About Us

Vanamala Center for Art and Culture (formerly known as Vanamala Art Foundation) is a unique organization whose aim is to propagate all forms of Indian Art and Culture. Tucked away in the southern end of Bangalore, Vanamala Center for Art and Culture offers various services such as classes in Karnatak music and yoga along with seminars on forms of art such as Theater, Dance, Visual arts, Temple architecture, philosophy amongst others. It also houses a library which can be utilized by students and enthusiasts of Indian art. Apart from the literary aspects, it has also produced documentaries, published books and audio cds under its banner. The Center aims to raise awareness across all forms of Indian art and has partnered with various personalities and organizations to achieve the same.

Vanamala Center for Art and Culture, founded by Dr. Meera Rajaram Pranesh traces its origin back to 1995. It initially started as a school for young aspirants to learn Karnatak Music. The school also provided a platform for the aspirants to showcase their singing talent by organizing annual events such as Composers’ Day, Aradhanas and musical events for Indian festivals. The school achieved recognition on a national level when it trained 20 students between the ages of 6 and 12 to participate in the All India Radio Choral Music Competition (1997). The students stood first in the District and State Levels and entered the National level earning a distinguished position in the competition. The students of the school have also participated in All India Radio programs such as Ruthu Vinyasa (a musical explaining the different seasons as per the India Calendar), Kannada Naadu Cheluvina Bidu (the picturesque places of Karnataka) and others.

Over the years, the School evolved into an organization that started promoting other forms of Indian art and culture. The foundation organized several workshops on various art forms at its premises in Bangalore. Some of these workshops include the Kamalamba Navavarana Kritis of Sri. Muthuswamy Dikshithar and Suladi of Haridasas by Prof. T. Sharada; Rare Jathi Swaras and Swara Jathis by Dr. Meera Rajaram Pranesh and forms of theatre by Sri. Venkatesh. In addition to art-specific workshops, the organization has also conducted events for general public such as ‘Rasa Ranjane – evening of dance, drama, and music’; many events at Indian Institute of World Culture like ‘Swara Maadhuri’, ‘Sri Chakra darshana’, Book and CD releases, Centenary celebrations of the treatise Sangita Sampradaya Pradarshini; ‘Hari Kesha’- 125th birthday remembrance of the great musician-composer Harikeshanallur Dr. L.Muthaih Bhagavatar at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and National Seminar on Katha Keertan

The 10th Anniversary of the organization was celebrated by a unique musical – Bhaktiyaana which comprised compositions on Lord Narayana beginning with Suprabhata continuing with various events and concluding with a lullaby to the Almighty. The musical was later produced into an audio CD which was released in 2010. It has also produced the documentary, ‘Sri Chakra Darshana’ which describes the specifics of Sri Chakra worship, Sri Vidya and the compositions of Sri Muthuswamy Dikshithar.

In 2013, the organization was rechristened to Vanamala Center for Art and Culture in order to encompass new goals such as undertaking research projects and supporting research students who are pursuing active research in musicology, dance, theatre, temple architecture and other art forms. The Center also houses a library with over 2000 books on Music, Musicology, Philosophy, allied Arts; Archives comprising Manuscripts of rare unpublished compositions, photographs connected to Musicians, Ancient Temples, Sculptures; recordings of yesteryear musicians, interviews of great scholars. The organization is led by Dr. Meera Rajaram Pranesh and a group of trustees who represents diverse fields and bring their expertise to drive the organization.

The latest offering of Vanamala Center For Art & Culture includes Bharatiya Samskriti Darshana which touches upon various facets of Indian art and culture.

The Team

Dr.Meera Rajaram Pranesh – Managing Trustee, Musician, Musicologist, Researcher,Teacher Author

Dr.A Pranesh – Trustee – Treasurer – Medical Doctor, Nature Photographer, Author, Ardent Traveler

Sindhoora – Trustee – Yoga therapist, teacher, Author

Gnanesh – Trustee – Software professional, Amateur Dramatist

Sanjay Pranesh – Trustee – Research Analyst, Wild life photographer

Dr. Archana Bhat – Member Advisory Board – Karnatic Musician, Gamaki, Author

Guru Rajaram – Member Advisory Board- Senior IT professional, Philanthropist, Connoisseur of Art and Culture

 Satya Prasad- Advisory board member

About the Team

Dr. Ananth Pranesh

Dr. Pranesh is doctor by profession who served as a medical officer at National Aerospace Laboratories for over 20 years and now continuing own practice in Bangalore. His interests include nature photography and have contributed several articles and given many slide shows in this regard. He has also contributed towards the screenplay and script for Sri Chakra Darshana.

