Summary

In this engaging conversation, Savitha Sri Ram, a renowned Carnatic musician and Abhang artist, shares her musical journey from Bombay to Chennai, her experiences with Abhang and Nama Sankirtanam, and the spiritual significance of Pandharpur. She offers valuable advice for the younger generation pursuing music, emphasizing the importance of a classical foundation and consistent practice. The discussion culminates in a heartfelt performance of a special Abhang, reflecting her deep connection to the genre and its roots.

Art Therapy Research Project

Meet Janhvi Sairam, a freshman at UT Dallas with a heart full of rhythm, melody, and meaning. A trained Bharatanatyam dancer in the Pandanallur style under Dr. Sarita Venkataraman, Janhvi’s journey into classical arts began when she was barely old enough to walk—insisting she learn to dance before most teachers would even consider it. That passion still fuels her today.

But Janhvi is more than just a dancer. She is also a classically trained Carnatic vocalist, an accomplished visual artist, and a budding researcher in music and art therapy. Her Nrithyarpanam performance stood out not only for its technical brilliance but for the emotional storytelling—especially her depiction of Sita’s swayamvara through the eyes of a sakhi, a fresh perspective that moved the audience.

Equally compelling is her dedication to art as a healing force. Janhvi conducted a research project in high school where she interviewed music therapists and created a handbook that introduces the concepts and templates for applying art and music therapy in healthcare settings. Her drive to make a difference shines through every note, step, and sketch.

Beyond the stage and studio, Janhvi explores the world of social media marketing and digital design, managing promotions for clubs and artistic projects. Her future aspirations blend creativity with compassion—using art not just as expression, but as empowerment.

In this deeply enriching episode of Passion Fruit, Lavanya welcomes Krishnaveni Putrevu, founder of Utkala Academy and passionate Odissi exponent. Discover how Krishnaveni transformed her love for Odissi into a movement in the Dallas arts scene while evolving into a life coach who integrates healing practices like EFT and NLP with classical dance. She also previews her upcoming production on Gautam Buddha, discusses her unique puppetry-inspired choreography, and reflects on 20+ years of empowering students artistically and emotionally.

🎧 Tune in for an inspiring conversation on the intersections of culture, community, healing, and art.

In a soulful episode of Passion Fruit, host Lavanya sits down with three exceptional artists visiting Dallas: Dr. Vijay Gopal (flute), Vidwan Trichy Harikumar (mridangam), and Trichy Krishnaswamy (ghatam). The trio, here for a concert presented by Shubham Foundation, reflects on their vibrant musical journey across the United States.

For Dr. Vijay Gopal, this Dallas performance marks a new milestone, while his co-artists bring decades of experience to the stage—especially Harikumar Sir, recently retired from All India Radio after 35 years of service. Their camaraderie, rooted in years of shared performances, shines throughout the conversation.

Listeners are treated to behind-the-scenes glimpses of their U.S. tour, memories from scenic road trips, and candid thoughts about balancing tradition with modern challenges like AI and shifting generational attitudes toward the arts. With humor, humility, and heartfelt anecdotes, the conversation explores not just performance, but mentorship, legacy, and the deeply human element of music.

The episode is a must-listen for rasikas, students, and anyone passionate about the endurance and evolution of Carnatic music.

Ten years ago, a young girl with two little ponytails, dressed in a green pattu pavadai, captivated the hearts of millions on YouTube with her serene rendering of Hanuman Chalisa. Today, that same girl—Soorya Gayatri—continues to enchant audiences across the globe with her divine voice, grace, and grounded presence.

In a special episode of Passion Fruit, hosted by Lavanya Inguva, Soorya opened up about her journey from a peaceful village in Kerala to international stages, including a heartfelt concert tour in the U.S. Her deep musical roots, guided first by her mridangist father and later by mentors like Kuldeep M. Pai and Anandi teacher, are evident in every note she sings.

Whether she’s performing classical Carnatic kirtanas, soulful bhajans, or engaging young audiences in sing-alongs, Soorya Gayatri is not just a singer—she is a performer, an ambassador of tradition, and a beacon of inspiration for the next generation.

What sets her apart isn’t just her technical brilliance, but her emotional connection with the music and her listeners. From handwritten lyrics in a notebook to composing family-created songs during the pandemic, Soorya is as authentic as she is talented. Her love for simplicity, rural life, and books over screens reflects a rare humility in a digital age.

Beyond the stage, Soorya is a student of public administration and enjoys peaceful village life, drawing, and her mother’s cooking. Her fans—especially children—see in her not just a performer but a role model who makes Indian classical music feel approachable, soulful, and relevant.

