Kalālayā

Vidhya Venkat is the visionary Founder of Kalālayā. A Computer Science Engineer by education, Vidhya spent 6 successful years navigating the corporate tech world with industry giants like Infosys and Cognizant. However, a higher calling eventually guided her back to her truest lifelong passions - singing, teaching and connecting with scriptures. Her musical journey has been enriched under the guidance of esteemed gurus such as Mrs. Ashwathy Balaji, Mrs. Kala Baburao, Mrs. Vaidehi, and Sriman Karur Krishnamoorthy Sir. She had trained in Bharatanatyam for over 9 years under Mrs. Usha. She has also learnt to play Veena. As a vocalist, she has contributed to Mantra Trance albums alongside His Grace Yashoda Kumara Dasa, who has been a pillar of support and has composed music for 3 of her albums - Rasika Vaibhava, Rama Vaibhava and Krishna Vaibhava. Beyond music, Vidhya is deeply committed to sharing spiritual wisdom. She is among the few volunteers teaching the Bhagavad Gita at her alma mater, and she continues to inspire teachers, students of Kalālayā, and seekers everywhere with its timeless teachings. An artist since childhood, she chose to step away from the corporate ladder to embrace what felt like a divinely orchestrated path. What began as sharing stories from Puranas, Ithihasas and the beauty of Carnatic music with loved ones has beautifully blossomed into Kalālayā: a thriving cottage dedicated to nurturing music and spirituality in hearts worldwide.

Shruthi Aravind is a multi-talented artist and dedicated educator at Kalālayā, bringing a rich blend of artistic mastery and structured learning to her students. As a trained Carnatic vocalist with over 15 years of deep study, her musical journey began at AIMA under the legendary Padma Vibhushan Dr. T. V. Gopalakrishnan, and she continues to hone her craft under Smt. Mrudula Narayanan at Sri Dhikshitar’s Academy. Parallel to her music, Shruthi is an accomplished Bharathanatyam dancer, having stepped into the art form at age seven under Dr. Radhika Shurajit (Thrayee School of Dance), and currently advancing her training under the esteemed Dr. S. Shivakumar and Dr. Sailaja Shivakumar at Shivakalalayam Academy (SAIPA). Professionally, Shruthi bridges the worlds of art and technology; she holds a B.Tech in Computer Science (Big Data Analytics) from SRM IST and thrives as a Data Analyst at Deloitte. Known for her sincerity, patience, and engaging approach, Shruthi specializes in teaching children, making classical arts both accessible and deeply captivating for the next generation.

Sudhakshina Magesh Krishnan, a powerhouse of talent, academia, and artistry. With 20 years of rich training in Carnatic music under Smt. Hemamalini Govindarajan and current guidance from Smt. Uma Shekhar, Sudhakshina’s musical roots run deep. To further enrich her artistry, she is also learning the Veena under Smt. Lakshmi Venkatraman. Her academic profile is equally formidable: she holds a B.Com from Stella Maris College, is pursuing her Master’s in Carnatic Music from TNJMU, and has already cleared her CMA Intermediate exams while preparing for the Finals. Over the years, she has mentored countless students online and offline, using creative techniques to make both theory and practical music engaging. How does she manage all of this while raising a toddler? Her seamless ability to handle a packed schedule with grace and zero compromise is a true antidote to laziness and a massive inspiration to everyone who knows her!

Sri Sahasra is a brilliantly talented and multi-faceted young artist who has dedicated over twelve years to the intensive study of both Carnatic Vocal Music and Bharatanatyam under the esteemed guidance of Smt. Hemamalini Govindarajan. This deep-rooted artistic foundation serves as the bedrock for her dual academic pursuits, as she is simultaneously balancing a B.A. in Performing Arts from MGR Janaki College with a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) from SRM University - a rare and impressive bridge between traditional arts and modern technology. Alongside her sister, Sudhakshina Magesh Krishnan, Sri Sahasra co-teaches Carnatic vocal and Bharatanatyam classes, passing on their shared artistic lineage to the next generation. Characterized by her incredibly active, bright, and bubbly personality, she possesses a natural gift for teaching. Her radiant, high-spirited enthusiasm is truly infectious, instantly transforming her classroom into a space of joy where her immense positive energy is effortlessly transmitted to every student she guides.

Hailing from Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, K. T. Vanisri is a dedicated and versatile musician whose lifelong artistic journey began in childhood under the guidance of her mother, Chellammal, who taught her both Carnatic Vocal Music and the Veena. Though she initially completed a B.Com degree and paused her formal studies to raise a family, her enduring passion led her to return to academia after her daughter's marriage, earning a Bachelor of Music in Veena under the expert tutelage of K. R. Shrievats. A gifted polyglot fluent in Telugu, Tamil, English, and Hindi, Vanisri is currently learning Sanskrit - a language in which she boasts flawless pronunciation. She is also currently learning Pracheena Sampradaya Bhajan under Sri Srivanchiyam Murali Bhagavathar. Today, she balances her time singing wonderfully, playing Veena beautifully and also as a deeply sincere educator, passionately imparting the rich traditions of classical music to the next generation.

Aparna Mukundan holds a Postgraduate degree in Microbiology and brings a deeply systematic yet engaging approach to music education at Kalālayā, where she teaches beginner Carnatic lessons and Bhajans. Her musical journey began under the guidance of Smt. Rajee Srinivasan, and she continues to hone her artistry under the tutelage of Kum. Sruthi Kailas. Driven by a selfless desire to give back to the community, Aparna views music as a service rather than a commercial venture; her primary focus is always on delivering the highest quality education and genuinely nurturing her students' potential. Beyond teaching, she is deeply spiritual, finding joy in Namasankirtanam and spiritual discourses. Based in Sharjah, UAE, she beautifully balances her passion for music with her role as a dedicated homemaker and a loving mother.