Faculty

Global Indian Cultural Centre (GICC) has a team of professional and trained faculty with wide experience in their respective backgrounds. Providing the right guidance, training and knowledge, GICC's faculty is instrumental in the rich learning experience that the centre offers to its students.

GICC Queenstown

Mr Atul Deshpande | Yoga

Mr Deshpande is a disciple of Hathayogi Nikam Guruji who propagated Hathayoga selflessly throughout his life. Mr Deshpande, who has been practicing Hathayoga since 1980, has been instrumental in establishing and operating several Yoga centres of Shri Ambika Yoga Kutir in Mumbai under the guidance of Hathayogi Nikam Guruji. (1982 to 1995)

Notable achievements –
  • Founder of Nikam Guruji Yoga Kutir, Singapore which has so far enrolled 35,000 Yoga aspirants
  • Winner of 'Adarsh Yogashikshak' Award from Shri Ambika Yoga Kutir
  • Patron and ex-President of Nikam Guruji Yoga Kutir, Singapore
  • Awarded the 'Healthy Lifestyle Ambassador' award by Health Promotion Board, Singapore

Yuva Kalabharathy Tiruchy L. Saravanan | Carnatic Vocal

B.A in Indian Music from the University of Madras

Mr Saravanan had worked as a flute lecturer in Tamil Nadu Govt. Music College, Chennai. He has also taught flute at LASALLE College of Arts, Singapore and Carnatic vocal and flute at Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS). He has been a Keyboard teacher at GICC since 2005.

Notable achievements –
  • Bagged the first prize in the All India Radio Flute Competition, received the gold medal in the Calcutta Youth Festival, the prestigious Senior Flutist award from the Chennai Music Academy and several awards from music abhas all over India.
  • Performed as a soloist in several countries of Australasia, Europe, the United States, and Oceania and accompanied in several dance arangatrams, concerts, top ranking stalwarts of Carnatic music, Bharatanatyam and Odissi in world tours.
  • Composed and conducted several ensembles for Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) for cultural shows and award winning compositions for the National Indian Music Competition, Singapore. He has scored music to the poetry of Bharat Ratna Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and conducted a special ensemble in his presence.

Ms Ashwini Sathish | Carnatic Vocal

Masters in Music from Mysore University (Gold Medallist), India

Ms Sathish was the recipient of a two-year H.R.D. Scholarship by the Ministry of Culture (2001 – 2003), Government of India. She has been teaching Carnatic music since past 10 years. Ms Ashwini is skilled with exceptional talent in light music and has performed in several concerts, youth festivals, international music festivals and prestigious occasions such as 'Bengaluru Habba', programmes conducted by the Department of Kannada Culture and earned the appreciation of connoisseurs. Ms Ashwini has also authored several articles on Carnatic music.

Notable achievements –
  • 'B-High' Graded Artist of All India Radio, Bangalore in Classical Music and Light Classical Music
  • Awarded 'Ananya Kala Prathibhe' by Ananya, Bangalore
  • Secured First Class in Vidwat Examinations Conducted by K.S.E.E.B
  • Given vocal classical performances on several TV channels, including Udaya TV, Chandana TV, E-TV and Survana TV

Ms Srividya Sriram | Carnatic Vocal & Violin

Ms Srividya Sriram started learning Carnatic vocal at the age of four from Smt. Kamakshi Balasubramanyam (a senior disciple of Late Shri Kolkata Krishnamurthy) in Kolkata.

Notable achievements –
  • Ms Sriram started giving full time concerts from the age of 12 under her teacher's able guidance
  • An A Grade Artist of All India Radio, Kolkata for Carnatic vocal
  • Performed at the prestigious Music Academy of Chennai for a CD release concert
  • Ms Srividya has widely performed in Singapore as an accompanist at SIFAS, Syama and other cultural associations, and accompanied famous singers like Vishaka Hari and Sriram Parthasarathy during their concert tours in Singapore

Dr Namita Mehta | Hindustani Vocal

M.Phil. and PhD in Hindustani Vocal Music from Delhi University, 2010; Masters in Music from, Indraprastha College, Delhi University, 2003; Sangeet Alankar from Gandharva Mahavidhyalaya, 2003 and Sangeet Shiromani from Delhi University, 2001

Dr Mehta has taught Hindustani vocal music at several renowned music schools in India and Singapore.

