Grateful2Gurus 2025: Celebrating Our Exemplary Gurus

INDICA is deeply honoured to announce the Gurus being felicitated in Grateful2Gurus 2025 for their exemplary, selfless service in upholding and transmitting Indian Knowledge Systems, Culture, and Traditions.

Grateful2Gurus is our annual flagship initiative that offers seekers and communities a sacred opportunity to acknowledge the knowledge imparted by their Gurus and to express heartfelt gratitude for the transformative journeys they have enabled.

The Guru–Shishya Parampara

In the Indian tradition, a Guru is the enlightened master who selflessly shares wisdom and nurtures the eternal flow of knowledge for lokasangraha (universal welfare). By assessing each Shishya’s readiness, the Guru offers guidance that enables the pursuit of the four Purusharthas – Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.

Our civilizational legacy is illuminated by such Gurus, from Acharya Chanakya and Adi Shankaracharya to Swami Vivekananda and countless others, who have protected and renewed Dharma across generations.

A Humble Offering Since 2016

Since its inception in 2016, Grateful2Gurus has remained an offering of the heart. Whether through intimate ceremonies at a Guru’s home or larger gatherings in Chennai, each felicitation affirms the timeless relevance of the Guru–Shishya Parampara.

As we prepare to honour this year’s Gurus on Guru Purnima, we invite you to join this sacred celebration, an expression of reverence, remembrance, and collective gratitude.

Chennai Felicitation

We are honoured to felicitate the following Gurus in Chennai as part of Grateful2Gurus 2025:

1. Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam

2. Sudharani Raghupathy

3. Smt. S. Rajeswari

4. Dr. Prema Rangarajan

5. Dr. Sita Sundar Ram

6. Kalasarathi. Acharya Ratna. Guru. Rajam Shanker

7. Dr. Kanakam Devaguptapu

8. Prof. K.E. Dharaneedharan

9. Prof. Dr. Vd. Jayakrishnan K.T.

10. Sirappu Kalaimamani Dr. Ambika Kameshwar

11. Acharya Dr. R. Rangan

Chief Guest – Swami Mitrananda, Resident Spiritual Mentor, Chinmaya Mission, Chennai

Swami Mitrananda is the resident Spiritual Mentor of Chinmaya Mission Chennai, renowned for his dynamic leadership and inspiring guidance. A disciple of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, he embraced monastic life in 1989 and was initiated into sannyasa by Swami Tejomayananda in 1999. As former National Director of Chinmaya Yuvakendra, he pioneered impactful initiatives including the Youth Empowerment Programme and Transforming Indians to Transform India. Swamiji’s engaging approach weaves spirituality with adventure, theatre, and service, making profound wisdom accessible to the youth. His visionary efforts continue to uphold and share the timeless values of Sanatana Dharma with clarity and enthusiasm. Swami Mitrananda is gracing the Grateful2Gurus 2025 Felicitation program as Chief Guest. Team INDICA is honoured to have his divine presence.

Date: Thursday, 10 July 2025 (Guru Purnima)

Time: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Venue: Tattvaloka Auditorium, Eldams Road, Teynampet, Chennai

Felicitations at Residences & Centres

We are privileged to also honour the other Gurus in different parts of India and the world. Please refer to the Grateful2Gurus 2025 Announcement on our website for a complete list.

We thank all the Shishyas who have nominated their Gurus. We have received many more nominations and look forward to honouring them in future years.

About Grateful2Gurus

Honouring Gurus lies at the heart of INDICA’s mission. With the blessings of the Kanchi Kamakoti Shankaracharya Peetham, INDICA began its journey in 2015, inspired by the spirit of the Guru–Shishya Parampara and traditions like the Tenali Pareeksha.

In 2016–17, Grateful2Gurus was launched on Guru Purnima, the sacred day dedicated to Maharshi Vyasa, as a way to formally express gratitude to Gurus. The program expanded across India by 2018–2020 and was revived with renewed vision in 2023 and 2024, with a central ceremony in Chennai.

To date, over 130 Gurus have been honoured through this initiative.

Join Us

The Grateful2Gurus 2025 ceremony will bring together seekers, academicians, and tradition-bearers. The event will feature:

Observances of gratitude

1. Reflections from disciples

2. Tributes to Gurus whose life and work embody the spirit of Chaturvidha Purushartha

We invite you to join us in this sacred celebration. Your presence will enrich the spirit of the event, as we come together to recognise those who quietly and humbly preserve India’s living wisdom traditions.

With respectful Pranams
Team INDICA

Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam

Padma Subrahmanyam is a revered Bharata Nāṭyam dancer, scholar, choreographer, and Indologist who blends tradition with deep inquiry. From her debut in 1956 under Vazhuvoor R. Pillai’s tutelage, she pursued scholarship to bridge history, theory, and dance through rigorous research. Her PhD on reconstructing the 108 karanas—ancient dance movements from the Nāṭyaśāstra—resulted in a living art form she named Bharata Nrithyam. This revived tradition is expressed in her choreography, teaching, and sculptural designs, including 108 granite sculptures for the Satara Natarāja temple under Kanchi Paramacharya’s guidance. Honoured with Padma Śrī (1981), Padma Bhūshan (2003), and Padma Vibhūshan (2024), along with the Sangeet Natak Akademi and international awards, she remains an understated beacon of cultural revival. Her journey silently reaffirms that scholarship and devotion can illuminate living traditions for contemporary and future generations.

