Raksha Mahalinkam is a young, emerging Carnatic vocalist who has been learning for the past 17 years. Her initial tutelage began with her mother, Smt. Karpagam Mahalingam, and Shri B. V. Ganesh. Since then, she has trained under Smt. Padma Sandilyan and has also trained under Sangita Kala Acharya Smt. Suguna Varadachari in the past few years. Raksha’s accomplishments as a vocalist include winning the “Yuva Sree Kalabharathi Award” from Bharati Yuva Kendra, Madurai as well as securing first place in the prestigious Padam Javali competition organized by the Madras Music Academy. She was also one of the top 8 contestants in Raj TV’s Swarnasangeetham, Season 3 and has been featured on Vijay TV and Jaya TV for various performances. Raksha has performed across various sabhas and concert venues in Tamil Nadu and Chennai, and her upcoming performance in Vancouver will mark her first performance in Canada. Raksha’s recital will explore the Ariyakudi, Musiri, and Dhannamal banis through various patantharams (stylistic renderings of compositions).