Ohm Mahaa Ganapathaye Namah

Welcome to Kala Vriksha Foundation, a vibrant community of young artists dedicated to preserving, promoting, and supporting Indian classical arts education. Our organization is committed to fostering a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage of Indian classical arts through community engagement and empowerment.

Explore the timeless beauty of Carnatic music vocals, the rhythmic complexities of Mridangam, the grace of Bharatanatyam, the precision of Nattuvangam, and the intricate craftsmanship of traditional handicrafts. Join us in our mission to keep these ancient arts alive and thriving for future generations.

About Us

Kala Vriksha Foundation, established in July 2024 by passionate young individuals is committed to promoting the Indian Classical Arts and achieving our mission with unwavering dedication.

Our Mission

At Kala Vriksha Foundation, our mission is to preserve, promote, and support Indian classical arts education through community engagement and empowerment. We believe that these arts are not just cultural expressions but vital components of our heritage that must be celebrated and passed down.

Our Vision

We envision a world where Indian classical arts are accessible to everyone, where young artists from all background have the resources and opportunities to learn and hone their skills and where communities come together to celebrate and support the rich cultural tapestry of India.

Our Founders

Founded by a passionate group of young artists, Kala Vriksha Foundation is driven by individuals skilled in various forms of Indian classical arts including Carnatic music vocals, Mridhangam, Bharatanatyam, Nattuvangam, and traditional handicrafts. Our founders' dedication and love for these arts inspire everything we do.

Meet our team

Vikramaadhithyaa Jagannathan

Co-Founder and President

Vikramaadhithyaa Jagannathan is an 11th grade student at Interlake Senior High School (Bellevue, WA) with a profound passion for performing and spreading Indian classical music & arts.

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Aparna Srinidhi Jagannathan

Co-Founder

Aparna Srinidhi Jagannathan, a sophomore at the Georgia Institute of Technology majoring in Biomedical Engineering, is a valued Board Member of Kala Vriksha Foundation.

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Jagannathan Venkatesan

Board Member and Treasurer

Jagannathan Venkatesan is a dedicated advocate for cultural heritage. His expertise in technical leadership, financial management and strategic planning for the foundation's stability and growth.

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Devi Meenakshi Jagannathan

Board Member

Devi Meenakshi Jagannathan has a strong connection to the Carnatic Music and arts from a young age. She brings a wealth of experience, both in the art and leadership, to the foundation.

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Nitin Sriram

Co-Founder

Nitin Sriram, a junior at the University of Washington majoring in Business Administration, is a Co-Founder of Kala Vriksha Foundation. He is an avid athlete and a guitar player.

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Nisha Sriram

Co-Founder & Vice President

Nisha Sriram is an eighth grader at Big Picture School in Bellevue, is a multifaceted artist with talents spanning Bharatanatyam, Carnatic vocals, piano, and Nattuvangam.

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Srividya Chellappan

Board Member

Srividya Chellappan brings her rich experience in Indian classical arts and education to the foundation. She is a proficient Bharatanatyam dancer and a passionate guru.

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Sriram Krishnaswamy

Board Member and Secretary

Sriram is a dynamic, innovative and results-oriented technology leader. An innovator at heart, Sriram continuously brings fresh ideas and insights to the team, fostering growth and success.

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Vikramaadhithyaa Jagannathan,

Co-Founder and President

Vikramaadhithyaa Jagannathan is an 11th grade student at Interlake Senior High School (Bellevue, WA) with a profound passion for performing and spreading Indian classical music & arts. As the co-founder and president of Kala Vriksha Foundation, Vikramaadhithyaa brings his extensive experience in Carnatic music vocals and Mridhangam as well as his work mentoring and tutoring younger students to the forefront of the mission. He has been learning Mridhangam for 8 years under Shri Jagadeeswaran Jayaprakash and Shri B. Ganapathyraman and has accompanied many local talents such as the Nanganallur Sisters. Additionally, he studies Carnatic vocal under Smt. Prameela Rani. He also studies Tabla under the tutelage of Shri. Ravi Albright, and is a longtime member of the Seattle Tabla Institute, participating in its many concerts and charity events. He participated in and won the percussion division of the Ragamala competition, a prestigious Hindustani competition. In his school, he plays lead Alto in the award-winning Interlake Jazz Band I. He was won numerous Outstanding Soloist awards at prestigious jazz competitions and festivals such as the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Idaho, and the Bellevue Jazz Festival in Bellevue, Washington. He is also the principal alto saxophonist in the IHS Wind Ensemble, receiving high ratings in the Eastshore Solo & Ensemble competition and is part of the Marching band as well. He has mentored and tutored younger students for Jazz and Concert band 3 years now, starting in 8th grade tutoring 6th graders at Odle Middle School. He also supports his guru teaching Mridhangam for junior kids.

