Dr. Sohini Ray

MANIPURI

Today, a versatile performer, director, choreographer, ​teacher and scholar, she has her own institute Manipuri ​Dance Visions based in Los Angeles, USA along with its ​performing unit the Manipuri dance Visions Ensemble.

She has toured all over India, USA, Canada, UK, Germany ​and Poland receiving rave reviews from the press. She ​received the “Los Angeles Treasurers Award” given by ​the Dept. of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles and ​several other grants in California.

She has been a two-time nominee in 2007 and 2011 and ​a winner in 2008 of prestigious Lester Horton Award ​given by the Dance Resource Center of Los Angeles. She ​was the first Manipuri dancer to receive the prestigious ​Devdasi National Award from Odisha Nrutya Kala ​Mandir, Odisha, India in 2013.

• Student of the legendary Guru Bipin Singh, since ​the age of seven.

• First student in Manipuri Nartanalaya to learn and ​perform Manipuri drumming at the age of ten.

• Performed with the Jhaveri sisters since the age ​of thirteen.

• Received the National Cultural Talent ​scholarship, Government of India at the age of ​fourteen.

• Conferred the 'Shringar Mani' award from Sur ​Shringar Samsad, Mumbai, in her early twenties.

• Won the first prize in Manipuri dance in the State ​Youth festival of West Bengal Rajya Sangeet ​Academy.
  

Aug 4, 2024

Jim

Santi

Owen

Tabla

Jim Santi Owen

TABLA

His work as a composer/producer is featured ​on Meta’s (Facebook’s) Sound Collection which ​has released over 150 of his original and ​traditional world music tracks used on ​Facebook and Instagram for over 16 million ​reels and other user-generated content.

Owen served a 3-year term as a panelist on the ​Zellerbach Family Fund’s Community Arts ​Panel and served for six years as Chair of the ​Funding Advisory Committee for the Cultural ​Affairs Division of the City of Oakland.

He was recently appointed as a Cultural Affairs ​Commissioner by the Mayor of Oakland.

Aug 4, 2024

Vishnu R is an award-winning Indian Classical ​& Jazz musician, composer and the inventor ​of the new, unique 9-string instrument ​NAVTAR (patented).

A Fellow of the US Govt. Bureau of ​Educational & Cultural Affairs, Mentor of ​British Council's India-UK Exchange and a ​Grade 8 Western Classical graduate from the ​Trinity College of London, Vishnu is the ​recipient of prestigious awards such as ‘Best ​Performer & Composition Award’ Beyond ​Music International Project (Switzerland), ​Karnataka Rajyothsava.

He has collaborated with leading artists such ​as 5-time GRAMMY award-winning artists ​Snarky Puppy, Padmavibhushan ​Umayalapuram K. Sivaraman, Padmashri ​A.Kanyakumari, Vijay Prakash, Singer Karthik, ​Guitar Pasanna to name a few.

Vishnu R

Aug 4, 2024

Surya

Ravi

Bharatha

nrityam

Aug 4, 2024

sarod

Souryadeep

Bhattacharya

Souryadeep ​Bhattacharya

• Empaneled Artist of the Indian Council for Cultural ​Relations (ICCR), Government of India

• B-High Grade permanent artist affiliated with All India ​Radio
  

• National Gold Medalist in Instrumental Music by the ​Association of Indian Universities
  

• Junior and Senior National Scholarship recipient from ​the Ministry of Culture, Government of India
  

• “Sangeet Visharad” and “Sangeet Ratna" in ​Instrumental Music from Sabobharatiya Sangeet-o-​Sanskriti Parishad
  

• “Pt. Nikhil Banerjee Memorial Trophy for the Best ​Instrumental Performer” by the Dover Lane Music ​Conference
  

• IndianRaga Senior Fellow and Creative Director
  

• Best All-Round Graduate of Jadavpur University, India
  

• Dr. Shanker Dayal Sharma Medal for Best All-Round ​Post Graduate of IIT Kanpur, India
  

• "Atlanta Indian Idol" Winner, Indian American Cultural ​Association
  

• Souryadeep Bhattacharyya is a well-known name among the ​new generation of Indian classical musicians. He started his ​musical journey at the tender age of four years under the ​tutelage of sarodiya late Sri Jayanta Roy Chowdhury in the ​Rampur-Shahjahanpur Gharana (style) of Sarod playing.

• From the age of twelve years, Souryadeep has been the disciple ​of the legendary sarodiya Pt.Alok Lahiri under Guru-Shishya ​Parampara and he also receives guidance from his Gurudada Sri ​Abhisek Lahiri at present.

• Souryadeep's playing style encompasses the Maihar, ​Shahjahanpur and Gwalior gharanas of sarod; a strong believer ​in the universality of music, Souryadeep has been integral to ​several world music groups and collaborations with other ​musicians across genres.
  

• Aditya Srivatsan has been studying Tabla ​under Guru Pandit Shantilal Shah since 2003. ​He has also had the opportunity to receive ​training under Ustad Zakir Hussain by ​attending his annual workshops since 2011.

• Aditya has performed extensively in the US ​for both Hindustani and Carnatic concerts as ​he has received training in both styles. He has ​won first place in the 2012 Cleveland ​Thyagaraja Music Festival for both the Tabla ​Solo and Accompaniment competitions and ​was also selected as a 2014 Indian Raga ​Fellow. In addition, Aditya is also adept at ​playing Western Classical Violin.

• Aditya has a bachelor’s and master’s degree ​from Stanford University in Mechanical ​Engineering. He went on to complete medical ​school and is currently a Neurology Physician ​Resident at Stanford Hospital.
  

