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Padma Vibhushan Dr. N. Rajam (born 1938) hails from a family of musicians that includes Carnatic violinist Sangita Kalanidhi T. N. Krishnan and initially trained under the Carnatic music stalwart Musiri Subramanya Iyer. She later learned raga development from the vocalist Omkarnath Thakur and branched into Hindustani violin playing. She has performed widely across the world and has taught at music at the Benares Hindu University for over four decades.

Sangita Kalanidhi Madurai G N Balasubramaniam (1910 – 1965) was a Carnatic music star and singing film star as well. Initially trained by his father, GNB was also college educated before taking up music as a career. He was known for his boundless creativity and vast repertoire. Developing the unique GNB “bani” of singing, he went to train other future stars of Carnatic music such as Sangita Kalanidhi Dr. MLV, a member of the trinity of female Carnatic vocalist superstars.

Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar (1929 – 1990) was among the most highly regarded Rudra Veena players in the instrument’s illustrious history, widely credited with being responsible for its revival as a solo concert instrument. He was a member of the 19th generation of Dagar family, among the oldest and most highly regarded gharanas of Dhrupad, an ancient school of practice and thought within the Hindustani tradition of Indian Classical music.

Navatman Music Collective (NMC) is a New York City based music choir that brings together Carnatic classical music and diverse, contemporary influences. This collective has performed in several venues and music festivals in New York. Navatman released its album An Untimely Joy in the Fall of 2016.

The brothers Ustad Nazakat Ali Khan (1932-1983) and Ustad Salamat Ali Khan (1934-2001) were born in the Shyam Chaurasi village in Hoshiarpur district in pre partition Punjab. Their father Vilayat Ali Khan and uncle Ahmed Ali Khan were famous vocalists and used to sing together. Duet performances (Jugal Bandi) have long been a tradition of this family. Nazakat-Salamat, as they were popularly known, settled in Lahore, Pakistan after the Partition of 1947. (bio courtesy: “Musicians of India” by Amala Dasasarma)

Akkarai sisters, S. Subhalakshmi (born 1984) and S. Sornalatha (born 1987) are popular duo and solo violinists, accompanists and vocalists. They had their initial training under their father Akkarai S Swamynathan and later on under the celebrated Guru, P S Narayanaswamy. Subhalakshmi has performed in partnership with vocalist T M Krishna over more than a decade in India and abroad. Sornalatha is a sought-after violin accompanist as well, having already performed with many top Carnatic vocalists.