About us

Smt. Usha Akella

Classical Carnatic Music Teacher

Born into a family that is culturally educated, socially active, and highly appreciative of the fine arts, Smt Usha garu was introduced to art at an early age. Starting with classical Carnatic music, she was soon immersed into all that defines shringar rasa – dressing and preparing the mind, body and soul for appropriate presentation to the right audiences.

A loving and compassionate teacher, she is very sensitive to the pressures of modern living and is always willing to accommodate today’s schedules.

Apart from teaching, Usha garu is also very active socially and culturally. She has served as the chair of the Telugu Fine Arts Society (TFAS) committee for cultural activities. She also volunteers for the Hindu Temple and Cultural Society (HTCS) cultural activites.

A teacher, a mother, a colleague, a wife, a sister, and a friend, she brings the same passion to each relationship and a new definition to the expression “a complete woman”.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Sri Mani Akella

Classical Hindustani Music Teacher

Introduced to the sitar before his 5^th birthday, Mani has had the fortune of being tutored by traditional gurus for 17 years in the intricacies of Hindustani Instrumental music. His gurus included students of the illustrious Pt. Nikhil Banerjee, as well as students of Shri Manilal Nag.

Having been tutored in the Bishnupur and Manihar Gharana styles, Mani has blended the styles into his own unique form which uses delicate artistry combined with precision classical expression to produce audible bliss.

Music is not just about the audible experience – one has to truly live the culture to understand the core drivers. Mani uses his experience teaching Vedic Hinduism to little children every weekend, the teachings of his Gurus in reliving the Vedas and Upanishads, and deep dives into the Advaita Vedanta of Shri Adi Shankaracharya to help him understand the true bliss that the Gandharva Veda brings to life.