Prof. Sudharani Raghupathy

Prof. Sudharani Raghupathy has spent over five decades shaping the landscape of Bharatanatyam as a performer, choreographer, and revered teacher. Trained in tradition and enriched by study in the United States, she has brought a rare vision to her art, presenting acclaimed dance-dramas such as Ramayana, Shankara Loka Shanka, and Krishna Vande Jagat Gurum. As Founder-Trustee of Shree Bharatalaya, she has nurtured generations of dancers with discipline and grace. Her performances before world leaders and at the United Nations reflect a life dedicated to elevating Bharatanatyam on the global stage. Honoured with the Padma Shri, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and multiple titles, she is regarded as a living legend. Through pioneering work like India’s first dance television serial and her instructional volumes Laghu Bharatham, she has sustained and expanded the reach of her tradition. Her journey affirms dance as both devotion and transformative cultural legacy.

Smt. S. Rajeswari

Smt. S. Rajeswari has dedicated more than five decades to the rich tradition of Carnatic music, both as an accomplished performer and a revered teacher. Trained under eminent stalwarts such as Thanjavur S. Balasubramaniam and Madurai Krishnan, she refined her art with devotion and discipline. As Principal of the Tamil Nadu Government Music College in Chennai, she guided countless students, nurturing their musical journeys with patience and insight. Honoured with titles including Kalaimamani and recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, she has contributed significantly to the preservation and dissemination of Carnatic music. Her recordings and lectures have become valued resources for practitioners and dancers alike, providing melodic foundations and interpretive depth. Even in retirement, she continues to share her knowledge generously, embodying a spirit of service that has quietly enriched the cultural landscape. Her life stands as a testament to music as a sustaining, sacred inheritance.

Dr. Prema Rangarajan

Dr. Prema Rangarajan is a distinguished Carnatic vocalist and scholar whose journey weaves deep tradition with thoughtful exploration. Holding a PhD from Madras University for her study of Sanskrit compositions by 25 vaggeyakāras, she brings academic depth to her musical expression. Trained under masters like Kadayam Krishnamurthy, T. S. Raghavan, Sulochana Pattabhiraman, S. Rajam and V. V. Srivatsa, she refined both classical rigor and aesthetic nuance. Her contributions include recording rare krtis for AIR’s archives, collaborating on the Dakshina Gāna Surabhi project, and presenting insightful lecture-demonstrations across universities. She has also illuminated the works of composers from the Trinity to Margadarshi Seshaiyengar, Mysore Vasudevachar, and others, reviving lesser-known pieces for today’s audiences. Honoured with awards like the Vocational Excellence Award and Sangeetha Sevamani, Dr. Rangarajan embodies a harmonious union of scholarship and devotion. Her artistry sustains and enriches the Carnatic legacy with quiet grace and unwavering commitment.

Dr. Sita Sundar Ram

Dr. Sita Sundar Ram has devoted her scholarly life to illuminating the rich heritage of Indian mathematics and Sanskrit literature. With doctorates and advanced degrees spanning Sanskrit and mathematics, she has guided generations through teaching, research, and publication. As Secretary of the Kuppuswami Sastri Research Institute and The Samskrita Academy, she has led significant projects editing and translating rare texts, including Ganitasarasangraha and Bijaprabodha. Her work bridges rigorous scholarship and accessible exposition, seen in her books on Indian algebra and contributions to conferences worldwide. Through seminars, radio talks, and school lectures, she has quietly nurtured interest in India’s scientific legacy among diverse audiences. Recognised for her clarity and devotion to preserving ancient knowledge, she embodies a spirit of service that uplifts students and scholars alike. Her life’s work affirms that traditional wisdom remains a vital source of insight and inspiration for contemporary inquiry.

Kalasarathi. Acharya Ratna. Guru. Rajam Shanker

Kalasarathi. Acharya Ratna. Guru. Rajam Shanker has dedicated over four decades to harnessing the ancient power of Indian classical music as a pathway to healing and wholeness. Trained in the revered tradition of Carnatic music, she evolved into a pioneering music therapist, crafting individualized Raga-Chikitsa protocols to support children and adults with autism, neurodevelopmental conditions, and trauma. Through her work with RASA Gurukulam and global workshops, she has nurtured a generation of therapists and caregivers, demonstrating how NadaAnusandana awakens the body’s innate resilience. Her acclaimed book, The Healing Power of Indian Ragas, offers a thoughtful synthesis of tradition and therapeutic science. Recognized with honours such as the NADA Excellence Award and IIWA Outstanding Woman in Music Therapy Award, she exemplifies a rare blend of scholarship, compassion, and quiet resolve. In every note and gesture, she affirms the timeless promise of music to console, uplift, and transform lives with dignity.

