Bringing the classical traditions of South India to life through melody and rhythm
Contact MeA journey through tradition, innovation, and service in Carnatic music
Guru Srimathi Kalyani Mudumba was born and raised in Nalgonda, Telangana, in a family steeped in rich musical tradition. Her grandfather and his brothers, renowned as the Sapta Swaras and the Burugadda Brothers, were celebrated figures in the Carnatic music community.
Inspired by this lineage, Kalyani began her musical journey at the tender age of three under the disciplined guidance of her grandfather and first guru, Sri Mudumba Lakshmana Charyulu Garu. She later continued her training with her father, Sri Mudumba Singara Charyulu Garu, and subsequently with Guru Smt. Mythraeyee Mukundan Garu in the United States.
Now based in Bloomington, Illinois, Guru Kalyani continues her multifaceted contributions as a recording artist, certified creative writer, and author of two published books. Through her work as a teacher, performer, and cultural ambassador, she remains committed to honoring the traditions of Carnatic music while inspiring a new generation of learners around the world.
On October 8, 2022, Guru Srimathi Kalyani Mudumba, founder of the Kalyani School of Music, made history by organizing and leading the Ashtotthara Shatha Sankeerthana Archana, a grand Carnatic music fundraiser concert at the Hindu Temple of Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. The event featured 27 participants from two continents, India and the USA, who rendered 108 Carnatic classical compositions by over 30 composers in six languages over the course of 10 hours, both in-person and virtually via YouTube livestream. Participants were grouped according to the seven swaras, and after each performance, a lotus flower was strung, culminating in a garland of 108 lotus flowers offered to the Lord. This spiritually enriching and culturally significant event raised over $6,000 to support the temple's post-pandemic operations. The concert earned two prestigious world records, recognized by both the Asia Book of Records and the India Book of Records, for the "Maximum Participants Singing Carnatic Classical Songs in Different Languages", making Kalyani the first and only Carnatic musician to achieve this dual recognition. Her efforts were further acknowledged internationally, with Vietnam, Indonesia, Nepal, and 18 other countries officially approving the record under the International Protocol for New Records (IPNR). On July 10, 2023, Kalyani was felicitated in Hyderabad, Telangana at Sugunakar Rao Bhavan by Mr. Rammohan Reddy, the adjudicator for the Asia and India Book of Records, who honored her with medals and certificates in front of a large audience and media presence. Esteemed dignitaries and local state ministers graced the occasion, celebrating her cultural contribution. Further adding to this recognition, on September 24, 2023, the Mayors of Bloomington and Normal jointly awarded certificates to all the students who participated in the event, acknowledging their role in this historic accomplishment. Through this milestone, Kalyani demonstrated that setting a world record doesn't require grandiose or extreme feats, but rather a dedication to promoting culture and preserving heritage, especially through divine South Indian Carnatic classical music, which embodies peace, compassion, and spiritual unity, enriching communities around the world.
Sanjeevani, an evening filled with the divine sounds of Carnatic classical music, was more than a concert—it was a heartfelt movement for global healing, compassion, and connection. Organized by the Kalyani School of Music, the event showcased how Carnatic music, traditionally rooted in temples and homes, could transcend boundaries to become a universal language of healing. Every raga and composition was thoughtfully selected for its therapeutic power, intended to calm minds, uplift spirits, and reach out to those suffering—especially children battling life-threatening illnesses. The program was delivered with maturity, emotion, and a deep reverence for the sacredness of the art form and the cause, reflecting the mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the chosen beneficiary. At the Kalyani School of Music, students regularly work with neurodiverse children, using music as a tool for therapy and transformation, aligning perfectly with St. Jude's mission of providing treatment, hope, and healing. Though founder Kalyani Mudumba could not attend due to illness, the school was represented by students Kimshita and Anisha Amaravadi, who conveyed the vision with grace and conviction. The concert featured five performance groups, each symbolically named after Hanuman's legendary roles in the Ramayana: Rama Bantu (Rama's loyal servant), Rama Bhaktha (Hanuman's devotion), Rama Dandu (Rama's army), Rama Sethu (the bridge to Lanka), and Rama Dhootha (Rama's messenger). These group names honored Hanuman's selflessness and service, mirroring the spirit behind Sanjeevani, a name inspired by the story of Hanuman lifting an entire mountain when he couldn't find the healing herb, a metaphor for going to any lengths to save lives and bring healing. The concert's impact resonated not just within the venue but across continents, reminding us that music, when guided by purpose, can become a powerful force for compassion, healing, and hope. All proceeds were donated to St. Jude, making every note sung a step closer to comforting and supporting families facing unimaginable challenges.