As her U.S. tour concludes, Soorya Gayatri leaves behind more than melodies—she leaves memories, inspiration, and a message: you can stay rooted and still soar.

Guest: Aditi Ravi Battiprolu

Teacher: Ms Young Park ( FISD Harp Director )

Host: Ganesh Subraminian

Video: Saravana Janardhan

Photo: Dheeraj Pelluru

Productions: Saravana Creations

Namaste and welcome to another enriching episode of Passion Fruit! This week, we sit down with Aditi, a young and extraordinarily talented harpist from the Greater Dallas area, currently in 10th grade. Aditi brings a rare and refreshing perspective on an instrument that is often underrepresented in contemporary music spaces—the harp.

Born into a musically inclined family with a dancer mother and a mandolinist father, Aditi’s early exposure to music was inevitable. What began as playful tinkering on a keyboard with Indian film tunes blossomed into a passion for melody, eventually leading her to the harp—thanks, in part, to a short line at an instrument selection night.

Over five years, Aditi has developed a deep bond with the harp, learning not just the technique, but the emotion, coordination, and discipline the instrument demands. She shares her early frustrations with glissandos, the physical challenges of developing calluses, and the mental dexterity required to coordinate hand and foot for pitch control—a feature unique to the harp.

Aditi also opens up about the limited spotlight the harp gets in orchestral and concerto compositions, offering insights into how familiarity and accessibility have shaped its inclusion (or exclusion) in mainstream ensembles. Despite this, her excitement is palpable as she describes performing at recitals with 50 harps, collaborating with legends like Mandolin U. Rajesh and Selvaganesh, and even playing Bollywood melodies on an instrument traditionally reserved for classical western compositions.

This episode also takes a poignant turn when Aditi discusses the current threat to harp programs in her school district, underscoring the financial and logistical challenges surrounding the instrument. But she remains hopeful and proactive—petitioning, performing, and spreading awareness so that others can fall in love with the harp just as she did.

Whether you’re a music enthusiast, a student of the arts, or just curious about instruments off the beaten path, Aditi’s story will strike a chord. Tune in to hear how passion, perseverance, and a little serendipity can come together to create something truly beautiful.

Huge thanks to Ms Young Park ( FISD Harp Director ) known for her inimitable teaching style, making all her students winners at all major events.

Guest: Thanmayee Krishnamurthy
Host: Ganesh SubraminianVideo: Saravana JanardhanPhoto: Dheeraj PelluruProductions: Saravana Creations

Music is more than just sound; it is culture, history, and emotion interwoven into an intricate tapestry of artistic expression. In a recent episode of Passion Fruit, we had the pleasure of delving into this multidimensional world of music with Tanmay Krishnamurthy, a scholar, performer, and teacher of Indian classical music based in Dallas.

The Journey into Ethnomusicology

Tanmayji’s path to music research began with a deep-rooted passion for classical Indian music, nurtured by her family and honed by her guru, Vidwan T.M. Krishna. However, her recent foray into ethnomusicology at the University of North Texas has given her understanding of music an expansive new lens. Ethnomusicology, She explains, is not just about music theory but an exploration of music as culture—how it evolves, who creates it, and why it is created. This perspective, inspired by her guru’s holistic approach to music, now fuels her research into South Indian Carnatic music’s historical and sociological dimensions, particularly focusing on the period between the Vijayanagara Empire and the Trinity composers.

A Musical Upbringing and Cultural Influences

Born in Karnataka and raised in a family deeply immersed in music, Tanmayji’s early years were filled with melodic influences. While her hometown of Holalkere did not have a vibrant Carnatic music scene, her family ensured that she was surrounded by music through home learning, temple festivals featuring Nadaswaram, and annual workshops conducted by her maternal relatives. Competitions and exposure to legendary musicians further cemented her dedication to the art.

Comparing her upbringing to the experiences of students learning Carnatic music outside India, she acknowledges the concerted effort made by parents in the diaspora to keep cultural traditions alive. However, she also notes the differences in immersion, as students in India grow up surrounded by classical music’s nuances in everyday life, whereas students abroad often juggle multiple cultural influences simultaneously.

The Challenges of Teaching in the Digital Age

As a teacher, Tanmayji has observed the impact of technology on learning Carnatic music. While social media and online resources provide accessibility, they also pose challenges. Many students come to class with preconceived notions from online sources, making it difficult to correct stylistic nuances that are crucial to maintaining the authenticity of a raga. She emphasizes the importance of critical listening and learning directly from a guru to truly internalize the essence of Carnatic music.