Notable achievements –
  • Conducted lecture demonstration on K L Sehgal and Voice Culture
  • Accompanied accomplished Kathak dancers for Bandish, Thumris and Taranas
  • Performed as member and lead singer of Gandharva and Swar Trishna Choir

Ms Sucheta Bhattacharya | Hindustani Vocal

MA, Vocal Classical Music, Rabindra Bharati University

Notable achievements –
  • A student of Padma Bhushan Pandit Debu Chowdhury, Ms Sucheta has been a frequent performer at Akashvani in Kolkata and also at the Sangeet Natak Academy in Kolkata from 1998 to 2000
  • In Singapore and India, Ms Sucheta has performed in the august presence of stalwarts such as Pandit Birju Maharaj and Pandits Rajan and Sajan Mishra
  • Ms Sucheta has also received many awards at National Level competitions in India for Khayal, Ghazal and Thumri including the 'Best Vocalist of the Year' title in 1996 for Hindustani Classical Music – Khayal at the AIR Music Competition

Ms M.S Srilakshmi Arun | Bharatanatyam

Ms M.S Srilakshmi Arun is a professional Bharatanatyam dancer, having completed Vidwat with Distinction.

Notable achievements –
  • Recipient of merit scholarship from Government of India (Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Culture, New Delhi) and Sangeetha Nrithya Academy, Government of Karnataka, India for two consecutive years
  • Student of Natyavisharade Smt. Narmada, she has over 250 performances to her credit
  • Qualified examiner for Bharatanatyam for Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board and has acted in many telefilms and serials
  • A Graded Doordarshan Artist in Bangalore and has performed solo exclusively for Indian National Tourism Boards, Dance and Music festivals and Directorate of Kannada culture, Government of Karnataka
  • Has judged the national level dance competition, 'Bharatam 2008' in Singapore

Ms Aarti Chidambaram | Bharatanatyam

MA, Vocal classical music, Rabindra Bharati University

Notable achievements –
  • Ms Aarti has been trained under different gurus who have imparted various styles or "Vazhiandrams" that they hail from. One of the eminent teachers to mention was Dr Yamini Krishnamurthy (Padma Bhushan and Padma Shree)
  • Held the prestigious CCRT (Centre for Cultural Research and Training) for its whole tenure
  • Represented India in the famous Harvard National Model United Nations in Boston, USA in 1997
  • Represented the country abroad on various occasions like the India Promotion Festival at Barcelona, Spain in October 1991, sponsored by the Department of Tourism, Government of India and the tour of the South Asian countries of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia as part of an ICCR sponsored Bharatnatyam Dance troupe in connection with the golden jubilee celebration of the Indian Independence in August 1997
  • Apart from dance Ms Aarti, has also learnt Carnatic classical music from the legendary O.V. Subramanian for 10 years

Ms Shobhinya Karthikeyan | Bharatanatyam

Honours Diploma Course in Bharatanatyam from Kalakshethra Chennai; Bachelor of Fine Arts from Bharathidasan University, Trichy

Ms Shobhinya passed Higher Grade Govt. Technical Exam – (Indian Music and Bharatanatyam) conducted by Department of Govt. Examination and Education, Government of Tamil Nadu.

Notable achievements –
  • Trained in Bharatanatyam under Vijaya Mukuntan (Salangai Natyapallai), Ms Madhavi Chandrasekhar (Natyalaya) and Ms Ganga Thambi (Kalakshethra), Chennai
  • Commenced learning Bharatanatyam at the age of five at Kalaikaveri, Trichy and successfully passed the Certification course
  • Performed Arangetram in February 1993
  • An approved 'B Grade' Artist in Bharatanatyam of Doordarshan Kendra, Chennai
  • Performed at the prestigious Natyanjali at Chidambaram in 2001 and 2004
  • Performances broadcasted on all major TV channels in India, including Doordarshan, Sun TV and Star Vijay TV
  • A PA-certified trainer in Singapore, teaching at community centres for the past seven years and has conducted workshops in Singapore schools on Indian arts and culture.

Ms Atira Venugopal | Kuchipudi

Masters Degree in Performing Arts (Dance) from the University of Hyderabad, India

Notable achievements –
  • Ms Venugopal started learning the art of dancing at the young age of five. A few years after her Arangetram, she developed an interest in Kuchipudi and learned the basics of this dance form from Guru Kalamandalam Vinodini
  • Pursuing her training under the guidance of a distinguished Guru Dr. Anuradha Jonnalagadda, who is a disciple of the great Master, Dr.VempattiChinna Satyam
  • Received the National Senior Scholarship from Human Resource Development Department, Government of India, New Delhi
  • A 'B Grade' Artist of Thiruvananthapuram Doordarshan Kendra and delivered a Bharatanatyam performance for its widely popular programme called Nrithamandapam in January 2004
  • Performed in prestigious programmes such as Nrityanjali, Chidambaram, Tamilnadu, Swarnandhrapradesh, Hyderabad and Kalamandalam, Kerala

Ms Jyoti Unni | Odissi

Ms Jyoti Unni holds the `Sangeet Prabhakar` degree with distinction in Classical Odissi dance from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad. She also holds a Masters Degree in Agricultural Marketing Management.

