श्री गुरुभ्यो नमः
Pranams to our Gurus
Initiated to learn mridangam by HH Dr. Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji, fondly called Tataji by Chidatma, he is an award-winning Carnatic mridangam artist with thirteen years of rigorous training under Vidwan Rudrapatna Shankar Ramesh of Mysuru. A multiple-time 1st prize winner at the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana — the most prestigious Carnatic music competition in North America — Chidatma has established himself as one of the most promising young percussionists in the diaspora.
His performance credits include the prestigious Nada Mantapa at Avadhoota Datta Peetham, Mysuru (accompanying Vid. Kunnakudi Balamurali Krishna and Vid. HN Bhaskar), Shivaratri concerts at Shubham Fine Arts in Chennai, and Raga Tarangini — a symphonic presentation envisioned by Ambi Subramaniam.
Recent highlights include a concert with Vidwan Vivek Moozhikulam (A-Grade AIR artist), accompanying Vidwan Parupalli Sri Ranganath at various venues in USA, and the "Sagara Sayana" music video with Saravana Creations. In March 2026, Chidatma accompanies the Cotah Sisters (Poorva & Paavani Cotah), a rising Carnatic vocal duo, for three concerts on their US tour. Catchy fusion covers produced in early teen years — blending mridangam with marimba — have drawn tens of thousands of viewers on YouTube.
A Computer Science student at the University of Texas at Dallas, Chidatma brings an analytical rigour to his art — his academic research explores machine learning approaches to recognising and classifying Carnatic rhythmic patterns, a pursuit that deepens his understanding of laya from both scholarly and performative perspectives. Based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, he remains equally committed to the concert stage and the study of talam's inner mechanics.
Disciple of Vidwan Rudrapatna Shankar Ramesh of Mysuru — 13 years of dedicated training in the art and science of laya.
Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana — 1st Prize, Mridangam Solo & Accompaniment Senior (2024, 2025)
Dhvani Ohio — 1st Prize, Mridangam Solo Super-Senior (2025)
ICMDA International — 1st Prize, Mridangam Solo Senior (2021, 2022)
Shaale Abhyas — Winning Entry, Accompaniment Contest (2021)
Rooted in the timeless guru-shishya parampara, Chidatma's art is shaped by the guidance of two extraordinary luminaries.
Vidwan Rudrapatna Shankar Ramesh is a distinguished mridangam artist and guru based in Mysuru, Karnataka. A seasoned accompanist on the Carnatic concert circuit, he is known for his refined layakari, sensitive accompaniment, and deep command of the mridangam's tonal palette.
Chidatma has trained under his tutelage for thirteen years, absorbing the nuances of laya, the grammar of mridangam vaadhya, and the art of sensitive accompaniment. This guru-shishya bond forms the bedrock of Chidatma's musical identity.
His Holiness Dr. Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji is a world-renowned spiritual master, music healer, and the pontiff of Avadhoota Datta Peetham in Mysuru. A prolific composer with thousands of bhajans and kirtans in multiple languages, Sri Swamiji's music transcends boundaries of language and culture.
Chidatma has been blessed with numerous opportunities to perform in Sri Swamiji's divine presence — at Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple in Texas, Trinity Datta Yoga Center in Illinois, Datta Yoga Center in Canada, and at the sacred Nada Mantapa in Mysuru. This spiritual connection infuses every performance with devotion and purpose.
Featured performances, instrumental fusion covers, and concert recordings.
Solo Performance
Solo Performance
Solo Performance
A-Grade AIR Artist | Nov 2025
Nada Mandapam, Avadhoota Dattapeetham, Mysuru
Hosted by GEMHS | Nov 2025
Original Composition
Saravana Creations | Raga Bageshri | 2024
Performance highlights, concert posters, and cherished moments from concerts across India and the US.
Chidatma is an impressively wonderful budding talent in the world of percussion!
Chidatma is an impressively wonderful budding talent in the world of percussion!
Everything you need for concert programs, festival brochures, and media coverage.
Full electronic press kit with bio, awards, performance history, and technical requirements.
Download PDF ↓Hi-resolution performance and portrait photos. Contact for 300 DPI originals.
Request Photos →Curated concert recordings, fusion covers, and collaborations with senior artists.
View on YouTube →Available for concert accompaniment, solo performances, festivals, and collaborations nationwide.
Contact for details →Chidatma Datta Chaganti is an award-winning Carnatic mridangam artist and disciple of Vidwan Rudrapatna Shankar Ramesh of Mysuru, carrying forward the baani of the legendary Guru Karaikudi Mani. Winner of back-to-back 1st prizes at the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana (2024 & 2025), he has performed at Nada Mantapa Mysuru with Kunnakudi Balamurali Krishna. Based in DFW, Texas.
Chidatma Datta Chaganti is an award-winning Carnatic mridangam artist based in the DFW Metroplex, Texas. A dedicated disciple of Vidwan Rudrapatna Shankar Ramesh of Mysuru for over 13 years, he carries forward the esteemed baani (style) of the legendary Guru Karaikudi Mani. Currently a Computer Science student at the University of Texas at Dallas, Chidatma balances rigorous academic pursuits with an active concert career spanning major festivals and venues across the US and India.
He achieved back-to-back 1st prizes at the prestigious Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana in 2024 and 2025 in both Solo and Accompaniment categories, along with 1st prizes at the Dhvani Ohio S. Tyagaraja Rao Memorial and ICMDA International competitions. He has accompanied senior artists including Vidwan Vivek Moozhikulam (A-Grade AIR artist), Kunnakudi Balamurali Krishna at Nada Mantapa Mysuru, His innovative fusion work on YouTube, blending mridangam with Western instruments, has garnered over 30,000 views. Deeply rooted in the spiritual tradition of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji, he regularly offers Sangeeta Seva at SGS temples across North America.
Available for concert accompaniment, solo performances, festival appearances, and collaborations. Based in Dallas-Fort Worth, available nationwide.
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