Sohamasmi Musicians
Vaishnavi Srinivasan
Lead Vocal Artist
Vaishnavi, a musician in the South Indian classical tradition, is a senior disciple of Smt Shobha Sekhar, OAM (Artistic Director, Kalakruthi School of Music). She has been learning music since she was 5, beginning under the tutelage of Sri S.Sivasubramaniam Pillai in Malaysia, where she grew up. She began her advanced training in music under the guidance of Smt Shobha Sekhar after moving to Melbourne to pursue further education.
She has had the privilege of learning under the guidance of senior artists Smt Bhushany Kalyanaraman and the late Sri B. Seetharama Sharma of Chennai, India, to enhance exposure and expand her musical repertoire and continues to gain special guidance from Smt Bhushany Kalynaraman. She has been teaching music for the last 15 years, training students of a wide range of ages, voices, and musical understanding, and is working towards a Diploma in Advanced Music.
Vaishnavi is also a student of Odissi, she has been training in this artform under Smt Monica Singh Sangwan since 2014. She has worked with the Sohamasmi Centre for Performing Arts, singing for several productions. Vaishnavi continues to expand her artistic repertoire by learning Odissi Music under Sri Achyuta Maharana, and Mardala under Sri Budhanath Swain to ensure her approach and understanding of music and dance is holistic.
Senthuran Jogaratnam
Percussionist
With over 20 years of experience in Indian classical percussion, Senthuran is recognised as a leading Mridangam and Tabla artist. He began his Mridangam training under Sri Balasri Rasiah, before undertaking advanced training from Mridangam maestros Sri T.R Sundaresean and Sri Patri Satish Kumar. To gain a multifaceted understanding of Indian percussion, Senthuran also commenced Tabla training under Ashok Chavali Ji.
Beyond Mridangam and Tabla, Senthuran proficiently applies his rhythmic skills to instruments like the Morsing and Mardala, which he frequently incorporates into his performances.
Senthuran is renowned for his sense of application, imaginative rhythmic patterns, flawless techniques, such as the gumki technique, and a unique style which showcases the beauty of applying elements of various percussion instruments in his performances. Senthuran has accompanied countless music and dance performances for various styles such as Carnatic, Hindustani, Bharatha Natyam, Kathak, Odissi, Jazz and World Fusion. Aside from this, Senthuran also regularly performs tabla for professional Indian playback concerts including Super Singers on their Australian tours.
Senthuran now uses his years of learning and experience to train the next generation of Mridangam and Tabla performers at Rhythm Riders Academy, in an inclusive, creative and encouraging environment.
Anita Das
Violinist
Anita Das is a senior student of the Raaga Sudha School of Carnatic Music in Melbourne where she has been learning violin and vocal music under the tutelage of the renowned musician and guru, Sri Murali Kumar. Over the past several years, Anita has performed in numerous music and dance concerts across Australia and New Zealand in both a solo and accompaniment capacity.
Anita performed a full length arangetram in 2012, in a duet performance with her sister, Roopa. Anita has also taught a number of junior violin students of the Raaga Sudha school, and looks forward to continuing the life-long process of learning, performing and teaching music under the guidance of her Guru.
Anita is also a lawyer working in the corporate misconduct and corporate crime space, with a particular focus on investigating and litigating that conduct. She completed her Masters in Law at Columbia University in New York.
Dr. Lakshmanan Madhu
Vainika
Dr. Lakshmanan Madhu is a classical musician with over 15 years of training in various Indian Classical styles. Madhu started his musical training in Hindustani vocal under Smt. Deepti Rudra, an AIR artist. He then learnt Saraswati Veena in the Carnatic style under Shri V. G. Subramanian based on Thanjavur Bani. He has continued to receive advanced training to develop Gayaki style in this instrument from Shri G. R. S Murthy, a disciple of Kalaimamani (Late) Shri G. N. Dhandapani Iyer.
More recently, he is learning vocal from Shri Achyuta Maharana to hone his skills in the Odissi style. Madhu has successfully performed veena recitals for the Veena Mahotsavam festival, coordinated by Kalakendra, Chennai for the past few years.
Madhu has over two decades of experience from public, academic and private sectors in planning and design related fields. Madhu currently works as a senior strategic planner at the City of Darebin. He completed his doctorate from The University of Melbourne studying green urbanism and climate relevant lifestyles and routinely teaches at the Melbourne School of Design.