Notable achievements –
  • Since her Manchapravesh (debut stage performance) in 1987, Ms Jyoti Unni has performed at several prestigious functions and events apart from giving lecture demonstrations in India and Singapore
  • An exponent of Guru Deba Prasad Das style of Odissi, Ms Jyoti Unni has continued under the able tutelage of renowned artiste of this style Smt Sangeeta Dash

Ms Irene Manual | Kathak

Ms Irene Manual is specialised in Kathak and is a professional dance teacher accredited by the Commonwealth Society of Teacher of Dancing, Educational Section (Australia). She also holds certificates for the Basic Level, Elementary Level and for the Grade Primary Honour Plus (Jazz Branch)

Notable achievements –
  • Ms Irene learnt Kathak from Ms Prabha Rao, Ms Vinod Suri, Ms Deepanjali Bedi, Ms Uma Bhattacharya, Pt. Charan Giridhar Chand and Mr Raghav Rao Bhatt.
  • She has also learnt Bharatanatyam under the tutelage of eminent teachers like Mrs Vijayalakshmi Krishnaswamy, Ms Uma Rao, Ms Shanta Ponnudurai, Mr Raajkumar, Mr Deepak Venkatesh, Mrs Sitaravamma Sundrasegaran and Mr V Balagurunathan.
  • Participated as a student in major art festivals like Singapore Festival of Arts, Festival of Dance and the Festival of ASEAN Performing Arts

Ms Mary Jenifer Peter | Contemporary Dance

Ms Jenifer Peter holds several qualifications in folk dance and classical dance from renowned teachers, Mrs Honarin Peter and Mr Surendrannath from Kalamandalam.

Notable achievements –
  • Ms Jenifer has participated in several stage performances in India, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

Mr Lazar TS | Indian Keyboard

Mr Lazar holds a Diploma in Music, Ganabhooshanam and Postgraduate Diploma in Music, Ganapraveena, 1991.

Notable achievements –
  • Secured the First rank state-wide in Violin in Kerala, India, 1988
  • A Graded artist in All India Radio and Doordarsan
  • Played with world's famous symphony orchestras like Vladimir Orchestra (Moscow), Hanoi Symphony Orchestra (Hue, Vietnam) and has given performances in prestigious events like Singapore Art Festival, Soorya Festival (India), Festival International Cervantino (Mexico), and International Conference of Composers in Hue (Vietnam).
  • Part of Singapore Indian Orchestra and Choir

Mr Sarfraz Ahmed | Tabla

Ustad Sarfraz began his musical training with his father Ustad Fazal Ahmed Khan, a well-known Tabla artiste of the Delhi Gharana at the age of seven. Later, he continued his education in Tabla under Ustad Saleem Ahmad and then with the late Ustad Fayyaz Khan. He also has trained under Ustad Nizammuddin Khan of Bombay and the late Ustad Ramzan Khan of the Azrara Gharana.

Notable achievements –
  • Received the Sangeet Prabhakar certificate in 1978
  • A 'B High' graded Tabla player with All India Radio and Television in New Delhi, India
  • Lent rhythm to well-known Sarod player, Ustad Musharat Ali Khan
  • Has a strong teaching experience behind him. For three years, from 1995 to1998, he was attached to the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in New Delhi.

Mr T R Vijayakumar | Violin

Mr Vijaykumar has completed B.Sc. and B.A. (Indian Music), University of Madras. He passed IV Grade in Violin Western Music, from the Trinity College of Music, London

Notable achievements –
  • Passed 'B-High' Grade in Carnatic Music and Light Music from All India Radio
  • Mr Vijayakumar has been awarded Fellowship in Classical Music by the Government of India (1997 – 1999) for a project work, Thillanas
  • Participated as a violinist in the Orchestra of the 'Sunadha Pravagam' musical programme, composed and conducted by Shri Lalgudi Jayaraman and Shri Lalgudi GJR Krishnan under the Singapore Arts Festival 2004 at Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore in June 2004.
  • Participated as a Violinist in the Orchestral Music Group conducted by Shri Karaikudi R. Mani in the Akashanwani Sangeeth Sammelan 1999
  • Taught Violin at Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society for two years, in 2001 and 2002