MRIDANGAM

AJAY GOPI

VEENA

HRISHIKESH CHARY

VEENA

PRIYANKA CHARI

HINDUSTANI VOCAL

RADHIKA BHALERAO

TABLA

SAURABH KUMAR

HARMONIUM

SIDDHANT CHAWLA

CARNATIC VOCAL

MADHAV IYENGAR

MAYA

RAU-MURTHY

CHITKALA

TEAM

Maya is a Konnakol artist, ​rapper, Bharatanatyam dancer, ​mridangist, composer, performer, ​choreographer, and co-director ​of Natya Anubhava Dance ​Academy. Over the past 5 years, ​she has had the privilege of ​studying the Natya Shastra under ​Guru Ashwini Srivatsan.

ASHWINI SRIVATSAN

.Ashwini Srivatsan, founder of Kanha School of Dance, is an Indian classical dancer with over 25 years of training in Bharatanatyam from the renowned Guru, Smt. Nirmala Madhava of Pampa and training in "Bharatanrityam" from the Late. Guru. Smt.Sundari Santhanam (disciple of Padma Bhushan Smt. Padma Subramaniam). In addition, she has extensively studied other dance forms such as Kathak, Jazz and Contemporary dance at UC Santa Cruz.

Ashwini Srivatsan's pursuit of knowledge in dance and the performing arts goes beyond her training in Bharatanatyam and other dance forms. She has also delved deeply into the study of the Natya Shastra, an ancient Indian text on performing arts. Under the guidance of Shri Piyal Bhattacharya, a renowned Tagore research scholar, director, and dancer from Kerala Kalamandalam, as well as the founder of Chidakash Kalalay in Kolkata, Ashwini has studied the Natya Shastra in great depth.

Beyond the Natya Shastra, Ashwini has had the privilege of exploring various Indian philosophies under Piyal Bhattacharya's guidance. These include Nyaya, which deals with logic and reasoning, Vaisesika, which focuses on atomism and metaphysics, and Shaivism, which explores the philosophical aspects of Shaiva traditions. Understanding the connection between these philosophical concepts and their application in performing arts has enriched Ashwini's artistic approach and deepened her understanding of the cultural and historical context of her dance practice.

Through her in-depth study of the Natya Shastra and Indian philosophies, Ashwini Srivatsan has acquired a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical and philosophical foundations of Indian classical dance. This knowledge informs her performances, teaching, and choreography, allowing her to embody and express the essence of these ancient art forms in a profound and authentic manner.

Ashwini Srivatsan has also studied Sadir, an ancient dance form that predates Bharatanatyam, under the guidance of Dr. Swarnamalya Ganesh. Dr. Swarnamalya Ganesh is a renowned dancer, scholar, and exponent of various Indian dance forms.

Is Chitkala a platform for bay ​area artists only ?

Q:

What kind of presentations are ​you looking for?

Q:

A:

If I am not a bay area local, can I ​collaborate with someone from ​the bay area ?

We are open to this idea. You can include ​details in the proposal section of the ​application.

If I don’t live in the bay area, and I get ​selected, will Chitkala pay for my ​travel/airfare and stay ?

At the moment, we are unable to cover ​travel/stay expenses.

A:

We are looking for traditional content. ​However, any research based ​presentations within the traditional ​realm will be accepted. We are ​particularly interested in content ​related to Shastra, ancient living ​traditions, ritual practices, folk and ​regional dances of India. Sattriya, Chau,

Q:

Can I dance with live music ?

A:

Since this is a paid performance, we are ​unable to at the moment support a live ​orchestra for dance performances. We ​hope to make this a reality in the future. ​We expect artists to dance to good ​quality music. If the music does not ​meet our standards then we will not be ​able to showcase your performance.

Is Chitkala for solo artists or ​groups ?

Q:

A:

Chitkala is mostly for solo performers. ​We are limited by budget and will be ​unable to pay group performances. We ​are okay with a group production, but ​note that the remuneration that we can ​offer will be for one performer only. We ​hope that in the coming years we can ​accommodate large groups and pay ​accordingly. But for now, we are able to ​support solo performers only.

How long is each performing

slot ?

Q:

A:

Dance slots are 20-30mins. There are ​very few slots available, which makes ​the selection process very difficult. We ​encourage you to apply the next year if ​we are unable to get you onboard this ​year.

Is Chitkala a paid performing ​platform?

Q:

A:

Yes it is. However, we cannot promise a ​specific remuneration amount. This is ​largely based on ticket sales. We ​apologize for not committing to a ​specific $ amount. But please know ​that we respect your time, ​commitment and dedication as an ​artist. We feel extremely honored to be ​able to work with highly talented ​artists and promise a remuneration.

Is Chitkala a platform for only ​professional artists?

Q:

A:

Yes, Chitkala supports only ​professional artists, including early and ​mid-career artists. We also support ​research scholars who would like to ​showcase their findings/work.

What dance forms is Chitkala ​for?

Q:

A:

Chitkala, is a festival that aims to ​promote traditional Indian dance and ​music of all kinds. We are always on the ​lookout for artists whose art is rooted in ​tradition or Shastra- be it Manipuri, Chau, ​Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam etc.

Are there any fees to apply for ​the festival ?

Q:

A:

No, there are no fees to apply for the ​festival.

Q:

Is there audience interaction ?

A:

Chitkala, is a festival that aims to ​promote traditional Indian dance and ​music of all kinds. We are always on the ​lookout for artists whose art is rooted in ​tradition or Shastra- be it Manipuri, Chau, ​Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam etc.