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(Left) Andal was an eighth century Tamil poet and great devotee of the Hindu God Vishnu. She considered Vishnu to be her husband and composed a number of exquisite songs on him which are still sung today.

(Right) Carnatic vocalist and film playback singer Dr. Nithyasree Mahadevan hails from a family of celebrated musicians such as Sangita Kalanidhis D. K. Pattammal, D. K. Jayaraman and Palghat Mani Iyer. Winner of numerous awards, she is known for her adherence to tradition and resonant tenor of her voice.

(Left) Meerabhai was a 16th century woman composer and ardent devotee of Lord Krishna. Though married to Prince Bhojraj of the Royal house of Mewar, Meera had no interest in family life and became a wandering saint mingling with the devotees everywhere.

(Right) Pandit Jasraj (1930 – 2020) was a legendary Hindustani vocalist belonging to the Mewati Gharana. He was born in Haryana state, north India and made New Jersey his final home where he taught for several years. He was decorated with India’s highest civilian honor, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2000.

(Top Left) Reena Esmail (born 1983) is an Indian American female composer, who weaves together the traditions of Hindustani and Western classical music. Her work “Malhaar: A Requiem for Water” was premiered by the Los Angeles Master Chorale in 2023.

(Top Right) Mumbai native Saili Oak is a disciple of eminent Hindustani vocalist Dr. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande. Saili has won numerous awards.

(Bottom) Soprano Lucy Fitz Gibbon is a graduate of and current Faculty at the Bard College Conservatory. She has performed with orchestras all over the world to great acclaim.

(Left) Bangalore Nagarathnamma (1878 – 1952) was a popular Carnatic singer, composer and activist for the rights of Devadasi women. She was instrumental in renovating the tomb and building a shrine in Tiruvaiyaru for the great composer Tyagaraja.

(Right) Sangita Kalanidhi Palghat K V Narayanaswamy, affectionately known as KVN (1923-2002) was a disciple of Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, a past musical giant who is considered to have invented the modern format of Carnatic concert singing. KVN was a much honored internationally known concert performer and teacher.