Aparna Srinidhi Jagannathan

Board Member

Aparna Srinidhi Jagannathan, a sophomore at the Georgia Institute of Technology majoring in Biomedical Engineering, is a valued Board Member of Kala Vriksha Foundation. Aparna plays piano and holds a certificate of Distinction in Grade 8 from Trinity College London. She learns Carnatic vocals from Guru Smt. Prameela Rani and did her vocal Arangetram in the summer of 2023. Additionally, her passion for the visual arts shows through her website, thejasworldcomics.com, where she publishes original comics. She also enjoys drawing and creating pottery in her free time.

Aparna’s leadership impact shines through her experience with teaching. Currently, she is a teaching assistant in the Georgia Tech College of Computing. In addition, she has been teaching piano for the last three years.

Aparna’s innovative approach and dedication to cultural preservation have significantly enhanced the foundation's outreach and impact. Her enthusiasm for promoting arts education and her commitment to fostering young talent are pivotal to the foundation's mission.

Nitin Sriram, Co-Founder

Nitin Sriram, a junior at the University of Washington majoring in Business Administration, is a Co-Founder of Kala Vriksha Foundation. His dedication to community service shines through his involvement with Eastside Friends of Seniors, where he offered reassurance calls, engaging seniors in meaningful conversations and contributing to the Covid-19 vaccine drive for the elderly.

Nitin's passion for sports is evident in his enthusiasm for tennis, snooker, billiards, and badminton. At the Bellevue Badminton Club, he imparts his technical expertise to students, coaching them from fundamental to advanced levels. His reliable, responsible nature and calm demeanor, combined with his leadership and management qualities, make him an excellent mentor.

An avid athlete and musician, Nitin also plays the guitar and holds certifications from Trinity College of Music. His exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, coupled with his business acumen, position him to significantly contribute to the growth and mission of the Kala Vriksha Foundation.

Nisha Sriram, Co-Founder and Vice President

Nisha Sriram serves as the Vice President and Co-Founder of Kala Vriksha Foundation. Nisha is an eighth grader at Big Picture School in Bellevue, is a multifaceted artist with talents spanning Bharatanatyam, Carnatic vocals, piano, and Nattuvangam. Her artistic journey began at the tender age of five under the guidance of her Guru, Vidushi Smt. Shantha Srikanth, at the Sri Nrityaranjani Fine Arts Academy, Bangalore. Nisha's dedication to Bharatanatyam has led her to perform at numerous Hindu temples in India and Malaysia, as well as various temples in Washington State and Oregon in the USA.

In addition to her dance prowess, Nisha excels in Carnatic music, studying under the esteemed SaPa Academy in Bangalore, founded by Dr. L. Subramaniam, and under Smt. Prameela Rani in Bellevue. She is also an accomplished pianist and has a remarkable talent for calligraphy.

Nisha's accolades include holding a Guinness World Record and a Limca Book of Records in Bharatanatyam. Her expertise in Nattuvangam and Bharatnatyam has significantly contributed to the foundation's growth and success. Her commitment to the arts makes her a valuable asset to the Kala Vriksha Foundation and an inspiration to young artists everywhere.

Srividya Chellappan, Board Member

Srividya Chellappan, a distinguished Board Member, brings her rich experience in Indian classical arts and education to the foundation.