Ms Sangita Singh | Hindi

Bachelor of Arts from Kanpur University (India); Bachelor of Education from Indira Gandhi University, New Delhi; Diploma in Computer Studies (Singapore); and Diploma in Accounting (Singapore)

Notable achievements –
  • Over eight years of teaching experience at Global Indian International School in Singapore
  • Worked as a Freelance Trainer in local and other international schools
  • Former editor of the Hindi Magazine at Hindi Centre, Singapore

Ms Sharon Wan | French

Bachelor of Business and Commerce; Bachelor of Computing

Notable achievements –
  • Ms Sharon is a French teacher from Mauritius. As a native speaker, Sharon studied French as a first language before furthering her studies in Australia.
  • Joined a French Tuition Centre as a full-time French Teacher, preparing individual students as well as classes for travelling purposes or different examinations including Diploma in French Studies (DELF)
  • Joined Global Indian International School, Queenstown Campus in Singapore where she has been teaching students of IB Diploma, IGCSE and CBSE curricula.

Ms Subhashini Balasubramaniam | Visual Arts

Ms Subhashini has a degree in Drawing & Painting from Stella Maris College, Madras University, India and also holds Masters in Contemporary Art from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore

Notable achievements –
  • Awarded a special award of 'Dedicated Practice' from the University of Huddersfield in recognition of her outstanding performance at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore
  • Won Metal Award from Fine Arts Department at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in 2009 and NAFA Merit Award in 2006
  • Teaches and conducts workshops on Indian Art at Temple of Fine Arts, Singapore
  • Trained in classical Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam

S Vallikkannu | SIP Abacus and Brain Exercise

Ms Vallikkannu pursued her post graduation in English Literature from Madras University. She has undergone training with SIP Academy to conduct Abacus and Brain Exercise classes.

Suman Bhadani | SIP Abacus and Brain Exercise

Ms Bhadani completed her B.Sc. Engineering in Electrical Engineering. She underwent training with SIP Academy to conduct Abacus and Brain Exercise classes, and has been conducting the SIP Junior Programme for pre-school children since May 2013.

Mr Munish Arora | Cricket

Mr Munish Arora is a First Class Indian cricketer and former Singapore national team captain (2010). He is the only Singaporean player to be ranked 12th amongst the Associates World Countries. With a batting average of 50.18, he holds the best batting average in the International Cricket Council world cricket league.

He has played for Indian States of Punjab and West Bengal in Indian first class cricket and has also captained Indian batting star, Yuvraj Singh for the Chandigarh Cricket team in 1998. Mr Munish is one of Singapore's most successful batsmen in International Cricket Council. He has won the World Cricket League and Asian Cricket Council trophy. During his tenure, Mr Munish has played high grade cricket in India, England, UAE, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, USA, Bermuda, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Papa New Guinea. He has also played against international cricket teams like Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

Mr Rajendra Dhaka | Basketball

Bachelors in Physical Education, Masters in Physical Education

Mr Rajendra has specialised in basketball NCAP Level 1 from the Singapore Sports Council. Under his meticulous guidance, GICC has won several basketball tournaments since 2011.

Master Albert Ong (TaeKwon-Do Federation) | TaeKwonDo

Master Albert Ong started training Taekwondo at the age of twelve at Taekwondo-Do Academy, Singapore. With his passion for Taekwondo under founder, Grandmaster BS Huan as his close guardian, Master Albert holds a 4th Dan Black Belt and is a certified People's Association Instructor.  He is presently is an assistant to Grandmaster B S Huan. Master Albert has been the Taekwondo Instructor for Global Indian International School since 2005, with some students now holding a Black Belt.

Complete Sports Solution | Tennis

Training in Tennis is provided by experienced coaches from Complete Sports Solutions, Singapore.

GICC East Coast

Ms Rakhi Chatterjee | Hindustani Vocal

M.A Folk Music, University of Rabindra Bharati, Kolkata; B.A (Special) in Indian Classical (Hindustani); Diploma in Hindustani Classical Music, Prayag Sangit Samiti, Allahabad

Ms Rakhi Chatterjee is a veteran music composer and a vocalist who has been with GICC since 2006. As a music teacher at the Sangeet Darbar Institution and also at the Sangeetam Music Academy in Kolkata, Ms Chatterjee has made a remarkable journey in the field of music. She has achieved a number of accolades which include the "Sangeet Bivakar" Award from 'Bangiya Sangeet Parishad' in 1994 for her excellence in the field of music.