Sindhoora S

Sindhoora is a yoga instructor who specializes in Yoga Therapy and holds a Master’s Degree in Yogic Sciences from Bangalore University and is a Gold Medallist. She also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Yoga Therapy from Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA) and has also completed a Yoga Instructor Course from the same institution.

She has participated in various therapy camps conducted by SVYASA for various psychosomatic ailments including Diabetes, Hypertension, Muscular and Bone related ailments. She has taken therapy classes in these respective classes and has also taken general yoga classes for students and software professionals. She completed an in depth study on Yoga and Intermediate Memory in High School Children during her study in Bangalore University.  In addition to Yoga Therapy classes she was also a Guest Lecturer at the Yoga Center in Bangalore University.

Apart from her PhD research, Sindhoora is currently a freelance Yoga Therapist and takes therapy classes for Menopause, Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, Pre-Natal and Post-Natal Yoga Therapy, back-pain, neck pain, Sciatica, knee pain, Migraine Asthma, Hypertension among others. She also takes private classes for psychological disorders such as GAD, Clinical Depression and OCD.

She was a Yoga Consultant at Fortis Hospitals and has provided consultation and therapy for patients with cardiac problems, stress disorders, Clinical Depression, Post-Natal Depression, Paralysis, back pain and others. She also takes therapy classes for various ailments at Vanamala Center for Art and Culture along with general Yoga classes.

Mr. Gnanesh Shivanna

Mr. Gnanesh holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electronics and Communications) and is presently a Software Development Manager at Wildfire Networks. Apart from software development, Mr. Gnanesh has a keen interest in Theatre and was trained under National Award Winning director – Prema Karanth. He has been a part of the drama team that has won several competitions at the University level and has gone on to represent the University at Zonal level competitions. He was also a part of the ‘mad ads’ team which was adjourned the ‘Best in Bangalore’ for two consecutive years. He entered professional theatre by directing and acting in the English play Death of a Salesman which was also performed at Ranga Shankara, Bangalore. Gnanesh has lent his voice as a narrator for Sri Chakra Darshana.

Mr. Sanjay Pranesh

Mr. Sanjay holds a Master’s degree in International Economics and Finance from Brandeis University, International Business School, Boston. He is presently a financial analyst working with an Equity Research firm. Apart from being a financial analyst, Mr. Sanjay is a traveller and wildlife photographer with a keen interest to Music and Theatre.

Dr. M V Archana Bhat

Dr. M V Archana Bhat is a Karnatak and Light music vocalist as well as a Gamaka Artist. Being a qualified musician in Proficiency grade from Karnataka Secondary Education Board, Dr. Bhat has learnt the art under the tutelage of scholars such as Vid. Sudha Sridhar, Vid. Shantha Bai, Vid. Madhur Balasubramanyam, Vid. Anoor Ramakrishna, Vid. D. Shashikala, Dr. Meera Rajaram Pranesh and Late Mysore Anantha Swamy in Light Music. She has received her Doctorate from Bangalore University for her research on Karnataka Sangeetada Rachanegalalli Sri Vidyeya Ullekha (References of Sri Vidya in Karnatak music Compositions) under the guidance of Dr. B M Jayashree. Dr. Bhat is also a Graded Artist of All India Radio, Bangalore and has sung for plays directed by Rajendra Karanth and Geeta Bali. She has given several performances and concerts in Karnatak and Light music as well as Gamaka at IGNOU, Prathama Gamaka Sammelana, Kannada Kavya Pata Sarani, IGNOU, Kumarvyasa Bharata and Doordarshan. In addition, she is a writer who has penned many articles on Music and Gamaka. She has previously served as Convenor, Youth wing Karnataka Gana Kala Parishath and continues to serve as Secretary at Raaga Sannidhi. She has been the former Editor of Gana Kalasiri and has contributed for the book Karnatak Music Artists published by Karnataka Sangeeta Nrithya Academy. She has also been honored with the Aryabhata Award for Light Music.

Mr. Satya Prasad

He served as a Section Officer at National Aerospace Laboratories. He chose Kannada theatre as a hobby and being an amateur dramatist, he has performed in more than 100 stage plays. Prasad has acted in more than 40 dramas of All India Radio, Bangalore. Directed many plays of which Home rule of T P Kailasam earned him Best actor and Best Director awards at State level Drama competitions.