Dr. Kanakam Devaguptapu

Dr. Kanakam Devaguptapu has devoted her life to education, music, and quiet service. Over a distinguished 40-year career, she rose from Lecturer to Professor and Head of English at Stenden University’s Qatar Campus, where her compassion and skill earned lasting respect. Parallel to her academic journey, she nurtured a lifelong commitment to Carnatic Veena, guiding students for more than 25 years with patience and inspiration. After retiring from formal teaching, she turned her focus to musicology, researching and publishing works on Telugu compositions such as Sankeertanarchana, Varna Varnanam, and Kshetrayya Padams. Her scholarship continues to enrich practitioners of classical music and dance. Rooted in a deep devotion to Mata Lalita Devi, her spiritual instinct shapes her generous guidance to many who regard her as mentor and friend. Dr. Kanakam’s life affirms the quiet power of dedication—bridging disciplines and generations with grace and purpose.

Prof. K.E. Dharaneedharan

Prof. K.E. Dharaneedharan has devoted his scholarly life to the exploration and teaching of Nyāya, Mīmāṃsā, and Vedānta. With a rare depth of training across Sarvadarśana and Advaita, he has shaped generations of students at Banaras Hindu University and Pondicherry University. His guidance of over forty Ph.D. scholars and numerous postgraduate students reflects a steadfast commitment to nurturing rigorous inquiry. Through his writings—ranging from Adhyayanavidhivichāraḥ to incisive articles on Vedānta and Mīmāṃsā—he has illuminated classical Indian philosophy with clarity and devotion. Honoured with titles such as Śrībhāṣyaratna Chūḍāmaṇi and Śāstraratnākara, he is held in esteem for combining academic leadership with a spirit of service. As teacher, author, and mentor, he has gently strengthened the foundations of traditional thought in modern academia. In his quiet, unassuming way, Prof. Dharaneedharan has embodied the sustaining power of the śāstric tradition as a living inheritance.

Prof. Dr. Vd. Jayakrishnan K.T.

Prof. Dr. Vd. Jayakrishnan KT has devoted his life to the practice, teaching, and global advocacy of Ayurveda. Trained at Kottakkal’s esteemed VPSV Ayurveda College, he began his academic journey in 1987, serving as Professor and Head of Rachana Sareera at Coimbatore Ayurveda College, where he nurtured the Gurukula tradition. Later, as Professor, Medical Superintendent, and Principal-in-Charge at Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Ayurveda College, he blended scholarship with compassionate care. For over fifteen years as Chief Medical Officer at Shantha Ayurveda Hospital, he treated more than 200,000 patients, embodying Ayurveda’s healing ethos. His leadership extends internationally through active contributions to the Ayurvedic Association of Brazil and the Council for Ayurveda Credentialing. Respected for his clarity of thought and innovative pedagogy, Dr. Jayakrishnan has shared his insights at conferences worldwide. In his present role as Group Medical Director at Triyog Ayurved Hospitals, he continues to uphold Ayurveda as a living, global tradition rooted in service.

Sirappu Kalaimamani Dr. Ambika Kameshwar

Dr. Ambika Kameshwar embodies a luminous confluence of artistry, compassion, and scholarship. A celebrated dancer, musician, composer, and teacher, she has spent over five decades weaving the timeless beauty of Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music with a profound commitment to inclusivity. As founder of RASA, she pioneered Theatre Arts for Holistic Development, offering transformative spaces where individuals with diverse abilities discover dignity and expression. Her work bridges tradition and service, bringing the healing power of dance and music to thousands. With deep training under legendary gurus and an academic foundation in Natya, she has choreographed, composed, and performed globally, enriching audiences and students alike. Recognised with honours including the Sirappu Kalaimamani Award, her life is a testament to using art as a sacred offering. In every endeavour, Dr. Ambika evokes the quiet grace of devotion and the enduring relevance of cultural heritage as a force for wholeness.

Acharya Dr. R. Rangan

Acharya Dr. Rangan Ramakrishnan has devoted his life to reviving the spirit of the Ramayana and Vedic wisdom in contemporary times. As a scholar, teacher, poet, and philosopher, he has blended rigorous study with a profound sense of bhakti. His journey spans founding gurukulams in Bangalore and Ayodhya, offering spaces where students learn Vedas, Sanskrit, and Yoga without barriers of background. His ten-volume commentaries on the Rig Veda and Valmiki Ramayana stand as rare testaments to both scholarship and devotion. Beyond his writings, Dr. Rangan has delivered countless discourses that gently guide seekers towards dharmic life. Recognised with honours such as “Rama Kathamrutha Varshi,” he has quietly become a bridge between ancient tradition and modern aspirations. His work reflects a luminous commitment to sustaining cultural values, nurturing the inner life of individuals, and offering the timeless insights of Sanatana Dharma to all who seek them.