Dr. Pooja Goswami Pavan is a Hindustani classical vocalist, composer, teacher and scholar. Growing up in an environment of music and theater, she developed a deep interest in composing music to verses in Hindi and Urdu. The versatility in Pooja’s repertoire is evident in her ability to sing Thumri, Dadra, Ghazal, Bhajan, Sufiana Kalam and folk genres such as the Hori, Chaiti & Kajri besides the Khayal. Pooja was trained in Hindustani music by Pandit Surendra Goswami, Professor Ajit Singh Paintal and continues her advanced training in Khayal with her brother Professor Shailendra Goswami. She has also been trained in semi-classical music by the eminent vocalist Vidushi Shanti Hiranand. Pooja received a Ph.D. in Indian Classical Music from the University of Delhi.

Dr. Pavan, Ph.D., based in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, is a Tabla player and teacher. He initially trained in Tabla under Sri G. Laxmiah and has studied with several masters over the years. He presently trains with Sri Rajendra Nakod and Ustad Shabbir Nisar, the illustrious son and disciple of the Tabla legend Ustad Shaik Dawood Khan. He has performed for Katha Dance Theater, Pangea World Theater, and Indian Music Society of Minnesota (IMSOM) in several productions and concerts. Pavan also appears on recordings of world/fusion music with many Minnesota based artists. Pavan co-composed and performed with Nirmala Rajasekar, Minnesota based Veena artist, the score for Pangea World Theater’s production “Partitions” in 2002, and the score for “5 Weeks” in 2017 with Dr. Pooja Goswami Pavan, his wife, who is a Hindustani vocalist, teacher and composer.

Vinay is a gifted and accomplished Santoor virtuoso, recognized for his deep connection to the sacred art of music. As a direct disciple of the world-renowned Santoor maestro, Padma Vibhushan Pandit Shivkumar Sharmaji, Vinay has dedicated himself to mastering the ancient traditions of Santoor under the guidance of some of the most revered teachers. His journey began with early training in tabla and vocal music, leading to mentorship under Takahiro Arai and Kunal Gunjal in 2011 before he was personally accepted into Pandit Shivkumar Sharmaji’s tutelage.

Vinay’s performances have taken him across the globe, captivating audiences in Hawaii, Argentina, Canada, Australia, India, and beyond. He has graced some of the world’s most prestigious festivals and organizations, including the Fringe Festival in Adelaide, Lollapalooza Festival in Argentina (where he was one of the first Santoor players to perform in an orchestra), Jaipur Literature Festival, SwarZankar in Pune, Festival of Tabla in L.A., and the KBF Festival in Arizona. His performances transcend geographical boundaries and speak to the soul, earning him recognition as an artist who bridges cultures through music.

Known for his deeply meditative and dynamic musical phrases, Vinay’s commitment to preserving the purity of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma’s style is evident in every performance. His music has the rare ability to transport listeners into a place of deep stillness, followed by a powerful rhythmic journey, often accompanied by world-class tabla players, including legends like Ustad Tari Khan and Ustad Sukhvinder Singh Pinky.

A Vinay concert is a journey — beginning with a melodic improvisation that takes the audience into a meditative space. Once the mood of the raag is set, rhythmic phrases with the tabla follow, creating a captivating, dynamic dialogue that engages the audience in an ever-evolving musical conversation. His performances, often lasting up to an hour and fifteen minutes, culminate in fast-paced pieces that mesmerize and enthrall, leaving audiences awestruck by the superlative melodic improvisation and impeccable rhythm.

Vinay’s ability to interpret and innovate within the traditional boundaries of Indian classical music is unmatched. With each performance, he not only honors the legacy of his teacher, Pandit Shivkumar Sharmaji, but also redefines what is possible with the Santoor, creating music that resonates with both the heart and the mind.

Join Vinay on a musical journey that transcends time and space, where devotion and innovation come together in perfect harmony.

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