Photo: Veronique Lerebours
Founder & CEO
Devika is an engineer, vocalist and an inspired entrepreneur.
A gifted vocalist, known for her soulful renditions of raga, fusion and world music, Devika has performed in concerts and collaborated with musicians on live and recorded projects. Having learnt music since childhood, she continues to learn the sacred art of Indian classical music from Pta. Tripti Mukherjee. Devika has accompanied Pta. Tripti Mukherjee on vocal support and tanpura during concerts at the Indian Consulate, NY, Chhandayan Center, NY, Pittsburgh, PA, Washington D.C., Ida. K. Lang Recital Hall, Hunter College, NY, World Music Institute at Symphony Space, NY, Chinmaya Mission, Chicago, and the Broome Street Temple, NY, amongst others.
As a member of the Pandit Jasraj Institute for Music Research, Artistry and Appreciation, Devika has been teaching vocal classical music to children and adults for over six years in New York and New Jersey. She believes in the potential of the classical arts to spark self-discovery and create harmony within oneself, with everyone around, and in the world.
Devika is a recipient of the Mewati Uurja (Energy) award from the Pandit Jasraj Institute for her continuous support and service to the institute and to the world of music. Living legend Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj has referred to her as a "one woman army" in appreciation of the depth and breadth of her work at the institute.
Devika is fortunate to have been blessed by many Gurus in her life. She hails from a family of educationists, corporate leaders, doctors, writers, performing artistes, artists and women entrepreneurs. She is very grateful for the exposure and inputs she has received from her parents Mrs. Gauri Kshirsagar and Mr. Mukteshwar Kshirsagar, spiritual Gurus Swami Harish Madhukar, Mrs. Minoti Roy, Mr. Krishna Solegaonkar, Mrs. Snehal Solegaonkar, music and life Gurus Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj, Pta. Tripti Mukherjee, Dr. Pt. Askaran Sharma, Pt. Vinayakrao Kunte, Shri Ram Dixit and all the family members and friends who have guided her on her path.
Devika has a Bachelor of Information Technology degree from Sardar Patel College of Engineering, Mumbai, India and a Master of Computer Science degree from State University of New York, Buffalo, USA. She has previously worked at Yahoo!, Amazon and Microsoft as a developer and program manager.
Devika Thakkar