The Indian Classical Music Circle of Austin (ICMCA) is Austin’s premier organization dedicated to promoting classical music, dance, and Indo-Jazz/Fusion events. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, founded in 1991, and proudly supported by the City of Austin Economic Development Department. Since 1991, ICMCA has brought world-class artists to Austin, enriching the city’s cultural tapestry and engaging diverse audiences through our concerts and festivals. Recently we were honored as one of only 36 organizations to receive the prestigious two-year Thrive Award (in 2023/24 as well as 2025/26) from the City of Austin, enabling us to expand our programming and increase musical awareness across all communities in Austin.
Contact ICMCA
By Phone: 512.895.9524
By Email: icmca.committee@gmail.com
Executive Committee Members
Prashant Manikal
President
Prashant Manikal has been a cornerstone of ICMCA’s mission since 2005, serving on the ICMCA Committee since 2006. A native of Mumbai, India, Prashant’s journey in Indian classical music began with tabla training under Pt Sadanand Naimpally during his childhood. Now based in Austin, he continues his passion as a disciple of tabla maestro Pandit Gourisankar at the School of Indian Percussion and Music (SIPM).
Prashant is deeply committed to bringing world-class classical music and cultural events to Austin, fostering a vibrant community and enriching the cultural landscape. Professionally, he works at Hewlett Packard Enterprise. An avid outdoorsman, Prashant’s other passions include mountaineering, cross-country skiing, and embracing all things nature.
Argha Guha
Secretary
Argha has been a dedicated ICMCA volunteer since 2022 and joins the Executive Committee in 2024. His passion for Indian classical music began at age 10 when he started learning tabla in India. Though his formal training paused after four years, his love for music remained unwavering.
In Kolkata, Argha regularly attended classical concerts during the winter season. After moving to the U.S. in 2018, he resumed tabla training under Guru Pt. Gourisankar at the School of Indian Percussion & Music (SIPM), further deepening his connection to Indian classical music. Professionally, Argha is a Senior Technology Architect at Accenture, based at the Austin Technology Center in Austin, TX.
Ravi Pothukuchy
Treasurer
Ravi has been associated with ICMCA, providing photographic coverage of the events during the past few years. Though not trained in any art form, he has been a connoisseur of several arts, particularly music, since his childhood. He has held various positions in organizations promoting art and culture since his student days. During his free time, he offers event and portrait photographic services in support of classical arts.
Tapasvini Paralkar
Executive Committee Member
Tapasvini Paralkar has been volunteering with ICMCA since 2023. She has been immersed in and has developed a deep appreciation for many forms of Indian classical arts from a young age. She has been trained in Bharatanatyam under the guidance of Gurus Smt. Revathi Ramachandran, Smt. Mythili Kumar, and Smt. Bana Shastri Ramanath, and continues to deepen her knowledge and appreciation of the arts by taking Carnatic vocal lessons with Gurus Vani Ramamurthi and Anirudh Bharadwaj. Tapasvini is currently a medical student, and is excited to find new ways to integrate her love of the arts with her pursuits in medicine.
Subir Mukherjee
Vice President
Subir Mukherjee has been with ICMCA’s committee since 2003. Subir was born in the US, but having been born in a musical family, Subir has always enjoyed listening to Indian Classical Music. In his spare time, Subir plays the tabla and is currently learning from Gourisankar Karmakar at the School of Indian Percussion and Music.
Arti Pothukuchy
Executive Committee Member
Arti Pothukuchy has been associated with ICMCA since 2014. She has Ph.D. in biochemistry and is currently working for Department of State Health Services in Texas. During her college days, she was a member of SPIC MACAY. She learned Hindustani vocal from guru Nandita Sarkar for a brief period. Arti enjoys Indian classical music and Indian cultural arts.
Nabanita Guha
Executive Committee Member
I hold a Master’s degree in Computer Technology and work as a school teacher with a deep appreciation for the arts. Passionate about classical music, I have been volunteering with ICMCA since 2024, supporting programs that promote and preserve classical traditions. This involvement has allowed me to connect with talented artists and fellow music lovers who share a commitment to cultural expression. I believe music has the power to inspire, unite, and uplift communities, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to ICMCA’s mission of celebrating our rich classical heritage.
