Meet Our Team

Raajan began his journey in Carnatic music under the guidance of Viswakala Bharathi Sri Eelanallur S. Sathyalingam, a Kalakshetra graduate. He learned Thevaram recitation from Sri Balachandra Desikar and has won the national Thevaram competition three times in a row. Raajan also excelled in light music competitions and was a finalist in a talent search on national television in Singapore. He has accompanied Bharathanatyam performances and performed in the US and Canada. Recently, Raajan has focused on the deep traditions of the Thirumurai and conducts online classes and discussion groups to share this knowledge. He currently lives in Boston with his family.

Mahalakshmi comes from Thirumalai Vaiyavoor graamam. She lives in Seattle, WA, and teaches in the Bellevue School District. Thirumati Mahalakshmi teaches Tamizh stotrams and helps produce Bharatiya cultural events in the area. Her twin daughters are trained in carnatic music and Bharatanatyam and contribute to the community in different ways.

Abarna, from Chennai and now living in Delaware, USA, has been learning music since childhood and has taught a few students. She is currently studying krithis, thirupugazh, vel mayil virutham, aarayaneeyam, and sundarakaandam. Abarna teaches pieces like abirami andhadhi and thirupugazh while regularly learning and teaching new stotrams.

Hemalatha currently lives in Seattle, USA. She started learning Bharata Natyam and Carnatic music at the age of four under the tutelage of her mother and noted dancer, Anuradha Shiva. She has been training students in both Carnatic vocal music and Bharata Natyam across the globe for the past 25 years. In addition, she has been teaching shlokams to adults and children both independently and as part of multiple initiatives of the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham to preserve Hindu spiritual heritage by inculcating Sanatana Dharma values in the next generation.

Kalamalini hails fromNallamangudi graamam in Nannilam. She
currently lives in Sacramento, California and teaches Tamizh stotrams like Sivapuranam, Thiruppavai, Abhirami andathi, Sri Lalitha Navarathna Malai, and sanskrit slokas like Narayaniyam, Lalitha Sahasranamam, Adi Sankaracharya’s Stotrams to children and elders.

Lakshmi is the founder of Parivaadhini School of Music . She has conducted numerous workshops focused on Indian visual and performing arts, sharing her expertise and fostering a deeper appreciation for Indian classical music.Lakshmi Lakshmanan is a dedicated educator and passionate musician, currently working at Kindering. With over 15 years of experience teaching Carnatic music to children, Lakshmi has inspired countless young minds to embrace the beauty of this classical art form. Her musical journey began under the guidance of her mother and continued with the esteemed Mrs. Seetha Rajan. In addition to her professional commitments, Lakshmi is actively involved in volunteering for the Washington Periyava Satsangam(WAPS), where she has been contributing her time and efforts for more than a year.

Sumathy was a music teacher at Sri Sankara Vidyashramam , Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai for more than 35 years. She has trained several kids for inter school competitions and won many prizes. After retirement, she continues to teach children and adults. She has also tuned numerous stotrams like abhirami andadi , narayaneeyam and soundarya lahari.

Vibha is a 5th grader in Redmond,WA. She is fond of elephants and loves learning shlokams. She enjoys making presentations and flyers and feels blessed to use her cretive energy to learn and help with HSM activities. She hopes to always be of help to others.

Deepa is a software professional. She learns and teaches Samskritam through Samskrita Bharati in the Seattle region.

Meenakshi Iyer, a 11th grader at Redmond High School, is a passionate vocalist trained in Carnatic, Hindustani, Jazz, and Western Classical music. She is a two-time recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award and has won first place multiple times at the Regional Solo and Ensemble competitions. Meenakshi volunteers by teaching kids traditional Indian music and art and has organized numerous summer camps over the past three years to share her love for these cultural traditions.

Lakshmi hails from Tiruchirappalli,Tamil Nadu. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and three daughters. She enjoys organizing pooja events to celebrate Anusham, Aradhanai, and Sankara Jayanthi as a community. Their home is blessed with the padukas of the 68th, 69th, and 70th Acharyas of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. She loves to learn and teach shlokams such as Thiruppugazh, and Thiruvasagam, and volunteers actively at the local temple.

Sumathy is a software professional. She hails from Tiruvarur and grew up in Chennai. She currently lives in the Seattle region. She is involved in volunteering for various organizations. She enjoys listening to Carnatic music and devotional songs.

Srividhya is a banking professional residing in St.Louis,MO. She hails from Adayapalam and belongs to Sri Appayya Dheekshithar’s lineage. She organizes anusham satsagams and various poojais to celebrate aradhanai and jayanthi . She  volunteers for local temple activities and Sri Kanchi Matam activities. She loves to learn and teach stotrams and is currently teaches Narayaneeyam to sadakas.

Archana’s purvika graamam is Nagainallur in Tiruchirappalli. She is a health insurance professional in the Seattle area. She serves Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham through kainkaryams as ordained by Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal. Her focus is primarily the next generation through youth programs such as directing itihaasa natakams, shlokam classes, editor of a youth dharmika magazine, annadaanam, fundraisers for patasalas and hospitals associated with Sri Kanchi Matam, and other kainkaryams as instructed by Sri Bala Periyava.

Krithika is a passionate high school math teacher by profession who believes in the power of education to transform lives. She is committed to guide students in mathematical concepts and to share the wisdom of ancient traditions by teaching shlokas, Tamil language and culture. Krithika finds joy in supporting students and people beyond the classroom, fostering both intellectual and spiritual growth. She mentors young minds with her volunteering in the community, Krithika is dedicated to making a positive impact through education and service.

Minnesota Mahaperiyava Mandali organizes pujais and other kainaryams to preserve bhakti for the Kanchi guruparampara traditions. Several bhaktas teach shlokams for youth and adults.