About the Gurus
Girija’s musical journey has been lovingly nurtured and guided by esteemed gurus whose dedication, depth of knowledge, and passion for the classical arts have left a profound imprint on her growth as an artist.
With unwavering commitment, her gurus have not only imparted technical mastery and traditional discipline, but have also inspired a deep reverence for the rich heritage of Carnatic music. Their mentorship has shaped Girija’s artistry, cultivated her confidence, and fostered a sense of purpose that extends beyond performance.
It is with immense gratitude and respect that we honour the gurus who have been the guiding light on Girija’s path a journey rooted in tradition, elevated by devotion, and blossoming through their generous teaching.
Isai Kalaimani Sangeetha Vidwan Parasakthy Vinayagathevarajah
Smt. Parasakthy Vinayagathevarajah is a distinguished vocalist, revered educator, and principal performer, celebrated for her mastery of two classical South Indian musical traditions: Carnatic music and the ancient Tamil art form of Pann Isai. With a career spanning decades, she stands as one of the most accomplished and respected exponents in her field.
Her musical odyssey began at the tender age of five, under the loving guidance of her first guru and mother, Smt. Sathiyalushmi Sivalingam. She went on to train under the esteemed Isai Pulavar Shanmugaratnam and Shanmugaragavan, earning formal diplomas and widespread acclaim. A gold medalist from the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Jaffna, she was conferred the prestigious title Isai Kalaimani. Furthering her academic and artistic pursuits, she graduated from the Madras Music College with the esteemed distinction of Sangeetha Vidwan.
Expanding her repertoire beyond Carnatic music, Smt. Parasakthy underwent specialized training in Pann Isai a sacred Tamil musical tradition under the tutelage of luminaries such as Lalkudy Swaminathan, Isaivanaar Thamilisai Changam, and V. Somasundaram under the Dharmapuram Aadeenam. In recognition of her exceptional contributions, she was awarded the distinguished title Pann Isai Maamani.
Her professional accomplishments are equally notable. She served as a lecturer at the Ramanathan Academy of Fine Arts, University of Jaffna, and was a super-grade principal performer for both the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. Her excellence was further acknowledged by the Directorate of Art and Culture in Chennai, who recognized her as “an exceptional artiste of her time.”
Now based in Toronto, Canada, Smt. Parasakthy Vinayagathevarajah is the founder and director of Sakthy Sangeetha Academy. With an active student base of over one hundred aspiring musicians, she continues to impart rigorous training in Carnatic and Pann Isai traditions. Through her mentorship, she has guided seventeen students through their Arangetram milestones each a testament to her enduring commitment to excellence and cultural preservation.
Her life’s work reflects a rare blend of devotion, discipline, and deep musical insight. Smt. Parasakthy’s legacy is not only etched in the accolades she has earned, but also in the hearts and voices of the many students she continues to inspire.
Isai Kalaimani Sangeetha Kalavithagar Kuganeswary Sathiyamoorthy
Smt. Kuganeswary Sathiyamoorthy is a respected veena artist, dedicated teacher, and lifelong practitioner of South Indian classical music. Her journey in the arts began at the renowned Rasiha Ranjanaa Sabha in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, where she first studied vocal music under the guidance of Moorthy Iyer and Visvanatha Iyer. She later discovered her passion for the veena, initially training under Ms. Vijayalakshmi Shanmuganathan, and further refining her skills under Mr. Arumugam Pillai.
Her formal music education culminated in the completion of a four-year diploma in veena at the Ramanathan Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Jaffna, where she studied under the esteemed guidance of Smt. Nanthini Vijayaratnam and Smt. Malini Thanabalasingam. In recognition of her musical excellence, she was awarded the title Isai Kalaimani. She later earned her teaching credentials from the North Ceylon Musical Society and received the title Sangeetha Kalavithagar.
Smt. Kuganeswary’s professional journey began as a music teacher at Pungudutheevu Sri Shanmuganathan Vidyalayam and later at Colombo Dematagoda Vipulanantha Mahavidyalayam. She also served as a veena instructor at the musical school of Smt. Gowreswari Rajappan, training students up to the teacher’s certification level.
A skilled performer, Smt. Kuganeswary has featured in veena programs on both Radio Ceylon and the Sri Lanka Rupavahini (TV) Corporation. Her veena accompaniment has enriched numerous classical dance Arangetrams over the years.
Now based in Canada, she is the founder and director of Natha Veena Mantdram, where she has been teaching veena for over two decades. Each year, she hosts annual student performances, nurturing a strong foundation in performance and discipline. Many of her students have successfully completed their teacher’s grade examinations, and she has proudly guided six students through their Arangetrams. Today, she joyfully presents her seventh Arangetram student.
Smt. Kuganeswary Sathiyamoorthy is cherished for her quiet dedication, refined musicianship, and her tireless commitment to preserving and sharing the timeless beauty of veena music with future generations.
