Gurvinder's stage career started way back in school (in 4th or 5th std) when his teacher needed girls for a dandiya dance and she couldn't find any. Instead she asked him to dance, with his hair open and tons of makeup! Since then Guru has been on stage, be it a dance or a skit or a mime (although never as a girl again!). In college - the dice got rolling with a mono act that he did in his first year, and never looked back. Guru was the dramatics rep at his IIT-D hostel and then the Cultural Secretary. At the end of years, he had earned a name in skits and dances. Aath Ghante was his first hindi play in which he had a major role, followed by Dr. Ahuja in Everyone Loves a Good Tsunami, Ensemble role in Gaare ki Deewar, Directed the Bollywood Ballerina Desi Girl, played the Kotwaal in Ek Tha Gadha and was director and Genie in Mausam Xpress, the King in Chitrangada and directed Darling Tere Liye. Other than MCing shows (Ina Mina Dika, Gunjan, IAWW Diwali, Cry Idol etc.) and skits, Guru is a member of the Pratidhwani Dance group, Dreams dance group and Shub Gill's Rhythms of India Bhangra group.

Ankur first appeared on stage as Mangal Pandey during 5th standard and has been an active participant since then. The journey continued in Seattle with appearances in plays like Sangharsh ki Oar (Lakshman), Aath Ghante (BrijBhushan Verma), Gaare Ki Deevar (Sanjeev), Ek Tha Gadha (Devillal), Kanyadaan (Arun), Samsara (foetus) and The compleat works of William Shakespeare (Various), Bollywood dance dramas (as script writer/actor/director) like Yam Ne Bana Di Jodi (Khunkhar Singh), Mausam Express (Mausam), Pardey Ke Peecheey (Karodimal), Shaadi.Con (Ranjeet), Jab We Dance (Arjun), and DesiGirl (Mohan). He has also MC’d shows like Ina Mina Dika, Bhartiyam's Diwali, Shaam Mastaani, Hai Dum, Colors of India,  and APCC. He managed the stage for Everyone Loves a Good Tsunami, Chitrangada, Darling Tere Liye, Imagine India, Kingdom of Cards. He has been serving as Pratidhwani treasurer since 2013. 

Bio coming soon

Meenakshi Rishi is an overdetermined woman.  She is, mostly a Professor of Economics, hopefully a supportive spouse, and always a crazy mama. When she grows up she would like to see a world without inequity and injustice. In addition to her teaching talk show (on air since 1993), she has performed in several shows for Pratidhwani as well as for Mirror Stage and Infinity Box Theatre. She is also on the Board of Infinity Box Theatre. Meenakshi was nominated for a Gregory Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Ratna in Dance Like a Man and has recently acted in two film productions: What if and Finding Bapu. She was also a very glorified extra in Three Busy Debras (HBO/AdultSwim).

Bio coming soon

Chavi Khare is your typical software nerd from Hyderabad, India - the city of pearls. As a child, she discovered her passion for dance while participating in festivities organized by local groups. She graduated from performing to choreographing and eventually to organizing numerous dance shows. These endeavors lead to not just showcasing & honing her creativity but also harnessing leadership skills. After moving to Seattle, US in 2012, Chavi became an active member of the various South Asian Art Organizations such as Pratidhwani & Indus creations. After establishing herself as an accomplished artist by consistently performing in several shows in the Seattle circuit, she went on to become the artistic director of the Pratidhwani dance wing (2015-18). During which she directed, organized & continued performing in multiple shows. Chavi is also very passionate about filmmaking. She has directed dance videos, web series, and short films. She was also an associate director of a Tamil feature film, Vellai Pookal (2019). So, totally your typical software nerd from Hyderabad…  ;)

Spandana Battula is an engineering manager at Microsoft and the founder of Malhaar Music Academy, where she teaches students in Hindustani classical and light music traditions. With a unique blend of technical expertise and musical artistry, she brings creativity, inclusivity, and cultural preservation to every endeavor. As an educator, performer, and event designer, Spandana is passionate about curating soulful experiences that connect communities through music. Her leadership style celebrates collaboration and innovation, whether orchestrating technical solutions or designing heartful performances. Joining Pratidhwani’s Light Music Wing as a board member, she is excited to contribute her vision for expanding opportunities for artists and audiences to experience the richness of South Asian music.

Shailendra started learning the art of tabla from Shri Kuntal Roy of Kolkata around 2005. During his musical journey, he has been privileged to learn from late Dr. Sharad Gadre of Seattle, a well known vocalist & also has received occasional instruction from Shri Harshad Kanetkar from Pune. Shailendra loves to arrange & participate in various Indian Classical music endeavors as well as light music events. He has participated in semi-classical events such as Sur Sandhya & Kashish as well as Light-music shows such as Dil ne Kaha & Swarali. 

Agastya has led Pratidhwani's Drama Wing since 2005, and has directed and produced a number of productions under the Pratidhwani banner. He has also directed for Centerstage Theater, Infinity Box, As If Theatre Company, Pork Filled Productions, Penguine Productions, 14/48 and more. As an actor Agastya has worked with Book-it Repertory, Pony World Theatre, Theatre22, ReAct Theatre, 14/48, PFP, SIS Productions, Theater Schmeater, Live Girls! Theater, and more. An avid theatre goer, Agastya used to watch about 3 plays a week in the Before Times, and is glad to see a slow return to normalcy in theatre production calendars. He is happy to recommend his favorites if you're looking for suggestions. Contact him at agastyak@pratidhwani.org.