Welcome to Indian Classical Music Circle of Dallas/Fort Worth (ICMCDFW)
is a non-profit organization dedicated to the presentation of traditional and contemporary music and dance from India and the Indian sub-continent. Since its inception in 1983, ICMC has built a comprehensive concert series and is regarded as the premier promoter of Indian classical music and dance in Dallas/Fort Worth and the surrounding area, by consistently presenting at least five culturally diverse concerts a year for the benefit of its members and the general public.
ICMC’s mission is to entertain, to interest and educate its members and the general public and to significantly contribute to the multiethnic heritage and the cultural vitality of the city through its concerts.
To learn about our organisational structure
Our Journey from the get go!
let us take you through down the memory lane with our milestones and defining moments which have shaped who we are today…
1983
ICMCDFW Organisational Structure and Roles
ICMC’s finances and operation are managed by the Managing Committee, which consists of a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and 3 to 5 trustees (some preferably from the past years’ committees to provide continuity). The managing committee is elected at the general body meeting prior to the beginning of the ICMC fiscal year and the concert season (that is, the first of January). An extended group of volunteers is also formed during this meeting. The general body meeting is open to all members and to anyone interested. The venue and date for the meeting are announced at the last concert of the season and details are also mailed directly to the distribution list.
The structure of the management committee and the roles thereof are broadly defined, responsibilities tend to be shared across multiple individuals and the working relationship within the team is based on dedication, friendship, fun, mutual cooperation and respect. The most important role is that of the president who provides focus, direction and leadership to the management committee as well as the volunteers. Various roles and responsibilities such as venue coordination, artist correspondence, media coordination, promotion, fund raising, systems administration etc. are assumed by motivated individuals and/or teams.
The managing committee and the group of volunteers meet on a regular basis, approximately once a month or once a two months, depending on the frequency of concerts planned for the year. These meetings are held at a previously agreed upon public place for 2 to 4 hours to discuss the logistics for the upcoming concerts and the status of potential future concerts. At every meeting, the agenda and schedule for the next two meetings are tentatively planned, and gradually made firm closer to the actual date. Regular communication between the members of the managing committee and the group of volunteers take place, primarily via e-mail and/or on the telephone.
Mihir Patel, President
Mihir is volunteering at ICMC since 1997 in a variety of roles and promoting Hindustani Sangeet in DFW metroplex. He started his musical journey at a very early age and learned violin from Pandit Shashikant Gundani; disciple of Pandit Kalidas Joshi. He holds degree in music (Sangeet Visharad) from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. Mihir is proficient in performing Indian classical music on Violin; and actively performs for entertainment as well as educational purposes. Apart from music, he holds M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Villanova University, Pennsylvania; and currently works as Director of Commercial Development at Occidental Chemical Corporation.
Laxman Subramaniam, Secretary
Laxman currently serves as the Secretary of ICMC Dallas chapter. He pursues his Hindustani classical vocal studies under the guidance of Shri Chittranjan Mohan Gupta. Laxman is furthering his musical education by pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in music from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
Vrashank Shukla, Treasurer
Vrashank is the Treasurer for ICMC. Vrashank has been volunteering since 2013 when he moved to DFW. Vrashank loves Hindustani classical genre and himself loves singing light classical Bhajans. Vrashank has brought PayPal and Square integration to ICMC. Vrashank works as Product definer for Semiconductor Chips at Texas Instruments.
Shantanu Bhattacharya, Trustee / Board Member
Shama is a passionate practitioner of Hindustani Classical Music and has been a proud member of ICMC since 2024 and joined the advisory board in 2025. She holds a B.S. in Hindustani Classical Music and actively supports the preservation and promotion of Indian classical traditions. In parallel with her musical journey, Shama is a senior executive in the financial industry, currently serving as Managing Director and Global Head of Technology at JPMorgan Chase. She previously held leadership roles at Citi.
Ajay Agarwal, Trustee / Board Member
Advisory Board, Trustee, Volunteer. I have been a member of ICMC since 2010. Aerospace engineering (experience in helicopters and fighter aircrafts design). PhD in Mechanical/Systems Engineering. The purpose is to encourage traditional classical music in the Indian Diaspora especially the younger generation.