Advisory Board Members
Jeremie Fletcher Bourcy
Jeremie Fletcher Bourcy is a Graphic Designer, Illustrator, Mixed Media Artist and Musician. She has worked with ICMCA for the past decade and thoroughly enjoys creating web banners and printed flyers for this organization. Jeremie made it a point to focus more on her own studio and street art in 2023. She has exhibited her works in a handful of local Dallas galleries. She has also completed dumpster beautification murals for the City of Garland's 'Big Art Day' and Little Casa View, painted the children's area wall at the Forest Green Library and Cosmos Montessori school. She has also published her first children's book, Truck Boy. When she is not making art, she plays acoustic guitar in a band with her husband, The Bourcy Leos.
Dr. Mukul Sharma
Mukul Sharma is Professor and W. A. “Tex” Moncrief, Jr. Centennial Chair in Petroleum, Geosystems and Chemical Engineering department at University of Texas – Austin. Mukul is a connoisseur of Indian classical music and dance and is a long standing patron of the arts in Austin.
Sivagami Natesan
Sivagami Natesan has an undergraduate in English Literature from India, a diploma in International Journalism from The City University, London and a Masters in Journalism from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Trained in editing with India’s foremost magazine for the arts, Marg, she has worked with publications in India and continues to edit books for non-profits. She studies the non-dualistic path of Hindu philosophy and works with diaspora organizations in the United States to educate children in their Indic traditions.
Dr. Chinna Natesan
Chinna Natesan has a Ph.D.from the University of Arkansas, serves as an Associate Professor of Marketing at Texas State University, and holds several publications on the use of the internet as an educational tool and global strategic business alliances. He was a recipient of the Rotary International Grant for University Faculty to serve in developing countries in 1995 and 1996. Dr. Natesan engages in consulting with businesses, serves on the Board of the Downtown Austin Alliance and mentors high schoolers, college students and non profit organizations. He advocates learning to balance priorities early in life so that one can develop a sense of purpose and cultivate self confidence. He encourages volunteering and giving back as a way to balance academic and work life with meaningful living. He is passionate about teaching life skills that helps one lead a fulfilled life infused with gratitude.
Minnie Homchowdhury
Minnie is an Indian Classical dancer and Technology executive, settled in Austin. Her dance training began in India under the tutelage of Guru Thankamani Kutty of Kalamandalam, Kolkata. Over the years she has had the privilege of working with several dance companies, theater artists, teachers and academicians, where she has played multiple roles - as a performer, a choreographer, a teacher and a champion of the arts. Minnie enjoys working on productions/projects with local non-profits, in the area of children’s education, and community building. She has been actively involved with the Austin Scottish Rite Theater where she has combined her love for dance with children’s theater productions. She has also served as Board Member of the Leap of Joy Foundation, in Austin. Presently, Minnie continues to work in Technology applications, at the State and Local government level, while training in Yoga and Kalaripayattu. Minnie is passionate about dance education and continues to conduct Movement workshops and classes, for all age groups .
Ashwin Kamath
Ashwin Kamath has been a volunteer for ICMCA for many years before officially joining the organization. Ashwin is a Tabla disciple of Pt Gourisankar and learns Hindustani on the Guitar from Sri Indrajit Banerjee. He has a keen interest in multiple forms of music ranging from Hindustani to Rock and Jazz and has been a member of multiple music groups. Ashwin is currently the CAIO at Brainwaves.
Amit Sharma
Amit is a dedicated admirer and supporter of ICMCA's mission to bring Indian classical music and dance to the Austin community. His connection to these art forms began during his undergraduate years, where he was deeply drawn to their rich traditions and cultural depth. This passion led him to an active leadership role with the SPIC MACAY Mumbai Chapter, where he gained valuable experience in organizing cultural events and fostering a love for Indian classical arts among students. Amit is excited to support ICMCA in delivering an amazing artist experience while making Austin a world-class performance destination.
Sarma Rallapalli
Sarma Rallapalli moved to Austin for daughter Rati's college education. Looking to experience Austin's music city vibe, Sarma found an immediate connection through volunteering for ICMCA, with Indian classical music, dance and a vibrant music community. He also enjoys the local Blues scene, as well as dabbling in technology architecture for the financial services domain.
Gourisankar Karmakar
A “Top A” Grade artist of All India Radio and Television, Pandit Gourisankar has been enchanting audiences worldwide for over three decades with his artistry and mastery of the tabla. He has performed with some of India’s greatest musicians, including Pt. Jasraj, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pt. Birju Maharaj, and Ustad Shahid Parvez to name a few. Based in Austin, he founded the School of Indian Percussion and Music (SIPM) in 2008, where he continues to guide and inspire the next generation of artists.
