his musical journey, he is a Computer Science engineer and works as a Senior Software Engineer at Amadeus Labs, Bengaluru. Closely associated with his Guru, he has accompanied Vidushi Lalith J. Rao and participated in several thematic productions conceived and directed by her, including Bhairav to Bhairavi, Agra Gharana Ek Vatavriksh, Guru Vatsalyam Shishya Sharanagatih, and Naman Sajan Piya, among others.

Nishant Panicker was initiated into Hindustani classical music at the age of six. He received vocal lessons and early inspiration from the sarod maestro Pandit Rajeev Taranath. When Taranathji moved to Mysore, he entrusted Nishant to Vidushi Lalith J. Rao, doyenne of the Agra-Atrauli Gharana. With Lalithji’s caring, encouraging and astute guidance over the past twelve years, Nishant has blossomed into a delightful performer with confidence and skill in raga vistaar, layakari and bol banaav, in line with the Agra tradition. At 18, Nishant was among the youngest in the country to have received the prestigious NCPA Hindustani Vocal Scholarship 2016-17. A regular performer in Sunaad, Nishant has sung in many productions and is also an avid Kathak dancer, with over twelve years of training. He has performed extensively throughout India and many venues in the US

Born into a revered musical lineage, Lalitha Ramesh is the daughter and disciple of the late Pt. D. S. Garud, a renowned tabla maestro and Panchakshari Awardee. Initiated into music at the tender age of four, her musical journey has been shaped by dedication and rigorous training.  After her father’s demise in 2011, she pursued advanced training under the legendary Agra Gharana vocalist Vid. Lalith J. Rao. Under her guidance, Lalitha has performed at various concerts and platforms across the country.

Vir Dasmahapatra pursues a keen interest in classical music alongside his career as a global HR leader. He is a shishya of Gurus from the Jaipur, Banaras and Agra Gharanas. Learning from Vid. Lalith Rao since 2012, Vir has participated in several thematic group concerts as well as solo recitals in India and abroad.

Surya is a harmonium artist trained initially under Sri Ananth Bhagwath and later under Pandit Ravindra Katoti. Known for his sensitive accompaniment and attentive musical dialogue, he has worked with several senior and emerging musicians across the Hindustani classical circuit. His playing reflects a deep regard for melodic clarity and rhythmic balance, supporting vocal and instrumental performances with restraint and responsiveness.

Yogeesh Bhat is an Indian classical percussionist who specializes in tabla and is recognized as one of the finest abla artists of the upcoming younger generation of India, known for sensitive and thoughtful tabla accompaniment and solo performances. He was born in a music-devoted family which hails from Sagar, Shivamogga of Karnataka. His tabla lessons began at the tender age of 4 from Vidwan Bhaskar Hegde Muttige and later he pursued it from Pt. Madivalayya Sali. Presently he is mentored and undergoing advanced training from internationally renowned tabla artiste Pt. Ravindra Yavagal and Sri Kiran Yavagal of Bengaluru respectively.