Sukanya Ramagopal

Sukanya Ramgopal, based in Bengaluru, is widely recognised as the first woman to establish a professional performing career on the ghatam in Carnatic music. She trained under the ghatam maestro T. H. (Vikku) Vinayakram, and is also proficient in Carnatic vocal music, violin, mridangam and veena. In 1995 she founded Stree Taal Tarang, an all-women percussion-led ensemble, and developed the 'Ghatataranga' concept using multiple tuned ghatams. Her honours include the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2014) for Carnatic instrumental music, along with recognition from the Madras Music Academy and the Karnataka Sangeetha Nritya Academy.