Arani is a committed and dedicated Vina artiste. She is able to create a very personal ambiance in her Vina performances, connecting the audience to the soul of the ancient sounds. Her interpretation of traditional classical Carnatic music repertoire is both skilful and playful.

Arani is also a very good educator with excellent communication skills. She delivers Vina and Bharatanatyam presentations and workshops to schools, universities and has done so at The Bhavan's India Awareness Days over the years. Arani's command of the subject and engagement with the students is unique, and she can create an active participatory interest amongst large groups with her wit.

Arani has a very engaging communication style which comes across in her music teaching activities for schoolchildren. She is a personable and sensitive musician with a wide ranging understanding of Karnatic music, Vina and Bharatanatyam dance.

Skilfully demonstrating Karnatic music concepts and presentations to audiences unfamiliar with these,  Arani comes across as a confident, skilled artist who is deeply interested in sharing her love of music and dance with others.

- Darshana Vora (Curator, The Bhavan)

Arani is a rare young female professional Veena player from the South India tradition in UK. She is a role model in being an ambassador for this instrument and music. Her music is a good blend of the traditional Carnatic music with a British contemporary touch.

Very confident and risk taking in her presentation, she shows great promise. She brings a professional approach with reliable professional dealings and a pleasant personality.

- Ustad Dharambir Singh (MBE)

I am very happy to recommend Arani - we had her as part of an Indian Day, the focus was her dancing. She did an hour workshop each with year groups 5, 6, 7 and 8; and 45 minute workshops with years 1, 2, 3 and 4. During the workshops, Arani chose a group of children from amongst all, and created a little presentation, which was the telling of a traditional story.

The whole school and parents of the children watched. She then presented a full on and completely authentic dance of her own, complete with initial explanation of a prayer to a deity from her religion. The traditional costumes and make up all helped to put the image across. She also played a very unusual but beautiful string instrument called the Veena. The way she explains is so easy to understand and follow.

I was very impressed with her ability to 'perform' in her workshops and presentation - she captivated us all! Parents were particularly impressed that they had seen a very traditional dance and not just a more fashionable Bollywood shenanigan!

- Melissa Whittaker (Teacher at Knighton House, Dorset)

I would like to say how very much we all enjoyed the workshop you so kindly created for us. Thank you also for showing us your veena. This is something none of us had ever seen before, or heard. It was brilliant to see it actually being played and the way you compared Western music with South Indian music showed your vast knowledge.

It was absolutely fascinating to see the moves you showed us. Most of us had no idea that traditional Indian dancing is so different from the image of Indian dancing that is portrayed in films such as 'Slumdog Millionaire'. Staff expressed how fortunate they felt to see such an authentic performance. We were particularly impressed with how you managed to incorporate the children into some small sketches; how well you taught them, and how you were with them throughout their little display at the end of the day. It was absolutely wonderful. We were also amazed at the way you were able to convey so much through your own facial expressions.

One of the children, Eleanor, said that she had not realised there was so much emotion expressed in Indian dancing. Another child, Ruby, said that she loved learning how to be the naughty character in the dance. Another child, Aurelia, said that you were very patient with them all. And another child, Bella, said that it was very interesting to see such a different instrument being played.

We have some members of the parent body who lived in India for a while, and they were particularly pleased to see such a genuine workshop being held. This was a lovely day for everyone, and we all felt that we got a little closer to the 'real India'. So thank you again; I think you planned it brilliantly, and you were so personally involved. Thank you again and can’t wait for you to come again.

- Lisa Scofield (Teacher at Holy Trinity, Kent)

I have known Arani for many years now, who studied Karnatic music - vocal and vina - as well as Bharatanatyam at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, London under Smt. Sivasakthi Sivanesan and Guru Prakash Yadagudde. She is a very talented and hard working young artiste who later successfully completed her degree in Indian Music jointly conducted by Trinity Laban and The Bhavan.

Arani is a very good teacher and communicator and has helped us on several occasions by conducting classes and workshops in dance and music for visiting school children. She has also taken part in several of our programmes over the years besides helping her teacher Smt. Sivasakthi Sivanesan by taking her classes.

- Dr M N Nandakumara (Executive Director, The Bhavan)

I've followed Arani's journey for many years now, and am very pleased with how she has been embracing her passion for music, and turning it into a career. Her dedication to the art, and indepth learning, has stood her in good stead. I've featured her on my BBC Asian Network show, and am eagerly awaiting some of her original compositions and studio recordings, and also to see her performing more widely.

- Ashanti Omkar (BBC Asian Network)

I have known Arani for over 10 years and have seen her grow from a dedicated student to a professional artist,  she has learnt vocal and Veena under Smt Sivasakti sivanesan ji from the Bhavan center and Bharatnatyam under Guru Prakash Yadugudde.  She is a regular performer who took part in all the major events at and outside Bhavan.  She is a degree holder from Trinity College of Music. She has accompanied me on Veena and toured along me on my Project Kathak Vistaar. She is very hard working and sincere artist,  I wish her all the luck in her life and career. 

- Abhay Shankar Mishra (Renowned Kathak Dancer)