Mostly patronised in India’s northern states, Hindustani (North Indian) vocal music is one of the popular categories of Indian classical music and in recent years it has drawn international audiences around the world. The best-known and most popular Hindustani vocal form, known as “Khayal” (Persian word meaning “imagination”) is a heavily ornamented and partly improvised song-style which has also given rise to many popular light-classical genres such Thumri and Ghazal.

A fellow of Trinity College, Chandrima Mishra trained with Ustad Munawar Ali Khan, one of the most sought-after teachers of the Patiala Gharana and Vidushi Sanjukta Ghosh.

A career highlight for her was working with the world-famous late Pandit Ravi Shankar on a project involving Indian as well as Western musicians at Dartington Hall, Devon, in 2003.

Belonging to the North Indian classical tradition, the sitar is South Asia’s most famous plucked string instrument on the world stage. It was the first one to be widely heard and recognised in the West through the appearance of late Pandit Ravi Shankar way back in the 1960s.

On these intensive courses, The Bhavan’s resident teacher Sanjay Guha will develop your skills of improvisation and introduce you to some rare ragas. 

A Fellow of Trinity College, London, Sanjay Guha belongs to the Maihar-Senia Gharana renowned for its systematic unfoldment of a raga as well as a strict adherence to tunefulness.

Sanjay received training from Sarod maestro Radhika Mohan Maitra and received special guidance from Pandit Ravi Shankar and Deepak Choudhury.

The Tabla is North India’s most popular percussion instrument for devotional as well as classical music, and even popular and folk music.

A Fellow of Trinity College London, Pt Rajkumar Mishra comes from a long line of illustrious Indian classical musicians and Kathak dancers of the famous Jaipur Gharana. He represents their seventh generation.

He has toured extensively in India as well as internationally and provided accompaniment for such illustrious artists as the classical vocalist Rashid Khan and the duo Rajan and Sajan Mishra. 

A Fellow of Trinity College, London, Balu Raguraman has performed extensively around the world, including concerts in the Western classical, jazz and African music traditions. Balu has worked with some of the greatest maestros of our time including Dr. Balamurali Krishna, Dr. N Ramani, and Umayalpuram Shivaraman. He is also involved in The Bhavan’s special music series “Bhinna Abhinna”, a collaborative project featuring musicians from different genres and styles.

A multi-talented performer and teacher, M. Balachandar has accompanied some of the greatest Indian classical musicians including sitar legend late Pandit Ravi Shankar and the famous Dr. Balamurali Krishna.

Several of his former students have gone on to become successful professional artists including Pirashanna Thevarajah who has toured with sitar player Anoushka Shankar.

A multi-talented performer and teacher, M. Balachandar has accompanied some of the greatest Indian classical musicians including sitar legend late Pandit Ravi Shankar and the famous Dr. Balamurali Krishna.

Several of his former students have gone on to become successful professional artists including Pirashanna Thevarajah who has toured with sitar player Anoushka Shankar.

Bharatanatyam may be the oldest classical dance tradition of India, with a rich history dating back almost 2000 years. It initiated in the Hindu temples of Tamil Nadu and eventually flourished in South India. 

In a career spanning more than 30 years, Guru Prakash Yadagudde has played a key role in the field of Bharatanatyam in the UK and taught over 500 dance students, some professionals in their own right today, including Nina Rajrani MBE, Subathra Subramanium, and Mayuri Boonham.

As a choreographer, his productions communicate successfully and effectively with a diverse range of audiences.

Mon:  7:15pm - 8:45pm
Tues: 7:15pm - 8:45pm
Wed: 7:15pm - 8:45pm
Thur: 7:15pm - 8:45pm

Sat: 09:30 - 11:00

Sun: 09:30 - 11:00

Dhiya Arora and Amun Bhachu are a Kathak teaching duo who trained as students at The Bhavan under Guru Shri Abhay Shankar Mishra. Dedicated to the Guru Shishya Parampara (Teacher – Discipline Tradition), they started teaching at The Bhavan from September 2017 under his continued guidance. Dhiya Arora presented her Kathak Rang Manch Pravesh in April 2014 and Amun Bhachu in June 2018.

Having performed in various Kathak productions in the UK and India including prestigious venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and House of Commons. They both bring over 10 years combined experience as performers and teachers. They aim to ignite strength, self-discipline, knowledge, passion, personal growth and emotional expression through the classical methods of Kathak practice.

Sajali Roy’s career began as an artiste for All India Radio Kolkata and has directed, performed and been a judge in music shows and competitions in India, Bangladesh, East & West Africa and in the UK, including Southbank Centre, Nazrul Centre and for national television on Doordarshan in India. Her gurus include the late Dr. Jamini Nath Ganguly, late Dr. Biman Mukhopadhay, late Maya Se, Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty and Jharna Banerjee. A qualified Sangeet Prabhakar (teacher), she teaches Rabindrasangeet and other Bengali song-forms such as Nazrul Geeti, Dwijendra Geeti, Atul Prasadi, Rajnikanth and Raag Pradhan to students of all ages. 

Katrina Rute is a versatile dancer trained in several Indian classical dance styles, with a Master’s degree testifying to a solid theoretical base in all aspects of Indian dance. Anette Pooja, Swapnokalpa Dasgupta, and Urbi Basu have been her Odissi gurus. Rute has been teaching dance for more than 15 years, giving regular classes and workshops for different age groups, as well as performing nationally and internationally for numerous cultural events and TV shows, including venues such as British Museum, Southbank Centre, The House of Commons and House of Lords.  

This is an introduction to spoken Hindi and is suitable for complete beginners. You will learn basic vocabulary and simple grammar through the spoken word. No previous knowledge of the language or the Hindi script is required. 

Spoken Hindi will run on ZOOM for TWO WEEKS between 19th July and 1st August according to the following timetable:

Tues: 18:00 – 19:15

Thurs: 18:00 – 19:15

Sat: 11:00 – 12:15

Sun: 11:00 – 12:15

The Bhavan’s resident teacher Indu Barot will be leading this course.

** This class has been cancelled **

This introduction to spoken Sanskrit is suitable for complete beginners. You do not need to be able to read the script or speak any Sanskrit. You will cover basic vocabulary and basic grammatical structures all via the spoken word.