Drdha Vrata Gorrick is a contemporary artist rooted in traditional Vedic arts, blending classical South Indian training with Western techniques. Born in the US, he spent over 15 years studying art and architecture in India, developing expertise in iconography, iconometry, painting, sculpture, and sacred design. His work seeks to elevate consciousness through devotional art, drawing inspiration from timeless temple traditions. Alongside creating commissioned works for homes and temples, he teaches through workshops and courses, sharing his knowledge and preserving traditional artistic wisdom. He also contributes as a guest instructor in Satsangam’s Vedic Threads program.

Vinay Srinivasan has studied Bharatanatyam under Smt. Hema and Krithika Rajagopalan for 24 years and completed his Arangetram in 2007. He performs as a soloist and with Natya Dance Theatre at major venues in the U.S. and India, including Chennai’s December Music Festival. Known for crisp nritta and expressive abhinaya, his Carnatic music training deepens his connection to performance. A studio artist and student of Dravidian symbolism, Vinay connects dance, music, art, and philosophy as part of his spiritual growth, while working as a UX Designer in the Bay Area.

Neha Tiwari is a language educator and scholar with a deep passion for linguistics, literature, and Indian knowledge systems. A graduate of IIT Kanpur, she has spent over a decade teaching languages such as Hindi, Urdu, Awadhi, Sanskrit, and Persian to a global audience. Her work bridges language learning with cultural and philosophical inquiry, reflecting her interest in both ancient and modern systems of knowledge. Through her teaching and continued studies, she fosters a nuanced understanding of language as a gateway to deeper intellectual and experiential exploration.

Laura Clarke Stelmok earned a BA from Bowdoin College and an MA in Acupuncture from the Worsley Institute and College of Traditional Acupuncture. In private practice since 1992, she studied with JR Worsley and later returned to Taoist medicine and the Songs of Creation. In 2012, at the request of Sufi teacher Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, she founded The Unseen Hand: Medicine from Antiquity, a nonprofit school preserving a living esoteric tradition of healing, mystical feminine wisdom, and teacher-to-student transmission.

Navneet Raman is a cultural preservationist and arts patron from a historic Varanasi family deeply rooted in India’s educational and cultural legacy. For over two decades, he has worked to sustain and evolve the city’s heritage through initiatives in art, education, and conservation. He is the founder of Kriti Gallery and Artist Residency, co-founder of the Banaras Cultural Foundation, and Creative Director of the Banaras Museum of Contemporary Art. His work bridges traditional crafts and contemporary art, supporting global exhibitions and artisans. Through educational programs and cultural collaborations, he continues to foster interdisciplinary learning and preserve Varanasi’s living heritage.

Dr. Shubham Kulkarni is an Ayurvedic doctor and music therapist specializing in end-of-life care and mental health. He serves as the Head of the Department of Gandharva Veda Music Therapy at Maharishi University in the Netherlands and is a fellow of Naad, Raag, Ras, and Consciousness rooted in Abhinavgupta’s philosophy. A trained classical vocalist and disciple of Pandit Shounak Abhisheki ji, his work integrates both clinical and philosophical research, focusing on areas such as insomnia, depression, pregnancy care, Shaivism, tantra, mental health, and end-of-life care, alongside extensive clinical practice and tutoring experience across more than six countries.

Nina Rao is a renowned kirtan singer and teacher whose journey began with learning devotional chants from her grandfather in South India. After reconnecting with chanting through Krishna Das in 1996, she became both his longtime collaborator and business manager. Her music, including albums like Antarayaami and Anubhav, reflects a deep commitment to bhakti and sacred sound. Based in New York, she leads kirtans, workshops, and retreats globally. Beyond music, she is the chairwoman of Saving Wild Tigers and hosts a podcast exploring spirituality, practice, and environmental conservation.

Shantala Sriramaiah is a dedicated teacher of Vedic chanting, carrying forward a living lineage of Sanskrit recitation from Karnataka, India. Inspired by her mother, who taught chanting for over 30 years, she developed an early and deep connection to Vedic traditions. Mentored by esteemed scholars including Sri M.S. Sreenivasan of the Challakere Brothers, she emphasizes precision, discipline, and authenticity in her teaching. Through her online platform and live classes, she shares Veda recitation with a global community. She also played a foundational advisory role in the early years of Satsangam, continuing as a valued guide and contributor.

Dr. Rishi Manivannan is an Ayurveda and Siddha practitioner rooted in a traditional vishavaidya lineage, with extensive training in both classical and esoteric Indian knowledge systems. Educated in Ayurveda (BAMS) and Chinese medicine (MD), he further studied under Siddha Yogi K.P. Arjunan in a gurukula setting, mastering disciplines such as Śaiva Tantra, Vāsi Yoga, Nāḍī Vidyā, Jyotiṣa, and Vāstu. Mentored by Padmashri P.R. Krishnakumar, he was initiated into Śrī Vidyā Tantra and the Aṣṭavaidya tradition. He now works toward establishing the “Garden of Peace,” integrating education, healing, and sustainability, while contributing to research bridging traditional medicine with modern science.

Dr. N Gopalakrishan, an award winning research scientist in plant biochemistry, and international presenter, is also an acclaimed scholar in Indian knowledge systems. He has created a National Heritage Center in Thrissur, Kerala, India. His area of special interest is the Vedas. He has authored more than 150 books on different areas of Indian Knowledge systems. He is a guest instructor on Satsangam’s Vedic Threads membership-based online course.

Dr Svoboda has been worshipping Shiva and meditating in cemeteries and cremation grounds for more than fifty years. He has personally cremated five people and has visited Benaras every year between 1984 & 2020. He is headed there again next month. He has also been intimately involved, as co-executor or something similar, with the estates of multiple people including his mentor, his mentor’s foster daughter and his parents.

Carolina Prada is a Colombian practitioner of Odissi, Mayurbhanj Chhau, and Kalaripayattu who has lived and trained in India since 2008. One of the few female soloists of her generation to professionally perform and teach both the male and female styles of Mayurbhanj Chhau under Guru Janmejoy Sai Babu, she has also studied Odissi under leading gurus of the Srijan tradition and trained in Kalaripayattu at Kalarigram. Her work bridges dance, martial practice, and spiritual discipline, and she has performed at major festivals in India and abroad while pioneering these traditions in Colombia through her company, OdissiYaatra.