ARTISTS

Guru Suba Parmar, Artistic Director of Shubanjali, is a highly sought after dancer, teacher and choreographer in NJ. She is the direct disciple of Kalaimamani Guru Indra Rajan and Pandanallur Srinivasa Pillai, respected doyens of the Pandanallur tradition.  Guru Suba is recognized as a pioneer in the arts community and her original artistic creations like ‘Santa N’ Shiva,’ ‘Splash the Wonder,’ ‘Chauladevi,’ ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ‘Lured by the Myths’, ‘Oneness’, ‘Tribute to the Legends’, ‘TattvaTapas Tejas”, “TATHASTU” among many others have received rave reviews from critics and connoisseurs. She is the recipient of many prestigious awards including the US Presidential Scholar’s “Most Influential Teacher Award”, the Balasaraswati Award of Excellence from Mauthamizh Peravai,  the “New Jersey Naatya Kalanidhi” and the most recent “Lifetime Achievement Award” from Spandana, NJ. Her brainchild Shubanjali is celebrating its 27th year.

Guru Swamimalai K. Suresh, Director of Samarpana Academy of Fine Arts, Chennai & Co-Artistic Director, Shubanjali, NJ, hails from a traditional family of nattuvanars and musicians. His father and guru Pandanallur P.V. Kalidas is a renowned Nagaswara vidwan, of the Pandanallur lineage. His great grand father Pandanallur Guruswamy Pillai was an Ashtavadani. Guru Suresh is the fifth generation artist from his family. He is the grand nephew and disciple of veteran Guru Swamimalai S.K. Rajarathnam under whom he mastered bharatanatyam, vocal and nattuvangam. He is also a senior disciple of violin maestro Shri. Lalgudi G. Jayaraman. Guru Suresh is an accomplished dancer, singer, choreographer and nattuvanar and is the recipient of several awards, including Kanchi Kamakotipeetam Astana Vidwan Title from Kanchi Shankaracharyar, Ustad Bismillah Khan YUVA PURASKAR from Sangeet Natak Academy, Natya Sangeetha Kala Bharathi from Bharat Kalachar, Chennai and the most recent “Service Award” from Spandana, NJ.  

Pozhakkudi G. R. Praveen is a disciple of his grandfather Kalaimamani Sri Pozhakudi P. V. GANESHA IYYER. He has been singing classical music for the past 15 years. Praveen has participated in many festivals of music and dance including Delhi Tamil Sangam, Bombay NCPA, Bharath Kalachar, Mylapore fine arts. Has also has participated in all the major dance festivals of India and Abroad. He has been awarded Isai Kalaimani From Coimbatore Government Music college and Awarded Nadha Gaana Kalaimani and also Mayura Gaana Kalaimani from Mayura Natiyanjali.

Mridangam artiste Mayavaram T. Vishwanathan is one of the most sought-after percussionists amongst dancers. He has been widely appreciated for his flawless support in music and dance concerts. After graduating from the Tamilnadu Music College in 1990, Vishwanathan has been receiving advanced training from the world-renowned Mridangam maestro Guruvayur sri. Dorai. He has performed with several leading musicians and dancers of today. He has extensively toured the USA and Europe and conducted workshops in Europe. Viswanathan has also collaborated with top-ranking jazz artists in France.

Vasanth is a renowned Classical Carnatic Flautist. He has won National and State level Gold Medals in the competitions held by both Central and State Governments. He has accompanied stalwarts like O.S. Thiyagarajan and renounced dancers and has traveled many times to the USA. Since 2006, Vasanth is an Assistant Professor (Flute) in the Department of Music of Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu.  He has dedicated his life to this art and has contributed his services as an accompanist in Classical music programs.

Vishal Sowmyan is a junior in Wisshickon High school, PA. He Has been learning Violin for the past nine years and is currently under the tutelage of Padmasri Sangeetha kalanidhi Guru A. Kanyakumari Garu. He has won several prizes in carnatic music competitions and regularly performs concerts in Tristate area and other centers including the most prestigious Cleveland Aradhana. He is the recipient of the junior musician of the year award for winning the advanced category instituted by the CMANA NJ. Vishal has played in famous sabhas in India during the DEcember music festivities, that includes Naradha gana sabha and Vani mahal. He regularly accompanies visiting artists from India.