Prasad has also written and directed many plays. Some of them being- Madonmatta gaanadatta on de- addiction; Yena bedali ninna balige bandu– a musical play; Nanji Putnanji– a comparison of T P Kailasam and G.P Rajaratnam; Abhinava Vaagdevi Kanti; Govina Kathe in association with Prabhat
kalavidaru and many more. Satya Prasad is the chief of Helping Hands an NGO, which is incessantly working for Orphanages and Physically Challenged Children.

Guru P Rajaram

Guru Rajaram holds a Master’s Degree in Engineering from Southern Illinois University and is a senior Information Technology professional based in Cary, North Carolina. Guru has interests in studying the rich social values of Vedic heritage. He is actively involved in the Triangle School of Vedic Vision, a not for profit organization in Cary, NC that mentors children and youth in the teachings of Vedic heritage. Besides, he also participates in the North Carolina chapter of AIM for Seva, a non-profit organization that builds and runs Chatralayas (free student homes) in rural and tribal locations in India.

The Research Team

Dr. M.A.Madhuvanthi

Dr. Shivashankari J

Dr.Ananya Bhagath 

Dr.Ragini Sanath

Dr.Karthik Ganesh

Nagashree Narayan

Pavani Kashinath

Bhagawathi Nagendra

 Manasa Girish

Dr. M.A.Madhuvanthi

She is a Karnatak classical vocalist and disciple of Ganakalakasturi Vidushi Rupa Sridhar. A state rank holder in the KSEEB Senior Exam and a graded AIR artist, she completed her Vidwat in 2005 and earned her Ph.D. in Music from JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) under Dr. Meera Rajaram Pranesh in 2019. A UGC-JRF awardee, she founded Chittaranjani Centre for Music, training students across levels, and continues to pursue research under her Guru and performances alongside teaching.

Dr.Shivashankari J

A full-time Karnatak musician, she performs with her sister Charumathy Nagarajan as the Bangalore Rajarajeshwari Sisters. Through their school, Mathura Gana Vidya Mandir, they train numerous students and have been organizing the annual Sri Tyagaraja and Purandaradasa Aradhana Mahotsav for over 13 years. A B-graded AIR (Classical Devotional) artist, she holds a Ph.D. and M.Phil. in Music from Jain University under Dr. Meera Rajaram Pranesh and previously served as Program Executive for the RAAGAM channel at All India Radio, Bengaluru. 

Dr.Ananya Bhagath 

She is a researcher and musician with accomplishments across classical, light, film, and devotional music. She earned her Ph.D. and M.Phil. in Music from Jain University, Bengaluru, under the guidance of Dr. Meera Rajaram Pranesh. A disciple of Ganakalashree Vidushi M.S. Sheela and Padma Shri R.N. Tyagarajan, she is also an active playback singer in the South Indian film industry.

Dr.Ragini Sanath

Karnatak classical musician and educator with a Ph.D. and M.Phil. in Music from Jain University under Dr. Meera Rajaram Pranesh. A Gold Medalist in Mphil, CCRT Fellowship recipient, and graded AIR Bengaluru artist, she currently teaches at LGCE, Bengaluru. She also holds an Engineering degree in Electronics and Communication and has prior corporate experience with Tata Consultancy Services and MediAssist TPA Ltd.

Dr.Karthik Ganesh

Karthik began learning music at the age of four and is a Gold Medalist in M.A. Music from Jain University. A recipient of UGC’s Junior and Senior Research Fellowships, he earned his Ph.D. from Jain University and currently serves as an Assistant Professor in its Department of Music. He has performed at several venues across Chennai and Bengaluru.

Nagashree Narayan

Nagashree began her musical journey at the age of six under Vid. Mala Venkatesh and continues her training under Karnataka Kalashree Vid. Tirumale Srinivas. A Telecommunication Engineer by qualification, she previously worked with IBM India Pvt. Ltd. and currently serves as an Analyst at Goldman Sachs. She holds a Master’s degree and an M.Phil. in Music from Jain University, completing her research under the guidance of Dr. Meera Rajaram Pranesh. She has performed at several venues across Karnataka.

Pavani Kashinath

Pavani has been learning music since the age of 5. She is a gold medalist in MA-Music at Jain University. She is an A grade artist of All India Radio in two categories namely Devotional and Light music. She is one of the youngest artists to perform at the prestigious Akashavani Sangeetha Sammelan. She is one of the youngest artists to present a Lecture Demonstration on Avadhana Pallavi at the prestigious Karnataka Ganakala Parishath. She holds a degree in Medical Electronics Engineering.