In person
Lessons in person, with the instrument in front of you.
Oviya Koodam
Rooted in Heritage, Shared with Love
தஞ்சாவூர் மரபின் இல்லம்
A place where Indian music, art and well-being come together. Join us to learn, experience and celebrate the living traditions of India — through Saraswathi Veena, Tanjore painting and music-based well-being.
Explore
Three traditions, one koodam
Choose a tradition to see classes, workshops and practical details.
Nāda Koodam
Veena
One-to-one Saraswathi veena lessons in person and online, and live veena for yoga and meditation groups.
Veena lessons →
Svāsthya Koodam
Music Therapy
Music therapy workshops and group sessions with live veena.
Workshops and sessions →
Chitra Koodam
Traditional Painting
Thanjavur painting, reverse Thanjavur painting, Kerala mural and Ganjifa. Classes in person and online.
The art and the classes →
For yoga centres and organisations
Options for groups →
Live veena and workshops for your group
Live veena for yoga, meditation and mantra chanting groups, and music therapy workshops for organisations and community groups.
About Kousalya
A life in many arts
I am an Indian-born, Belgium-based veena player, certified music therapy practitioner and Thanjavur painter. I have practised Thanjavur painting for 30 years, and Oviya Koodam is where I share these traditions through classes, workshops and group sessions.
Veena
- 20 years of veena practice
- Learnt from several teachers, principally under the tutelage of Vidushi Sujata Tyagarajan
- Veena soloist with the Virago Symphonic Orchestra, Bourla Theatre, Antwerp (2025)
Music therapy
- Postgraduate Diploma in Music Therapy, NADA Center for Music Therapy, India (2025)
- Certificate Program in Fundamentals of Music Therapy, Chennai School of Music Therapy (2025)
- An Integrated Course of Music Therapy – Biopsychosocial and Ayurvedic Approach, Level 1, Svaraveda Foundation (2025)
Painting
- 30 years of Thanjavur painting practice
- Thanjavur painting workshops and classes at the Embassy of India in Belgium
Student handbooks
Open handbooks
For enrolled students
Handbooks for my veena and painting students, free to download. They are shared through Google Drive with the email address you registered with.
Contact
Book a class or a workshop
The quickest way to reach me is WhatsApp: tap the button and your message is ready to send. You can also use the form below. I reply within 24 hours.
Emailkousalyasankaran@outlook.com
Phone / WhatsApp+32 472 80 11 60
LocationBrasschaat, Antwerp region, Belgium · and online
PrivacyThis website does not store what you type in the form and uses no cookies or tracking. Your message goes directly from your own WhatsApp or email app to me, and is used only to reply to your enquiry.
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Nāda Koodam · Veena
Learn the Saraswathi veena
One-to-one veena lessons in person in Brasschaat or online, and live veena accompaniment for yoga, meditation and mantra chanting groups.
Individual lessons
One-to-one veena lessons
Lessons are one-to-one, so each lesson follows your own pace and level.
Online
The same one-to-one lessons, taught online.
- Fee
- €15 per lesson
- Format
- One-to-one, in person or online
- Location
- Brasschaat, Antwerp region, or online
- Lesson length
- 40 minutes
- Levels
- Beginner, intermediate and advanced
- Languages
- English, Hindi and Tamil
- Instrument
- Students need their own veena; for online lessons, from the start
- Travel
- Travel costs apply for individual lessons at your home
Getting started
Your first lesson
- Get in touchSend an enquiry with your experience, if any, and the days and times that suit you.
- Arrange a timeWe agree on a lesson time and whether you learn in person or online.
- Your first lessonsLessons follow a structured syllabus, beginning with music theory and Sarali Varisai.
Live veena
Veena for your practice
The sound of a live veena can deepen a yoga class, a meditation or a mantra chanting circle. I accompany yoga studios, meditation groups and mantra chanting groups on the veena, in person.
On stage
Performances
Carnatic veena concerts in Belgium.
14Nov 2026
Upcoming
Swathi Thirunal concert
Raga Begada.
- 28 March 2026Sita Rama KalyanamLeuven, organised by ICCC. Ragamalika.