The Evolution of Performance

Performance, Tanmayji believes, is an ever-evolving experience shaped by the musician’s understanding of music. Drawing from her guru’s philosophy, she stresses the need to move beyond the applause-driven approach and instead focus on the deeper expression of a raga’s emotion. While improvisation and creative expression are key, she insists that musicians must first master the structure before experimenting. For her, concerts are an opportunity to connect with the audience while staying true to the integrity of the music.

Research as the Next Frontier

With performance and teaching firmly established in her musical identity, Tanmayji’s next chapter is focused on research. As he embarks on her PhD, her primary goal is to explore Carnatic music’s historical and sociological aspects through archival studies. She is particularly intrigued by the transition between the Vijayanagara period and the Trinity composers, a phase that remains understudied in musicology. Through this, she hopes to bridge gaps in understanding and contribute to a broader discourse on the evolution of Carnatic music.

Hello, everyone! Welcome back to Passion Fruit, where we dive into exciting new topics and meet inspiring individuals. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Harshini, a student from Heritage High School, who has piqued our interest with her involvement in the Future Farmers of America (FFA).

Introducing Harshini and the FFA

Lavanya, representing Passion Fruit, kicks off the conversation by introducing Harshini and expressing her excitement about learning more about FFA, which stands for Future Farmers of America. Harshini explains that while the name might suggest it’s just about farming, FFA represents the whole agriculture industry, including animals, plants, and technology.

Exploring FFA Events and Activities

Harshini describes various FFA events such as Leadership Development Events (LDEs) and Career Development Events (CDEs), which cover a wide range of agricultural topics. From quizzes on agriculture facts to creed speaking and even animal evaluation, FFA provides students with hands-on learning experiences. Harshini shares her personal journey of evaluating chickens and how it opened her eyes to the meticulous grading systems in agriculture, such as those used in grocery stores.

Harshini’s Passion for Animals and Agriculture

Harshini’s enthusiasm for animals, particularly her interest in the veterinary field, is evident as she talks about her experiences in FFA. She shares fascinating insights about using common medications on animals and how her love for animals drives her to learn more about their similarities and differences from humans. Her passion extends to a more personal level, as she discusses her bond with her pig, Arthur, and the joys and challenges of raising and caring for him.

Understanding the Importance of FFA

Throughout the interview, Harshini emphasizes the significance of FFA in educating young people about agriculture. She believes that supporting FFA is crucial for understanding the agricultural industry and the importance of farmers in our daily lives. Harshini points out that many aspects of agriculture, such as technology and organic farming, are integral to FFA’s teachings, which she believes can inspire future generations to pursue careers in agriculture.

The Community and Support in FFA

One of the highlights of Harshini’s FFA experience is the strong sense of community. She shares how fellow members and their families come together to support each other, making FFA more than just an educational program. Harshini describes the camaraderie during events and the friendships formed through shared interests and challenges.

Final Thoughts on FFA and Agriculture

As we wrap up the conversation, Harshini reflects on the valuable lessons she has learned through FFA. Her journey has not only equipped her with practical skills but has also deepened her appreciation for agriculture and the opportunities it offers. She encourages others to explore FFA and discover the various pathways it can provide, whether in animal science, horticulture, or broader agricultural fields.

Thank you, Harshini, for sharing your experiences and insights with us. Your story is an inspiring reminder of the diverse opportunities within agriculture and the impact young people can have on shaping the future of this vital industry. Until next time, keep exploring and learning!

Welcome to Passion Fruit, where stories of passion and perseverance come to light. In this episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Janani Sridhar, a Bharatanatyam dancer and high school junior. Janani shared her journey of mastering Bharatanatyam, balancing academics, and staying connected to her cultural roots while growing up in the United States.

Janani’s love for Bharatanatyam began as a child, initially encouraged by her mother. What started as a gentle push from her parents evolved into a deep passion. Practicing mudras at a young age, inspired by Indian movies and songs, Janani found a profound connection to her roots through dance.

She completed her Arangetram—the Bharatanatyam debut performance—this past summer, despite challenges like a knee injury and the rigors of virtual training after moving from New Jersey to Dallas. Through it all, Janani developed discipline, time management, and an appreciation for her heritage.

Beyond her Arangetram, Janani is channeling her skills into teaching younger students in her community. She envisions passing on the moral, ethical, and cultural lessons embedded in Bharatanatyam. She also connects her art with her academic pursuits, aspiring to become a military emergency physician.

Janani’s story inspires us to hold onto our passions, even amidst challenges, and to continue learning and growing while passing our knowledge on to others.