The Orchestra

Smt. Mythili Kumar (Nattuvangam)

See biography here.

Smt. Asha Ramesh (Music Composition and Vocals)

Asha Ramesh is a renowned Carnatic Music Master Artist, an experienced singer for classical dance, and an accomplished Hindustani bhajan singer. She was trained in India under renowned teachers in India and has won awards throughout her musical career. Asha also earned the Bachelor and Master’s degrees in music from Madras University. Since 1993 she has composed the music for all of Abhinaya’s original concerts. She received the Vijayalakshmi Award for best vocalist from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha in 2010 and the title of Isai Arasi by Trinity Arts Festival of India, Chennai in 2013. Asha was a master artist in Alliance for California Traditional arts -ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program in 2000 and 2005.

Sri. N. Narayan (Mridangam and Kanjira)

N. Narayan comes from an illustrious family of musicians who, in addition to singing classical Carnatic music, are proficient in Bhajana Sampradaya - the renderings of devotional songs and hymns on festival days. Narayan had his training in mridangam under his father Sri. P.V. Natarajan and Sri. P.S. Parameswaran of Mumbai. He has accompanied several leading musicians and has won awards for his performances in India and in Bahrain. He is a much sought after mridangist for dance concerts. He has been playing consistently for all Abhinaya productions since 1990, contributing immensely to the company’s several successful productions. Additionally, Narayan is a gifted vocalist who also plays the harmonium.

Smt. Shanthi Narayan (Violin)

Shanthi Narayan had her initial training in violin under Sri. A. Anantharama Bhagavathar. She has accompanied several leading artists both in India and Bahrain. She has played for many dance productions and music concerts in the Bay Area. She has been playing consistently for all Abhinaya productions since 1990, contributing immensely to the company’s several successful productions.