Ms Chatterjee is also a composer and her musical compositions of Rabindranath Tagore's poetry have earned many cultural shows, not just in Calcutta Television, but also overseas in Europe, the United States and Oceania countries. In Singapore, Ms Chatterjee has played a key role in the Singapore Concert where she worked with various local schools of Singapore and composed music for them.

Mr Nawaz Mirajkar | Tabla

Tabla Visharad (First Class), Akhil Bharathiya Ghandrva Maha Vidyalaya Mandal

Nawaz Mirajkar's passion for percussion and commitment to raising its awareness is highlighted by his outstanding feat of carrying out a non-stop drumming marathon for over 27 hours. This feat performed at Kolam Ayer Community Club, Singapore in 2001 earned him an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Nawaz Mirajkar received the Young Artist award from National Arts Council, Singapore in 2011, conferred to artists aged 35 years and below, who have shown promise of artistic excellence. In 1988, he was also awarded a scholarship by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, India, under the Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme by the Government of India.

S. Rajeswari | Bharatanatyam

BPA (Bachelor College of Performing Arts) from University of Pondicherry, India

Ms Rajeswari started learning Bharatanatyam at an early age from Smt. Jayashri Narayanan, a renowned Bharathanatyam dancer and a direct disciple of Smt. Rukmini Devi, Retd Principal of Bharathiar Palkalai Koodam and Director of Salangai Cultural Academy, Pondicherry. Ms Rajeswari has also been proficient in the art of Mohini Attam.

Ms Rajeswari has done many solo cultural performances all over India. She has performed on special invitation in Delhi, Lucknow, Chidambaram Natyanjali (Cultural programme) and also at the prestigious Chidambaram Natyanjali programme in 1992.

Ms Julia Li | Keyboard

Ms Julia Li started playing piano at a very young age. After receiving her Grade 8 in the Associated Boards of the Royal School of Music, she attended LASALLE College of Arts, Singapore to pursue her Degree in Music. She has been teaching since 2005 and has a passion to educate children in learning music. She currently plays the piano and keyboards in church, Immanuel Assembly of God and does training and arranging.

Ms Punam Tripathi | Hindi for Beginners

Punam Tripathi secured her Post graduate in Hindi from Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi, India and has over 10 years of experience in teaching Hindi.

Dr Priya Kamath | Balvihar

Dr Priya is a well-known homeopathy doctor in Singapore. She genuinely believes in inculcating good values in children at an early age and is a leading volunteer with Chinamya Mission in Singapore. She conducts Balvihar classes at many places in Singapore and holds different activities related with to course of Balvihar.

Mr Munish Arora | Cricket

Mr Munish Arora is a First Class Indian cricketer and former Singapore national team captain (2010). He is the only Singaporean player to be ranked 12th amongst the Associates World Countries. With a batting average of 50.18, he holds the best batting average in the International Cricket Council world cricket league.

He has played for Indian States of Punjab and West Bengal in Indian first class cricket and has also captained Indian batting star, Yuvraj Singh for the Chandigarh Cricket team in 1998. Mr Munish is one of Singapore's most successful batsmen in International Cricket Council. He has won the World Cricket League and Asian Cricket Council trophy. During his tenure, Mr Munish has played high grade cricket in India, England, UAE, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, USA, Bermuda, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Papa New Guinea. He has also played against international cricket teams like Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

Mr Jerald Jeganathan | Tennis and Badminton

Mr Jerald is a skilled athlete and GICC students have won a series of international tennis tournaments under his guidance from 2009 to 2013. He has completed his Level 3 Tennis coaching in theory under the Singapore sports Council (2008). Ha has also completed PTR coaching certificate under Professional Tennis Registry (2009) and has over 12 years of experience in Tennis coaching and training.

Mr Rajendra Dhaka | Basketball

Bachelors in Physical Education, Masters in Physical Education

Mr Rajendra has specialised in basketball NCAP Level 1 from the Singapore Sports Council. Under his meticulous guidance, GICC has won several basketball tournaments since 2011.

Farhan Farook | Soccer

Mr Farhan is a professionally trained soccer player and has represented the Singapore team in 2010. He holds a certificate from the IOC FIFA Football Coaching Academy and has also undertaken the SSC Basic Exercise Course.

Mr Farhan was trained at the First Kick academy (2010-2012), the International Soccer Academy (2011) and the Assumption Secondary School (2010). He also received the AFC C Coaching License and under his training the GICC team has won a series of tournaments in soccer since 2011.