- 10 November 2025Swathi Thirunal concertBrussels, organised by Amrithavarshini School of Music. Raga Malayamarutam, with mridangam accompaniment.
- 8 March 2025Women in Motion, Virago Symphonic OrchestraBourla Theatre, Antwerp, International Women’s Day concert. Veena soloist, Thillana Surya Adi.Featured in VRT and ATV television news coverage of International Women’s Day. Watch the concert video →
- 2024Durga FestivalFort van Merksem, Antwerp. Predominantly raga Revati.
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Svāsthya Koodam · Music Therapy
Music therapy workshops and group sessions
As a certified practitioner of music therapy, I lead workshops and group sessions rooted in Indian classical music and live veena.
Workshops
Structured sessions on a single approach, such as mantra or raga-based practice.
Group sessions
Small in-person groups working together through music.
Workshops and group sessions
What we do together
Mantra & Nāda circle
- Duration
- 60 minutes
- Format
- In person
- Group
- 4–7 participants
Mantra-based music therapy with live veena. Participants take part in:
- OM, bija and bhramari practices
- A body scan and progressive muscle relaxation
- A mantra combined with pranayama
Nārī Svāsthya · Magalir Nalam
- Duration
- Tailored to the group
- Format
- In person, 4–7 participants
- For
- Women
Music therapy with live veena for women’s wellbeing, shaped around the needs of the group.
Manaḥ Śānti · Mana Amaidhi
- Duration
- Tailored to the group
- Format
- In person, 4–7 participants
- For
- Adults experiencing stress
Raga listening, breath and live veena to help participants settle and regain calm.
Ārogya · Nalvāzhvu
- Duration
- Tailored to the group
- Format
- In person, 4–7 participants
- For
- Anyone wishing to strengthen their own health resources
Music-based activities that focus on what keeps people well, drawing on participants’ own resources for health.
Workshops for your group
Book a group workshop
Each workshop is shaped around the needs of the group, for 4 to 7 participants. There is no travel cost for group sessions.
Your practitioner
Kousalya
- Postgraduate Diploma in Music Therapy, NADA Center for Music Therapy, India
- Certificate Program in Fundamentals of Music Therapy, Chennai School of Music Therapy
- Integrated Course of Music Therapy (Biopsychosocial and Ayurvedic Approach), Svaraveda Foundation
- Veena, principally under Vidushi Sujata Tyagarajan
Yoga centres, organisations and community groups
Arrange a workshop →
Bring a workshop to your group
Any of these workshops can be arranged for your members or team. Send an enquiry to discuss a workshop or request a quotation.
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For yoga centres and organisations
Live veena and workshops for your group
For yoga centres, meditation and mantra chanting groups, organisations and community groups in Belgium.
What I offer
Options for your group
Live veena accompaniment
Live veena during your yoga class, meditation or chanting circle, in person.
About live veena →Mantra & Nāda workshop
Mantra-based music therapy with live veena, including OM, bija and bhramari practices.
Workshop details →Music and wellness workshops
Music therapy workshops for teams, members or community groups.
All workshops →Tailored group sessions
A session shaped around your group and its purpose.
Practical details
Planning a session
- Duration
- Tailored to the group
- Participants
- Women’s groups, teams, community, yoga and meditation groups
- Group size
- 4 to 7 participants
- Travel
- No travel cost for group sessions
- Customisation
- Possible, to be discussed
- Pricing
- On request, by quotation
How to book
From enquiry to session
- Send an enquiryTell me about your group, the kind of session you have in mind, possible dates and your venue.
- Discuss and quoteI reply within 24 hours to discuss your group and send a quotation.
- ConfirmThe date is confirmed once we have agreed on the details.
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Chitra Koodam · 30 years of practice
Authentic Thanjavur painting
A painting made to be handed down. Natural materials, natural colours, and each deity painted as its Dhyana Sloka describes. I also teach reverse Thanjavur painting, Kerala mural and Ganjifa.
Why it is unique
What makes my work authentic
Dhyana Sloka
Each deity is painted following its Dhyana Sloka, the verse that describes its form. This is what makes the work authentic.
