Dr. Swarna Khuntia

Dr. Swarna Khuntia, a renowned North Indian Classical  Violinist from India, A senior Disciple of World Renowned Violinist Padmabhushan Dr. Smt. N.Rajam. She is  now working as an Assistant Professor in Violin at the Department of Instrumental Music, Faculty of Performing Arts, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, U.P. Earlier she has worked as a Lecturer in violin at Indira Kala Sangeet University, Khairagarh, Chhattishgarh.

Written a book “Violin and Violinist in Indian Classical Music” Published by Akanksha Publication,New Delhi.

Dr.Swarna Khuntia was born in a family of musicians at Cuttack, Orissa. Her father, Pandit. Harmohan Khuntia is an outstanding Tabla & Odissi Pakhawaj exponent of Orissa, retired Staff Artist and a senior A- Grade of All India Radio, Cuttack. He is a disciple of Padma Vibhushan Pt. Gyanprakash Ghosh.

Professional Training

SWARNA has started her musical career in 1987 with her initial training in Violin from guru Sri. Prafulla Kumar Ray. After completing her Graduation in Chemistry she has joined Banaras Hindu University for B. Music course in 1990 where she got an opportunity to learn Violin under the guidance of world Famous Violinists Padmabhushan Dr.(Smt.) N. Rajam who is the pioneer of “GAYAKI ANG” Playing style on violin.completed her Bachelor in Music (1993) with 1st Division & Gold Medal and later she completed her Master in Music (1995) & Doctor of Music (1997) form Banaras Hindu University  under the able guidancship of Dr. N. Rajam.

Scholarships & Fellowships

She has received several fellowships including Junior Research Fellowship in 2000 and National Cultural Scholarship in 1993 from M/o Human Resources Development, Govt. of India, and Fellowship in 1995 from Orissa Sangeet Natak Academi  and worked on a Minor Research Project From University Grant Commission, Govt. Of India on the Topic "Relevance of Music Education In School Curriculum with Special Reference to Classical Instrumental  Music"

Important Public Performances:

Swarna is known for her depth in rendition of Alap, strict execution of Ragadari and Superb fluidity and control over the instrument and received wide appreciation all over the country and also Abroad.

She is a Graded Artist & a regular performer of All India Radio, Cuttack and Doordarshan, Bhubaneswar.

Recently she toured to Sangeethri, Phoenix, Arizona USA in Dec 2018, 

Sri Lanka in June 2017 and performed Solo Violin Concerts at ICCR, Colombo, University of Keleniya, Colombo and University of Visual and Performing Arts , Colombo and conducted several  Hindustani Classical Violin workshops at Colombo, Kandy, Kurunagale.

She has Visited a in Kathmandu, Nepal in January 2017 to Perform at Atul Smirti Gurukul, Kathmandu.

She has also visited Phoenix,Arizona, USA and gave successful concert at Sangitshri School of  Music in Dec 2015.

She has performed in the World Music Festival “2ÈME FESTIVAL VIOLONS CHANTS DU MONDE” held from 29th May to 2nd June 2013 at Calais, France.

As a Solo Violinist she has performed widely in almost all the major cities of India and in all major music festivals like

Shakti Naad -2014, New Delhi,

Rajarani Music Festival, Bhubaneswar;

Salt Lake Music Festival, Calcutta;

Konark Music and Dance Festival, Konark;

Shankat Mochan Sangeet Sammelan, Varanasi;

Utttaridhikar Music Festival, Ustad Allauddin Khan Sangeet Academi, Bhopal;

Kal-Ke–Kalakar Music Festival, Swami Haridas Sangeet Sammelan, Mumbai;

N.C.P.A Music Festival, Mumbai; Swar Sadhana Samitee, Mumbai;

Shankuntala Sangeet Festival, Vasi, Mumbai;

Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Teacher’s Convention, Nasik;

Sankalp &Saptak Festival, Ahemedabad; etc.,

International BHU Allumni Meet,Varanasi;

Sankalp Sangeet Samaroah, Raipur etc and received wide appreciation for the soulful performances all over.

Recently She was featured in the Saudha Art London (http://www.saudha.org/) as  featured artist.