World’s First Female Vichitra Veena Player Author of First-of-its-Kind Books on Indian Veenas Creator of a Compact / Smaller Vichitra Veena Pedagogy Innovator | Founder, Veena Venu Art Foundation & International Vichitra Veena Council
Dr. Radhika Veenasadhika is the world’s first lady Vichitra Veena player and a leading force in the revival of this rare Indian classical instrument. She is the Founder-Director of Veena Venu Art Foundation and the Founder-Director of the International Vichitra Veena Council. A performer, researcher, author,Music Therapist , Healer , Gemologist and pedagogue, her work bridges tradition, innovation, and cultural preservation. Rooted in the renowned Gwalior musical legacy, she carries forward a powerful lineage of scholarship and artistry. She has contributed to making the Vichitra Veena more accessible for future learners through innovation and education.
Trained 1000+ students in Vichitra Veena and several thousand more across Indian classical music, other Veenas, and vocal traditions | Reached 2.21 million through Veena Yug Anant
HIGHLIGHTS
GLOBAL INITIATIVES, OBSERVANCES & CULTURAL VISION
Dr. Radhika Veenasadhika’s work extends beyond performance into a larger cultural vision for the Vichitra Veena, Indian Veenas, Indian instruments, and Indian classical music. Through international observances, mission-led initiatives, institutional platforms, healing-oriented practice, and creative pedagogy, she is working to strengthen their visibility, continuity, and renewed place in contemporary life. Through books, pedagogy, and creative learning formats on the Vichitra Veena, Indian Veenas, and Indian classical music, she is also creating workbooks, comics, colouring books, games, cartoons, and other resources designed to spark interest, especially among children.
International Vichitra Veena Day & Week (19th November | 20th to 26th November) International observances initiated to strengthen the recognition, visibility, and public engagement of the Vichitra Veena.
Heritage & Instrument Observance Framework A broader observance-based initiative dedicated to Indian instruments, cultural memory, and heritage continuity.
Mission Veena Yug Anant A major mission led by Dr. Radhika to deepen awareness, pedagogy, preservation, and the Veena’s living place in contemporary cultural life.
Veena Naad Chikitsa A healing-oriented dimension of her work that explores the meditative, restorative, and transformative possibilities of classical resonance through the Veena.
MAJOR RECOGNITIONS & PUBLIC MILESTONES
Dr. Radhika Veenasadhika’s journey has been marked by major public milestones, significant recognitions, and performances on nationally and internationally recognised platforms, reflecting both artistic distinction and cultural leadership.
G20 Summit, New Delhi Performed before the President of India, the Prime Minister of India, and Heads of State and Government, including Presidents and Prime Ministers of several nations. Pinnacle of Achievement Award A major recognition reflecting artistic distinction, cultural contribution, and leadership. The Person of the Year International Award Conferred by the Gates and Custodian Foundation, U.K., in recognition of significant cultural impact. Performances on Nationally and Internationally Recognised Festivals and Platforms Presented on major stages associated with Indian classical music in India and abroad.
GURUS
Pt.Shriram Umdekar and Pt.Vishwamohan Bhatt
Dr. Radhika Veenasadhika’s musical journey has been shaped by a deeply respected guru-parampara rooted in discipline, refinement, and classical depth. She received her foundational and advanced talim from her father and guru, Pt. Shriram Umdekar, an accomplished Sitar and Rudra Veena artist, under whose guidance her training developed with seriousness, rigour, and artistic clarity. She is also a disciple of Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, whose towering presence in Indian classical music adds further distinction to her lineage. This inheritance of knowledge is not limited to performance alone; it lives equally in her teaching, vision, institutional work, and commitment to carrying the veena tradition forward with dignity and substance
