Music studies headmaster, he teaches singing to advanced students. Pandit Somanath Mardur was born in 1944 in Karnataka. His musical journey began at the early age of 7 when he decided to leave his village and learn Hindustani classical music with Pandit Veeraparya Swami. Four years later he became the disciple of his Holiness Puttaraj Gawaï, with whom he took guidance until the age of 17.
In 1961, after receiving the gold medal from the hands of the President of India for his performance in the All India Radio Youth music competition, Pandit Ji moved to Dharwad to train under Padma Vibushan Pandit Basavraj Rajguru. He continued his studies with this great artist of all-India fame for the next thirty years. Furthermore, Somanath Mardur has studied under the renowned Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur for 4 years. Pandit Mardur received the Karnataka State Award in 2004 for his contribution to culture and music.
Somanath Mardur is the proud and respected representative of the Kirana Gharana, one of India’s most valued vocal traditions. Shivanand Salimath, his son-in-law and disciple, provides harmonium accompaniments for all his concerts and also teaches singing at KSV.
One of the most popular Hindustani violin players in South India, Pandit Math spent ten years at Gadag’s Veereshwar Punyashram, studying under his holiness Puttaraj Gawaigalu. He worked as resident musician for 32 years at the All India Radio, Dharwad, and Panjim, capital of the state of Goa.
Pandit Math is a top-level solo artist and shares the stage with his wife and disciple, Akkamahadevi Hiremath, also a violinist. Moreover, he accompanied several great singers, such as Pt. Mallikarjun Mansur, Smt. Gangubhai Hangal, Pt. Basavaraj Rajguru, Pt. K.G. Ginde, Pt. Babanrao Haldankar and Pt. Dinkar Kalkini.
Ravi Kudalgi
Ravi Kudligi is a well-known tabla player from Dharwad. He was the disciple of Ragunath Nakod, one of the greatest tabla players of the Lucknow Gharana. Ravi is a much appreciated artist, and for his musical skills has been rewarded with many distinctions. Ravi is a dedicated teacher at the Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya and accompanies many senior artists for live performances and recordings at the All India Radio of Dharwad.
Son of Ustad Bale Khan, one of India’s most celebrated sitarists. Hafeez comes from a prestigious lineage of musicians dating back to Gwalior’s court in the 19th century. At KSV, he teaches sitar (Indian lute). He is also the nephew of Ustad Hameed Khan, one of the founders of Young Musicians of the World.
Venugopal Hegde
A young and talented artist, Venugopal studied the bansouri (bamboo flute) under Pandit Venkatesh Gorkhindi for 6 years. He continued his studies under the tutelage of the famous signer Vidushi Kishori Amonkar. Today he periodically goes to complete his studies under the erudite singer Pt. Babanrao Haldankar.
Academic Department
Leela Patil
Mrs Patil is the Headmistress of the academic department at KSV, she teaches several subjects including English, Hindi, Mathematics, Social Studies. Mrs. Leela Patil is a natural pedagogue as well as an experienced teacher.
Adam Woodward Adam first came to KSV as a volunteer in January 2004. He was immediately taken with the ethos of the school, so much so that he returned six months later for a longer stay. Adam’s horticultural qualifications, together with his building skills, were put to excellent use in developing agricultural projects at the school. Showing the will and commitment to the school, Adam was taken on as a permanent member of staff, and now in addition to his administrative duties, he also teaches English and assists Mrs Patil. His other duties involve seeing to the well-being of the volunteers and organising the development around the school.
Administrative Department
Anwar Kazi General manager and Senior Administrator of the Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya, Mr. Kazi possesses many rich and wide-ranging professional talents and skills. A retired engineer for the famous Indian company Tata, former chairman of Kalkeri village and experienced farmer, Mr. Kazi is comfortable in urban as well as in rural environments.
Chenabasaya Kotimath Mr. Kotimath was born near Hubli. After completing his BA in humanities, he left with his family for Mumbai, where he was manager for a clothes company. This job entailed a lot of travelling across all of India. After fourteen years in the big city, he decided to come back to Hubli, to lead a quieter life.
Having always been interested in cooking, he opened a restaurant, and over the next nine years many college administrators went to eat there. They eventually asked him to come and cook for their students. He worked as head cook in various colleges for 14 years but after seeing an advert in the newspaper, he joined KSV in March 2006.
the most popular Hindustani violin players in South India, Pandit Math spent ten years at Gadag’s Veereshwar Punyashram, studying under his holiness Puttaraj Gawaigalu. He worked as resident musician for 32 years at the All India Radio, Dharwad, and Panjim, capital of the state of Goa. 
Chenabasaya Kotimath 