Only natural materials
I use only natural materials and natural colours: earth pigments, not vegetable dyes.
Colours that deepen
Instead of fading, these colours are enhanced by sunlight and time.
Preserved for generations
A painting made this way is made to last, and to be passed on from one generation to the next.
My work
Thanjavur paintings
All paintings shown are my own work. Paintings are available in all sizes, and I also make custom paintings on request.
A glimpse of the process
From first sketch to finished painting
- A3 sampleEvery painting begins with an A3 sample of the final work.
- TracingThe design is traced onto the prepared board.
- Relief workThe raised areas are built up by hand.
- Stones and goldStones are set and gold foil is laid on the relief.
- PaintingThe figure is painted in natural colours, following the Dhyana Sloka.
Also at Chitra Koodam
Reverse Thanjavur painting, Kerala mural and Ganjifa
Reverse Thanjavur painting
Painted on the back of a sheet of glass and seen through the front. The work is built up in reverse order: the fine details and outlines go on first, then the colours, the gold foil and the background, so the finished image shines through the glass.
This form was introduced in Thanjavur under the Maratha ruler Serfoji II, as a more cost-effective alternative to the traditional board painting.
Kerala mural
The temple mural tradition of Kerala, known for its rich yellows, ochres and greens, flowing ornamented figures and bold, rhythmic outlines.
Ganjifa painting
Hand-painted Indian playing cards, traditionally round, painted in fine detail with themes such as the Dashavatara.
Classes
Learn Thanjavur painting, reverse Thanjavur painting, Kerala mural and Ganjifa
Classes in person and online. Individual Thanjavur painting classes since November 2025.
In-depth course
A course built around one sample painting and its Dhyana Sloka, from the A3 sample to the finished board.
Chitramandali
A group lesson, arranged when there are enough people in the group.
Reverse Thanjavur painting
Learn to paint on glass in reverse order, from the fine outlines to the gold foil and background.
Kerala mural
Learn the Kerala mural tradition, its colours, ornamented figures and bold outlines.
Ganjifa painting
Learn to paint small round Ganjifa pieces in fine detail.
- Beginners
- Very welcome
- Course length
- Until your painting is complete; a Thanjavur painting takes at least 48 days
- Materials
- Gather your own materials, or choose a materials package from me
- Fees
- Depend on your choice: own materials or the materials package
Workshop · November 2025
Thanjavur painting workshop in Brussels
A workshop held at the Embassy of India, Brussels, in association with IWA, introducing participants to the Thanjavur painting technique, with an exhibition of my own paintings.
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Research & Publications
Research and writing
My research brings together Indian classical music, embodied experience and wellbeing, alongside my practice as a vainika, music therapy practitioner and Thanjavur painter.
Research interests
Areas of interest
- Music, cognition and affect
- Embodied, physiological and neurophysiological processes associated with music
- Effects of Carnatic ragas on maternal physiology and fetal development
- Evidence-based, interdisciplinary research
Qualifications
Academic qualifications
- 2026MSc Integrative Therapy (90 ECTS)London Metropolitan University
- 2025Postgraduate Diploma in Music TherapyNADA Center for Music Therapy, India
- 2025Certificate Program in Fundamentals of Music TherapyChennai School of Music Therapy
- 2025An Integrated Course of Music Therapy – Biopsychosocial and Ayurvedic Approach, Level 1Svaraveda Foundation
Research projects
Current research
- Manuscript in preparationAutonomic and Gut–Brain Axis Regulation Using Carnatic Raga Anandabhairavi: A Single-Case StudyExamines the effects of structured listening to raga Anandabhairavi on perceived stress and gastrointestinal symptom severity.
Publications and writing
Completed work and writing
- MSc dissertation, 2026State-Dependent Integrative Therapy for ICD-11 Personality DisorderLondon Metropolitan University. Received an outstanding evaluation.
Research enquiries
Contact me on WhatsApp
Collaboration, lectures and talks
For academic collaboration, invitations to lecture or give a workshop, or other research enquiries, please get in touch.