On December 16, 2023, esteemed Carnatic vocalist and educator Smt. Kalyani Mudumba presented a distinguished concert titled "Sundara Setu" at the Quad City Hindu Temple in Rock Island, Illinois, USA. This 90-minute Carnatic classical recital served as a fundraiser in support of the "Statue of Union," a 90-foot Panchaloha idol of Lord Hanuman currently under construction at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Houston, Texas. Conceived by His Holiness Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, the statue will stand as the tallest of its kind in North America and the fourth tallest Hanuman statue in the United States. The concert was designed with symbolic intent, its 90-minute duration mirroring the 90-foot height of the statue, thereby reinforcing the spiritual and cultural significance of the initiative. In recognition of its impact, the performance earned world records from both the Asia Book of Records and the India Book of Records under the title: "Carnatic concert to raise funds for the tallest statue of Lord Hanuman outside India." Further honoring this achievement, His Holiness Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji personally presented the world record certificates to Smt. Kalyani Mudumba at the inauguration of the Statue of Union at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Houston, underscoring the spiritual importance and global resonance of her contribution. Smt. Kalyani Mudumba's efforts through "Sundara Setu" exemplified the power of classical music as a medium for devotional expression, cultural advocacy, and community service. The event not only celebrated the rich traditions of Carnatic music but also advanced a noble cause, uniting devotees and music enthusiasts in a shared vision of spiritual elevation and collective purpose.
On March 10th, 2025, the City of Bloomington, Illinois, officially honored Kalyani Mudumba with a proclamation acknowledging her remarkable achievements in Carnatic music and her significant contributions to cultural enrichment and community service. The proclamation, issued by Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe, celebrates Kalyani's four world records in Carnatic music, recognized by the Asia Book of Records and the India Book of Records. These records were achieved through events such as the Ashtotthara Shatha Sankeerthana Archana and Sundara Setu, both of which served as fundraisers for meaningful causes, including the Hindu Temple of Bloomington-Normal and the Statue of Unity. As the founder of the Kalyani School of Music, Kalyani has led numerous philanthropic initiatives, including the Sanjeevani concert for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, support for Netra Vidyalaya, and various animal welfare efforts. The proclamation commends her for utilizing Carnatic music as a means of promoting unity, mindfulness, and intercultural exchange, and for enhancing cultural inclusivity in Bloomington through education, compassion, and community-building.
In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Smt. Kalyani Mudumba organized a unique virtual fundraiser titled "Sangeeta Yagna" to support Netra Vidyalaya, a school for the visually challenged in India. Demonstrating her unwavering commitment to service through music, Kalyani took the initiative to train a group of volunteer students, many of whom were not part of her regular music school, in Carnatic kritis over two months via online sessions. The culminating event celebrated their efforts and dedication and successfully raised $1,600 to aid the school's initiatives. "Sangeeta Yagna" stood as a testament to how music, even amid a global crisis, could serve as a tool for empowerment, inclusion, and compassion.
In 2023, Smt. Kalyani Mudumba was honored with the "Vishishta Mahila Puraskaram" by the Sri Vaishnava Seva Sangam in recognition of her remarkable achievements in the field of Carnatic music. This prestigious award was presented to acknowledge her world record-setting performances, her outstanding efforts to globalize Carnatic music, and the significant social impact she has created through her numerous fundraising events. Through her innovative and purpose-driven approach, Kalyani has used the classical tradition not only as a form of cultural preservation but also as a powerful tool for service, bringing Carnatic music to global audiences while supporting meaningful causes across communities.
While Carnatic music concerts are traditionally performed during festivals and religious celebrations, Smt. Kalyani Mudumba believes that this sacred art form holds the potential to extend far beyond ceremonial occasions, as a powerful vehicle for service and compassion. Guided by this belief, she has redefined the purpose of performance by organizing at least one fundraising concert each year, ensuring that Carnatic music continually contributes to a meaningful cause. Her vision enables this classical tradition to permeate more widely across the world, connecting with diverse audiences and communities through acts of goodwill. Over the years, her initiatives have supported visually challenged schools such as Netra Vidyalaya, animal welfare programs, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and other impactful missions, reaffirming her commitment to using music as a tool for healing, outreach, and global connection.
Honored for remarkable achievements in Carnatic music, world record-setting performances, and significant social impact through numerous fundraising events.
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