Dr. Rajnandini’s story is not just of a singer, but of a seeker — a woman who has chosen depth over speed, devotion over ambition, and soul over spotlight.
Dr. Rajnandini
Dr. Rajnandini is an accomplished Indian Classical singer, composer, and performer, dedicated to preserving and sharing the profound beauty of Indian music and spirituality. Trained in the rich traditions of Hindustani classical music, her art blends devotion, philosophy, and depth of emotion. Through her soulful performances, she creates a bridge between Indian heritage and contemporary sensibilities, touching hearts across cultures. Based in Spain, she has been actively promoting Indian classical music through concerts, workshops, and cultural collaborations across Europe. Her performances are known for their meditative quality, where music becomes a path to inner silence and self-awareness. Beyond singing, Dr. Rajnandini is also a poet and philosopher, exploring themes of love, devotion, and consciousness. Her presence on stage radiates grace, sincerity, and spiritual depth, making her an inspiring voice in today’s global artistic landscape.
In the vibrant world of Indian classical music, few voices resonate as profoundly as that of Rajnandini — a gifted vocalist, performer, scholar, and co-founder of Satvic Day in Barcelona, Spain. Known for her meditative voice and spiritually infused performances, Rajnandini has emerged as an inspiring figure who bridges continents through the universal language of music. Her journey is a testament to discipline, devotion, and an unflinching pursuit of beauty — both sonic and spiritual.
Early Roots: A Childhood Immersed in Melody
Born on 10 October 1986 in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, Rajnandini grew up in a family steeped in music and literature. Her mother, her first guru, guided her musical journey, while her maternal grandfather’s soulful Sufi singing and her father’s poetic sensibilities shaped her artistic worldview. Surrounded by songbirds and soulful lullabies, she found herself mimicking their sounds even before she could articulate words. In her childhood, she began her formal training with Guru Smt. Pushplata Chaturvedi, in the rich guru–shishya parampara tradition. “She sowed the seed of music in me,” Rajnandini recalls, “and taught me the depth and discipline of classical music.”
Scholar and Seeker
While many view music as an art, Dr. Rajnandini embraced it as an academic and spiritual discipline. She pursued her B.A. in Music and Literature from Rohilkhand University in Bareilly, where she graduated at the top of her class. Determined to deepen her understanding, she moved to Delhi to earn her M.A. and M.Phil in Hindustani classical music from the faculty of fine arts and music, University of Delhi. Her M.Phil research under the mentorship of the renowned musicologist Padma Bhushan Proff Sushil Kumar Saxena explored “Conception of the Moods of Raagas,” delving into the emotional architecture of Indian music. Prof. Sushil Kumar Saxena is popularly known for his extensive work on Indian music, philosophy and aesthetics, including books such as Hindustan Music and Aesthetics Today and Art and Philosophy: Seven Aestheticians.
Later, she completed her PhD from the same university. Along the way, she was awarded the prestigious University Grants Commission National Talent Search Fellowship and published her work in leading journals like Vageeshwari, Naad Nartan, etc. “Education didn’t just give me degrees,” she says. “It gave me a deeper lens to see music as a philosophy, as a way of life.”
Music as a Spiritual Compass
For Dr. Rajnandini, music has never been about fame or accolades. “Music is not about achieving something,” she reflects. “It is about enjoying the path of understanding this world more deeply. Music is beyond pride; it’s about surrender.” Her approach embodies the ancient Indian view of music as a form of sadhana (spiritual practice). She believes sound can be a powerful tool for inner healing: “Music connects us to our true essence. In this materialistic world, it can help us slow down and rediscover meaning.”
Guided by Masters
Dr. Rajnandini’s musical lineage is rich with legendary names. After her formative years with Dr Pushplata Chaturvedi, she studied Kathak and thumri compositions with the late Pandit Birju Maharaj (a renowned Kathak Maestro) gaining rare insights into the interplay of rhythm, melody, and movement. Pandit Birju Maharaj is a legendary master of Kathak of the Lucknow or Kalka‑Bindadin gharana, celebrated for his expressive abhinaya (expression), intricate footwork (tatkar), expansive choreographies, and integrating vocal music and rhythm deeply into Kathak.
She also learned from Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan, a leading vocalist of the Delhi (Dilli) Gharana, and served as its Khalifa, carrying forward the tradition with a repertoire spanning khyal, thumri, tappa, etc. Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan honed her skills in khayal, thumri, ghazal, and sufi styles.
Today, she continues her advanced training under Vidushi Dr. Uma Garg, a Kirana Gharana vocalist and scholar, trained in khayal, thumri, and dadra, and has received awards like the Pt. Nikhil Banerjee Award and Shobhana Award. She served as a professor at Delhi University and is known for her acclaimed research work Sangeet ka Saundarya Bodh.
“She has the same warmth and care I felt with my first guru,” Dr. Rajnandini shares. “My gurus are oceans of knowledge; they have been guiding lights on my creative path.” A Global Voice Rooted in Tradition Dr. Rajnandini has performed extensively across India, Rome and Europe, enchanting audiences with her deeply emotive renditions of ragas, bhajans, and thumris. Among her many concerts, a performance in Andorra organized by the Embassy of India stands out as a cherished memory. “Every performance is special because it’s an opportunity to connect with new hearts,” she says. Recently, she performed in Milan Soul Festival, Italy organised by the Embassy of India in Italy.
Her voice — often described as meditative and transformative — seems to dissolve the boundaries between the performer and the listener. Whether on stage or in intimate lecture-demonstrations, Dr. Rajnandini strives to offer not just music, but an experience of inner stillness.
Satvic Day: Weaving Yoga, Ayurveda, and Music Beyond the stage, Dr. Rajnandini is the co-founder of Satvic Day, a holistic wellness centre in Barcelona that integrates yoga, Ayurveda, and music. Co-run with her husband, who has taught Ayurveda and yoga in Spain for over 25 years, the centre has become a cultural bridge — a “mini India” in Europe. “The essence of our centre is rooted in Indian culture,” she explains. “We wanted to offer something beyond physical health— a place where people can heal, learn, and reconnect with their inner selves.” Despite early language barriers, her sincerity and the existing trust her husband had built with the local community helped the centre flourish. Today, it welcomes people of all nationalities seeking balance and wellness.
A Life of Grace and Grit
Behind her serene presence is a network of support — her parents who nurtured her dreams, and her husband who ensures she has time for daily riyaz and yoga. “He’s happiest when he sees me practicing,” she smiles. His disciplined lifestyle, she adds, inspires her own balanced approach to health and creativity. Though she describes herself as an introvert, Rajnandini’s music speaks volumes. She continues to mentor aspiring students in Barcelona, gently urging them to “be honest with the music and surrender to your guru.”
An Inspiration Beyond Borders
Dr. Rajnandini’s story is not just of a singer, but of a seeker — a woman who has chosen depth over speed, devotion over ambition, and soul over spotlight. From Ayodhya to Barcelona, her journey illustrates how art rooted in tradition can transcend geography and language. As her mellifluous voice continues to travel across continents, Dr. Rajnandini stands as a beacon for anyone who dares to live from the heart — proving that true music is not about applause, but awakening.