Shama Sarada, Advisory Board Member
Shama is a passionate practitioner of Hindustani Classical Music and has been a proud member of ICMC since 2024 and joined the advisory board in 2025. She holds a B.S. in Hindustani Classical Music and actively supports the preservation and promotion of Indian classical traditions. In parallel with her musical journey, Shama is a senior executive in the financial industry, currently serving as Managing Director and Global Head of Technology at JPMorgan Chase. She previously held leadership roles at Citi
Sharad Elhence, Advisory Board Member
Sharad has supported ICMC for 37 years and has been serving on its Advisory Board for over a decade. A management consultant and co-founder of 4See Advisory, he was also the creator of ARTSonepass. He serves on the Bruce Wood Dance Dallas board and brings a lifelong passion for Indian classical music, sparked by his parents
Pallavi Deshpande, Advisory Board Member
Pallavi is a UX Researcher at IT By Design with a background in Fine Arts and Education. A member of ICMC for over 10 years, she blends her passion for photography and design to lead ICMC’s social media and capture moments that celebrate Hindustani Classical Music
Ritu Krishna, Advisory Board Member
Ritu is a tech exec on sabbatical, co-author of Indian-ish, and a civic advocate. A longtime patron of Indian classical music, she and her husband have supported ICMC since 1992. She serves on nonprofit boards, enjoys travel, cooking, hiking, & is an oenophile. She hosted Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan during his 2001 Dallas ICMC visit
Akhila Rao, Advisory Board Member
Founder-Director of Kathak Rhythms in Texas, training hundreds in Kathak over 40 years. Akhila has established N America’s largest Kathak schools and is a U.S. center for Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, certifying students in Kathak. As ICMC’ Board member for over 6 years, Akhila helps bring the finest in classical dance to ICMC members and DFW audience
ICMCDFW Organisational Structure and Roles
Mihir Patel, President
Mihir is volunteering at ICMC since 1997 in a variety of roles and promoting Hindustani Sangeet in DFW metroplex. He started his musical journey at a very early age and learned violin from Pandit Shashikant Gundani; disciple of Pandit Kalidas Joshi. He holds degree in music (Sangeet Visharad) from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. Mihir is proficient in performing Indian classical music on Violin; and actively performs for entertainment as well as educational purposes. Apart from music, he holds M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Villanova University, Pennsylvania; and currently works as Director of Commercial Development at Occidental Chemical Corporation.
Laxman Subramaniam, Secretary
Laxman currently serves as the Secretary of ICMC Dallas chapter. He pursues his Hindustani classical vocal studies under the guidance of Shri Chittranjan Mohan Gupta. Laxman is furthering his musical education by pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in music from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
Vrashank Shukla, Treasurer
Vrashank is the Treasurer for ICMC. Vrashank has been volunteering since 2013 when he moved to DFW. Vrashank loves Hindustani classical genre and himself loves singing light classical Bhajans. Vrashank has brought PayPal and Square integration to ICMC. Vrashank works as Product definer for Semiconductor Chips at Texas Instruments.
Shantanu Bhattacharya, Trustee / Board Member
Shama is a passionate practitioner of Hindustani Classical Music and has been a proud member of ICMC since 2024 and joined the advisory board in 2025. She holds a B.S. in Hindustani Classical Music and actively supports the preservation and promotion of Indian classical traditions. In parallel with her musical journey, Shama is a senior executive in the financial industry, currently serving as Managing Director and Global Head of Technology at JPMorgan Chase. She previously held leadership roles at Citi.
Ajay Agarwal, Trustee / Board Member
Advisory Board, Trustee, Volunteer. I have been a member of ICMC since 2010. Aerospace engineering (experience in helicopters and fighter aircrafts design). PhD in Mechanical/Systems Engineering. The purpose is to encourage traditional classical music in the Indian Diaspora especially the younger generation.
Shama Sarada, Advisory Board Member
Shama is a passionate practitioner of Hindustani Classical Music and has been a proud member of ICMC since 2024 and joined the advisory board in 2025. She holds a B.S. in Hindustani Classical Music and actively supports the preservation and promotion of Indian classical traditions. In parallel with her musical journey, Shama is a senior executive in the financial industry, currently serving as Managing Director and Global Head of Technology at JPMorgan Chase. She previously held leadership roles at Citi
Sharad Elhence, Advisory Board Member
Sharad has supported ICMC for 37 years and has been serving on its Advisory Board for over a decade. A management consultant and co-founder of 4See Advisory, he was also the creator of ARTSonepass. He serves on the Bruce Wood Dance Dallas board and brings a lifelong passion for Indian classical music, sparked by his parents
Pallavi Deshpande, Advisory Board Member
Pallavi is a UX Researcher at IT By Design with a background in Fine Arts and Education. A member of ICMC for over 10 years, she blends her passion for photography and design to lead ICMC’s social media and capture moments that celebrate Hindustani Classical Music
Ritu Krishna, Advisory Board Member
Ritu is a tech exec on sabbatical, co-author of Indian-ish, and a civic advocate. A longtime patron of Indian classical music, she and her husband have supported ICMC since 1992. She serves on nonprofit boards, enjoys travel, cooking, hiking, & is an oenophile. She hosted Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan during his 2001 Dallas ICMC visit
Akhila Rao, Advisory Board Member
Founder-Director of Kathak Rhythms in Texas, training hundreds in Kathak over 40 years. Akhila has established N America’s largest Kathak schools and is a U.S. center for Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, certifying students in Kathak. As ICMC’ Board member for over 6 years, Akhila helps bring the finest in classical dance to ICMC members and DFW audience