B. Muthukumar

   B. Muthukumar is a third-generation musician and acclaimed flautist, deeply rooted in a rich musical lineage. Son of the renowned mridangist Adyar Balu, Muthukumar began his early training under Mayavaram Saraswathi Ammal and went on to study for over two decades with the legendary flute maestro Dr. N. Ramani. A dedicated performer, he was part of Dr. Ramani’s prestigious Five-Flute Ensemble and continues to shine as a soloist on Indian classical stages.

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   An A-Grade artist with All India Radio Chennai, Muthukumar has earned numerous accolades, including the Best Junior Flute Player at the Music Academy’s Spirit of Youth Festival (2000), Yuvakala Bharathi from Bharat Kalachar (2004), and Best Sub-Senior Flutist from the Indian Fine Arts Society (2006). More recently, he received Natya Sangeetha Kala Bharathi (2019) and Nadha Kala Vipanchee for his contributions to the promotion of Indian classical music.

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   Alongside his solo career, Muthukumar is a sought-after accompanist for classical dancers, performing internationally. He holds degrees in commerce and music (B.Com & M.Music) from the University of Chennai and continues to uphold his family’s musical legacy through performance and collaboration.

Hariprasad

   Kaniyal Hari Prasad is a distinguished Carnatic vocalist and music composer with a career spanning over four decades. Born in Mannarghat, Kerala—a region rich in musical heritage—he began his training at the age of six and later studied at Kalakshetra, one of India's premier fine arts institutions. Under the tutelage of several legendary gurus, including Sri D. Chellamayyanagar and Sri M. Balamuralikrishna, Hari Prasad honed his craft, eventually performing on prestigious platforms like All India Radio, Doordarshan, and international stages across the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

   He is renowned both for his solo concerts and for his extensive work as a vocalist for Bharatanatyam dance, having accompanied some of the most celebrated dancers and gurus of the field across all major banis (styles). He has also composed music for numerous acclaimed dance productions such as Krishna Leela Tharangini, Seethas Agni Pravesam, and Ramayana Bharatham. His work has been featured in Kalakshetra productions since 1988, and he continues to serve as a faculty member at the Kalakshetra College of Fine Arts.

   Hari Prasad has received numerous honors, including the Asthana Vidwan of Kanchi Mutt, the Best Vocalist for Dance Award from the Music Academy, and the Gandharva Nipuna Award from ABHAI. A respected artist, educator, and composer, he remains a vital contributor to the world of Indian classical music and dance.

N.K. Kesavan

N.K. Kesavan is one of the most respected and sought-after percussionists in the field of Indian classical dance. Renowned for his creative innovations and rhythmic mastery, he is proficient in multiple percussion instruments, including Mridangam, Kanjira, Chenda, and Madhalam. His exceptional skill with the Chenda, in particular, sets him apart as a versatile and dynamic artist.

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Kesavan has not only made his mark in the classical dance world—frequently composing percussion sequences tailored for dancers—but has also collaborated with legendary film music directors such as Ilayaraja and A.R. Rahman. He has accompanied many celebrated dancers, including Shobana, Madurai R. Muralidaran, Anita Ratnam, Rukmini Vijayaraj, Ratna Kumar (Houston), and Radica Giri.

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In recognition of his contributions, he has received several prestigious awards, including Vividhalaya Vaadya Shiromani from NDA and Bharatha Laya Nipuna from Bharatham Academy of Fine Arts. Kesavan continues to be a cornerstone in the world of rhythm for Indian classical dance.