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Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Kadri Gopalnath (1949 - 2019) was born in Bantwal in the Dakshin Kannada region to Tulu speaking parents. He trained under the exponent of Hindustani and Carnatic music Sangita Kalanidhi Sri T V Gopalakrishnan among other gurus. Gopalnath was celebrated for undertaking and succeeding in the enormous challenge of adapting the alto Saxophone to Gamaka based Carnatic music. A musician of great virtuosity, Gopalnath performed in numerous venues across the world to great acclaim.

Pandit Pannalal Ghosh (1911 - 1960) born in Barisal, Bangladesh, is credited with popularizing Bansuri (the Indian name for bamboo flute) as a concert instrument. He learnt from Ustad Khushi Mohammed Khan, Pt. Girija Shankar Chakraborty and finally under the legendary Ustad Allaudin Khan.

Sangita Kalanidhi A K C Natarajan (1931 - ) was born in Tiruchirapalli into a family Nagaswaram and Clarinet artists. He learnt clarinet from his father, nagaswaram from Iluppur Natesa Pillai and vocal music from the celebrated Alathur Venkatesa Iyer. Natarajan has been a clarinet player since 1952, working hard to adapt the instrument to play raga alapanas and swara renditions by combining Nagaswaram and Vocal traditions. He has performed widely in India and abroad.

Ustad Bismillah Khan (1916 -2006) was a celebrated Hindustani musician and was trained in music at a young age by his father who was a Shehnai player in the royal court of Dumraon. When Bismillah Khan was six years old, he went to Varanasi where he underwent further training under his uncle, Ali Baksh 'Vilayatu'. He is credited with popularizing Shehnai on the Hindustani music stage and was awarded India's highest civilian honor, Bharat Ratna in 2001.

Sangita Kalanidhis Sikkil Sisters, Kunjumani (1927 - 2010), and Neela (1938 – 2023) were the first ever female duo Carnatic flautists. Connected to the legendary “Flute Mali” on their mothers’ side, they learnt music from Azhiyur Narayanaswami Iyer. They were top notch performers known for their traditional style. They received the Sangeet Nataka Akademi, Kalaimamani and Padmashri awards.

Milind Kulkarni is a soloist, composer and educator who plays Hindustani music on the Harmonium. He learnt under the gurus Vasantrao Gurav, Anna Diwan, and Pramod Marathe. He also received accompaniment instruction from vocalist Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar and Tabla maestro Pandit Suresh Talwalkar. Kulkarni has performed with stalwart musicians in India and abroad

Karukurichi B Arunachalam (1921 - 1964), was born in Karukurichi, a hamlet in southern Tamil Nadu. He learnt to play Nagaswaram from his father and later from other gurus. He also learnt vocal music from Kalakkad Subbiah Bhagavathar. He went on to become the preeminent disciple of the king of nagaswaram players “Todi” Rajaratnam Pillai. He became a much sought after artist but died suddenly at the age of 43.

Karukurichi B Arunachalam (1921 - 1964), was born in Karukurichi, a hamlet in southern Tamil Nadu. He learnt to play Nagaswaram from his father and later from other gurus. He also learnt vocal music from Kalakkad Subbiah Bhagavathar. He went on to become the preeminent disciple of the king of nagaswaram players “Todi” Rajaratnam Pillai. He became a much sought after artist but died suddenly at the age of 43.