GAAYATRI is a practicing Naad Yogini with 28 years of experience. She is a trained Hindustani Vocalist hailing from the Rampur Maihar-Senia Gharana. She trained under the Late Ustad Ali Akbar Khan in the traditional Guru-Shishya parampara from the age of 4, until the age of 18, studying with him until his passing.

GAAYATRI is the first pure vocal practitioner of this lineage of Raaga practice from the time of Mian Tansen’s daughter Saraswati since the 16th century. 7 generations later, she was trained specifically and extensively by her Guru to represent the practice of this rare knowledge in its most authentic form, which has been stewarded over generations by the great instrumentalists of the Maihar Gharana including Ustad Allauddin Khan, Pt. Ravi Shankar, Smt. Annapoorna Devi, and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan himself. She had the fortunate of singing for Smt. Annapoorna Devi, and receiving her blessing that her presentation is authentic to the tradition and lineage of music taught by Ustad Allauddin Khan.

Her training was unique as she learned Hindustani music as a Naad Yoga Raaga practice. She grew up from a young age practicing Naad Yoga as a lifestyle. Her training was deeply rooted in the principle that the true power of music is deepest when it is practiced as a form of Naad Yoga. She learned the kriya techniques of practicing music in this way, and grew up with this practice as a lifestyle.

Her unique style is characterized by its roots in Dhrupad, carrying an overarching emphasis on tonal purity attuning to one’s resonance to improve one’s Naad, and Raaga elaboration based in the principles of vibrational energetics of the Raaga. She is trained in all major styles of Raaga practice, including Dhrupad, Khyaal, Light Classical, Devotional, and also practices Sanskrit mantra chanting.