A proficient Bharatanatyam dancer began her training at the tender age of six under the tutelage of the late Guru Smt. Nagamani Srinivasa Rao in Adyar, Chennai. Raised in Besant Nagar, Chennai, she earned her MBA in 2000. She is currently a disciple of Guru Vidushi Smt. Shantha Srikanth, the founder and director of Shri Nrityaranjani Fine Arts Academy in Bangalore. Srividya completed Visharad Poorna from Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Navi Mumbai. She attained a Guinness World Record in 2018. In October 2021, under her guru’s guidance, she established the Sri Nrityaranjani Fine Arts Academy in Bellevue, WA. SNFA is affiliated with SAMPADA, which offers certification for students studying Indian Classical Music and Dance, provided by Silicon Andhra in association with Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University. SNFA is proud to announce becoming a member of the International Dance Council in 2024. The International Dance Council CID is the official umbrella organization for all forms of dance worldwide, founded in 1973 within the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

Sriram Krishnaswamy, Board Member and Secretary

Sriram, as a distinguished Board Member and Secretary of the Kala Vriksha Foundation, stands out as a dynamic and innovative technology leader. With a reputation for being results-oriented, Sriram's core values shine through: strong ethics, sincere dedication, and exceptional business operation acumen. An innovator at heart, Sriram continuously brings fresh ideas and insights to the team, fostering growth and success.

Devi Meenakshi Jagannathan, Board Member

Devi Meenakshi Jagannathan has been thickly connected to the Carnatic Music scene for decades now. With exposure to the arts from a young age, she brings a wealth of experience, both in the art and leadership, to the table. She demonstrates her passion for the art form through her involvement in supporting organizing events that celebrate Indian Classical Music, often in tandem with her family. In her free time, she experiments with different art forms from kolams to decorative projects. Mrs. Jagannathan also has taught Shlokas and Shri Ramayana to young toddlers. Mrs. Devi Meenakshi Jagannathan, as a Board Member of Kala Vriksha Foundation is dedicated to empowering others through the beauty of Carnatic tradition.

Jagannathan Venkatesan, Board Member and Treasurer

Jagannathan Venkatesan, the Board Member and Treasurer of Kala Vriksha Foundation, is a dedicated advocate for cultural heritage. His expertise in technical leadership, financial management and strategic planning along with his academic background ensures the foundation's stability and growth. Jagannathan's unwavering support for traditional arts continues to inspire both the team and the community.

Programs

Structured and effective initiatives to accomplish our mission.

Workshops and Classes

Join our workshops and classes led by experienced artists. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced student, our programs are designed to help you develop your skills and deepen your understanding of Indian classical arts.

Community Engagement

We organize regular community events, performances, and exhibitions to bring people together and foster a love for Indian classical arts. Our events are open to everyone and provide a platform for artists to showcase their talents and connect with the community.

Empowerment Initiatives

Our empowerment initiatives aim to provide resources and support to young artists. From scholarships to mentorship programs, we are committed to helping the next generation of artists thrive.

Get Involved

Ways to contribute to our community success.

Volunteer

Join our team of dedicated volunteers and make a difference. Whether you can offer your time, skills, or resources, your contribution will help us achieve our mission.

Donate

We are pleased to announce that our nonprofit organization has registered with platforms like Zeffy and Benevity to streamline the process of making contributions. These platforms offer a seamless and secure way for supporters to donate, ensuring that their generosity directly supports our mission. Additionally, as a tax-exempt organization determined by the IRS under section 501(c)(3), all donations made to our organization are tax-deductible, providing an added benefit for our donors. We are committed to making it easier for you to support the preservation and promotion of Indian classical arts.

Support our cause by making a donation. Your generosity will enable us to continue offering programs and initiatives that preserve and promote Indian classical arts.

Ways to Donate

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Support us via Benevity

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Partner with us

We are always looking for partners who share our vision. If you are an organization or individual interested in collaborating with us, please get in touch.

Contact Us

We would love to hear from you! Whether you have questions, suggestions, or want to get involved, please reach out to us.

  • Office Location: Kala Vriksha Foundation, Bellevue, WA
  • Email: kalavrikshafoundation@gmail.com
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