20+ Years of Hindustani Classical Training – Bansuri & Vocal Lessons Rooted in Gayaki Ang—welcoming all levels to develop through personalised training

Find out more about Vicky

• 1) When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I developed my interest in Hindustani Classical Music at a very young age. What began as curiosity gradually became discipline, and discipline slowly became devotion. Through years of structured training in Bansuri and vocal music under the traditional Guru-Shishya system, I realised that classical music is not just performance — it is character building.
  
  Private tutoring began organically. After performances and advanced training, students and parents started approaching me for guidance. I discovered that teaching gives me a different kind of fulfilment — watching a student progress from producing their first clear note to confidently exploring a raga independently is deeply rewarding.
  
  For me, teaching is not separate from learning — it is an extension of it.

• 2) Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  2) Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).
  I teach Hindustani Classical Music with a strong foundation in Gayaki Ang — the vocal style approach — applied to both Bansuri and vocal training.
  
  In lessons, we explore:
  
  Raga structure and development (Alaap, Bol Aalap, Taans)
  
  Breath control and tone production
  
  Layakari (rhythmic intelligence)
  
  Improvisation and creative confidence
  
  Emotional interpretation of ragas
  
  Voice culture and vocal health
  
  Stage confidence and musical presence
  
  I especially enjoy helping students understand the psychology of a raga — why certain phrases evoke specific emotions and how subtle microtonal shifts shape expression.
  
  What I encourage students to move beyond is mechanical memorisation. Technique is important, but true music begins when understanding replaces imitation.

• 3) Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  Yes — my Guru remains my greatest influence. Beyond technique, I learned discipline, humility, and respect for tradition.
  
  I have also been deeply inspired by Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, whose Gayaki Ang approach transformed the expressive possibilities of the Bansuri, and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, whose emotional depth showed how surrender to music creates transcendence.
  
  From them, I learned that music is not about speed or complexity — it is about sincerity and emotional truth.

• 4) What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  A good tutor must combine expertise with empathy.
  
  Key qualities include:
  
  Patience and clarity
  
  Strong technical foundation
  
  Adaptability to different learning speeds
  
  Encouragement without pressure
  
  The ability to inspire discipline
  
  Active listening
  
  Most importantly, a tutor must recognise that every student has a unique musical personality. The role of a teacher is not to create copies, but to guide individuals toward their own authentic sound.

• 5) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  During my early training, I once struggled for months to stabilise a single long note (Sa) on the Bansuri. I was eager to learn fast taans and impressive passages, but my Guru insisted I master breath stability first.
  
  He told me: “If your Sa is unstable, your music has no home.”
  
  At the time, it felt slow and frustrating. Years later, I understand that this foundation shaped everything. When my students become impatient, I share this story — and when they finally produce a perfectly steady note, the transformation in their confidence is beautiful to witness.

• 6) What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  One ongoing challenge is balancing tradition with modern expectations. In today’s fast-paced world, many learners expect quick results. Classical music, however, demands patience and consistent Riyaz.
  
  Another challenge is maintaining vocal stamina and breath endurance — this requires continuous refinement and self-discipline.
  
  Even after 20+ years of training, I still consider myself a lifelong student. Every raga reveals new dimensions over time. The learning never truly ends — and that keeps the art alive.

• 7) Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  My deepest passion is transformation through sound.
  
  Teaching is the medium — but what truly motivates me is helping students discover their own musical identity. Whether someone wants to pursue classical depth, semi-classical versatility, or simply learn for personal enrichment, I guide them with structured progression and creative freedom.
  
  I am also deeply interested in the meditative and scientific aspects of sound — how vibration influences emotion, focus, and even mental clarity.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof?

  What makes me a Superprof is commitment, structure, and authenticity.
  
  20+ years of disciplined classical training
  
  Strong Gayaki Ang foundation for expressive development
  
  Personalised lesson plans tailored to each student
  
  Clear technical progression from beginner to advanced
  
  Focus on both artistry and discipline
  
  International online teaching experience
  
  I don’t simply teach compositions — I mentor musicians.
  
  My aim is that every student I work with develops not just skill, but sensitivity, confidence, and independence in music.