About us

Kalalaya is a prominent institution in traditional Carnatic education, merging ancient wisdom with contemporary teaching methods. We are honored to have hosted legendary musicians and consistently maintain the highest standards of excellence. Additionally, Kalalaya promotes and organizes tours of Indian classical light music, highlighting the rich heritage of our art form to a wider audience. Join us in exploring the captivating world of Indian music through our diverse programs.

The Visionary Behind Kalalaya

Vidushi Kala Iyer

Founder & President of Kalalaya

Kala Iyer, residing in the San Francisco Bay Area for the past 45 years. She is the Founder/Director of KALALAYA USA, an Institution of Indian Fine Arts in North America. She is one of the foremost premier promoters of Indian Fine Arts in the United States and a Carnatic classical music teacher in the Bay Area of California.

KALALAYA USA, a non-profit organization, is an institution of Indian Fine Arts and Academy, dedicated to teaching Carnatic vocal lessons at all levels. The school has presented several programs in the Bay Area.

Kala Iyer has been mainly responsible for promoting Indian Classical music, Light music, and Classical dance in the United States through the mainstream of the American audience. She has promoted very high-profile legendary and stalwart artists in various Indian Fine Arts as follows:

Carnatic Classical Music:

Late, Vidwan Dr. Namagiri Pettai Krishnan
Padma Vibhushan, Sangeetha Kalanidhi
Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna
Padma Bhushan, Sangeetha Kalanidhi
Dr. M.L. Vasanthakumari
Parma Shri, Padma shri, Kalaimamani
Dr. Kadri Gapalanath
Padma Shri, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr Bombay Jayashri
Padma Shri, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr. Aruna Sairam
Padma Vibhushan, Sangeetha Kalanidhi
Dr K. J. Yesudas
Violin Duet Maestros Mysore Brothers-
Vidwan Mysore Nagaraj and Dr. Mysore Manjunath
Sangeetha Kalanidhi, Kalaimamani Dr. Sowmya
Violin Duet Maestros Ganesh-Kumaresh
Vocal Duet Maestros Kalaratna, Sangeetha Choodamani Hyderabad Brothers
Vocal Duet Maestros Malladi Brothers
Vocal Duet Maestros Trichur Brothers

Indian Light Music:

Kala Iyer, a Carnatic vocalist in the Bay Area, majored in Music at Delhi University and is a holder of B.A. Honors Degree, where she did comparative studies on Indian and Western music. There, she studied under Vidwan Sri T.R. Subramaniam, and later studied under the legendary Vidushi late, Dr. M.L. Vasanthakumari.

Kala Iyer draws from a repertoire of classical and semi-classical compositions. Kala has appeared on All India Radio in New Delhi.

Since moving to U.S., she has performed several times in the San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, Miami, and Cleveland. She has also accompanied as vocal support for several Bharatanatyam dance schools and individual dancers. She has presented several lecture demonstrations and performed a few Jugalbandi concerts.

Kala Iyer has been instrumental in serving many voluntary organizations in various positions. She was the President of first and oldest premier organization SOUTH INDIA FINE ARTS in the Bay Area, California. Executive Committee Member of Shiva-Vishnu Hindu Temple in Livermore, CA.

Kala Iyer is still active in organizing tours in promoting Indian Fine Arts artists, teaching Carnatic music thru Kalalaya, and serving the local community in voluntary organizations.