Biography

Dr Swarna Khuntia is a professional violinist based out of the spiritual capital of India, Varanasi. She is an Indian classical musician who is specialized in the ‘gayaki ang’ of violin-playing and known for soulful renditions of alap, fluidity and super control over the notes, and ragadari. Hailing from a music family in Cuttack, Odisha, her father, Pt Harmohan Khuntia, is a famous tabla and pakhaawaj player, and a retired Grade-A artist from AIR Cuttack. She got into playing the violin lately during her years of graduation in Chemistry from Stewart Science College, Cuttack. She began her Expected journey in music in the year 1987 and took up training under Shri Prafulla Kr Ray. After her graduation in Chemistry, she pursued a bachelor’s degree course in music, in Department of Instrumental Music, Faculty of Performing Arts, Banaras Hindu University in the year 1990. She attained the degree in 1993 with first division and a gold medal and then moved on to Masters in Music, which she completed in 1995 with first division and a distinction. Swarna decided to study more and she completed her degree in Doctor of Music (D. Mus) in the year 1997. Swarna has mastered the gayaki ang playing-style, left-hand fingering, and the right-hand bowing techniques in the Guru-Shishya Parampara (Mentor-disciple lineage). She is also a B-High Grade artist and performs regularly in AIR Cuttack and Doordarshan (Bhubaneswar). Awards and Recognition: Received Junior Research Fellowship from Ministry of Culture, Govt of India (2000) Received Orissa Sangeet Natak Academy Fellowship for higher study in music (1995) Received National Cultural Scholarship to young talent, Ministry of Culture and HRD, Govt of India (1993) Received BHU Gold Medal (2003) for outstanding performance in B. Music, Banaras Hindu University ‘Surmani’ title from Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai (2006) ‘Kalashree’ title from National Music and Dance Festival in Jharial Mahotsav, Odisha (2008) Received National Sangeet Shiromani Award (2012) from International Dance and Music Festival, 3rd Cuttack Mahotsav Swarna has been currently working as a Sr Assistant Professor in Violin in Department of Instrumental Music, Faculty of Performing Arts, Banaras Hindu University since 2006. She has, in past, worked as a Lecturer in Violin at Indira Kala Sangeet University, Khairagarh, Chhattisgarh. Performances: ICCR Horizon Series on July 26, 2014, Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad Performed in ShaktiNaad, 9 March 2014, New Delhi World Music Festival ‘2EME Festival Violons Chants Du Monde’ (29 May to 2 June 2013), Calais, France Acharya Smriti Sangeet Samaroah, FPA, BHU (Jan 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011) Rajarani Music Festival, Bhubaneswar (2011) Salt Lake Music Festival, Kolkata (1996, 2000, 2003) ITC SRA Baithak, Kolkata (1996) Konark Music and Dance Festival, Konark (1996) Sankat Mochan Sangeet Sammelan, Varanasi (1996) Uttaradhikar Music Festival, Ustad Allauddin Khan Sangeet Academi, Bhopal (1999) NCPA Music Festival, Mumbai (1998) Kal-Ke-Kalakar Music Festival, Swami Haridas Sangeet Sammelan, Mumbai (1997) Swar Sadhana Samitee, Mumbai (1998) Shakuntala Sangeet Festival, Vashi, Mumbai (2002) Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Teacher’s Convention, Nasik (2002) Sankalp and Saptak Festival, Ahmedabad (2003, 2011) International BHU Alumni Meet, Varanasi (2007) Sankalp Sangeet Samaroah, Raipur (2002)