"Some journeys begin with a single decision; mine began with a sound. The gentle, cascading notes of the santoor found me as a young girl, and something in me quietly said yes. While life led me into the world of banking technology, where I spent over two decades designing products, solving complex problems, and leading with empathy, the music never left. For 35 years, the santoor remained my anchor and my joy, offering stillness amid busy days and presence in a world that moved fast. As I grew professionally, I found that the skills I honed at work such as discipline, listening, and creativity flowed naturally into my music. And in return, the soulfulness and serenity of the santoor brought clarity and calm to my career.
These two paths, once parallel, became deeply connected. Performing and sharing music became a way to connect more deeply with myself and with others. Now, I’m stepping fully into this next chapter, devoted wholly to music, carrying with me all the wisdom and grace of the journey so far. It is not an end or a shift; it is a homecoming.”
Santoor Artist
Deepal Chodhari uniquely blends the timeless richness of Indian classical music with the shimmering sounds of the santoor, bringing depth, emotion, and mental wellbeing to audiences worldwide as one of the few female professional soloists on this rare instrument. She is a graduate of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (Mumbai), where she earned the coveted Sangeet Visharad (Bachelor’s degree in Hindustani/North Indian Classical Music). For over 15 years, she apprenticed under her Guru, Shri Dineshkumar Sampat, a direct disciple of Pandit Kartik Kumar. To broaden her stylistic palette, she is also training with Dr. Dhananjay Daithankar, himself a disciple of Padma Vibhushan Pandit Shivkumar Sharma and has pursued intensive vocal training under Smt. Shashikala Kaikini, as well as brief training under Smt. Mitali Bhawmik. Her playing reflects the three hallmarks of the Maihar tradition:
- Gayaki ang – voice-like glides and ornamentation that make the Santoor “sing.”
- Gatkari – brisk, dazzling instrumental passages showcasing virtuosity.
- Layakari – sophisticated rhythmic improvisation with a tabla accompanist.
In her raga renderings, she strives for clarity of tone and vigor, weaving soulful emotions into traditional (raagdari) compositions. Her Guruji passed on these styles through the Maihar gharana, and she has also worked to master the intricacies of the instrument itself from bridge setting and string gauges to fine-tuned tonal adjustments to bring out the Santoor’s best possible sound.
Her career highlights include performances at Princeton University, the Ragas Live Festival (NYC), NYC Radio, Brooklyn Raga Massive, Chandayan (NYC), Chinmaya Mission (NJ), Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (NYC) for the Chaar Prahar Festival, Phoenix Gharana (Phoenix), IIT Powai (Mumbai), Malhar at St. Xavier’s College (Mumbai), and on national Indian television. She is also honored to be a recipient of the New Jersey Folk Arts Apprenticeship Award, recognizing her contributions to preserving and carrying forward the Indian classical tradition on the santoor.
Santoor Teacher
Deepal Chodhari is a dedicated santoor teacher in the tri-state area, committed to preserving the rich legacy of one of India’s most ancient and revered instruments-the santoor. Her students have earned recognition and accolades at prestigious Hindustani classical music competitions and events. She also offers structured, curriculum-based training and prepares students for certification exams through the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal and SAMVED.
Raga Shivranjini – Student Performance | Under the Guidance of Deepal Chodhari
Student Performance on the Santoor
Music Wellness Practitioner
The shimmering, bell-like resonance of the Santoor, combined with the structured melodies of Indian classical ragas, creates a uniquely soothing musical experience that promotes mental wellness. Deepal is passionate about curating restorative sessions for holistic wellbeing, designing soulful melodic patterns in various ragas based on her research into how each raga shapes emotion.
She maps ragas to empirically observed outcomes, such as calm, focus, and optimism, and integrates them into short “micro-listens” as well as longer restorative sets. Her goal is to spread a tone of peace, calm, and wellbeing to as many people as possible through her music.
She offers concerts, mentors students, and produces meditation videos that combine Indian classical raga therapy with simple breathwork, helping listeners everywhere “Experience Calm.”
Whether on stage, in the classroom, or sharing music digitally, Deepal Chodhari remains committed to carrying the Santoor’s shimmering voice forward as a universal path to peace, joy, and inner harmony.