COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

CHHANDAYAN INC

NEW YORK, NY · EIN 113429169 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE B99 · Education · Small ($100K-$1M) · chhandayan.org
revenue
$453K
expenses
$415K
net assets
$179K
employees
1
volunteers
50
program ratio
77%
mission · from form 990

Chhandayan's mission is to preserve and propagate the rich tradition of Indian classical music and dance.

profile · synthesized from sources

Chhandayan Center for Indian Music is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and propagating Indian classical music and dance. It presents concerts across the United States featuring both established maestros and emerging artists, offers educational programs including lessons, workshops, and lecture-demonstrations, and supports artists through scholarships and rehearsal space. The organization serves diverse audiences and students, with a focus on cultural accessibility and artistic authenticity.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $135K
    Towards the accomplishment of its mission, Chhandayan presents series of concerts in NY, NJ MD, VA and PA. Chhandayan also sends out musicians to perform for other organizations in the USA. In our concerts we feature maestros and emerging talents. Through exposure to indian music and dance, Chhandayan is creating awareness of this art form as a world cultural heritage, which has helped human civiliation to sustain itself over the past five thousand years. These concerts are attended by diverse population of different age groups and coming from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. We also keep special provision for disabled, seniors and low income members of our society. In order to maintain authenticity and high standard of these events, Chhandayan sponsors accomplished musicians from India.Concerts presented 45; Creative performing Artists 150; participating audience more than 10,000Form 990 Part III Line 2 and Part XI no. 9 In 2021 Chhandayan was able to conduct some Charity service to support the family of artist effected by pandemic.Form 990 Part VI Line 11b Form Review ProcessReview reported is issued by Certified Public Accountant. Form 990 Part VI Line 19 Documents are made available upon request.
  2. #2 $10K
    Chhandayan encourages and supports people involved in the pursuit of Indian Music and dance. This is done by giving out scholarships and also through other means, such as offering space for lessons, practie and reahearsals. Chhandayan also helops out affiliated musicians and dancers and their families in moments of need.
named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Artist Support and Scholarships
Provides scholarships, rehearsal space, and emergency support to musicians and dancers, including assistance to artists affected by the pandemic
Concert Series
Presents over 45 concerts annually in NY, NJ, MD, VA, and PA, featuring accomplished musicians from India and emerging talents, promoting Indian classical music as world cultural heritage
Education Program
Offers over 250 lessons, classes, workshops, and lecture-demonstrations in Indian music and dance, serving over 600 students of diverse ages and backgrounds
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Music Education and Training Programs 3 activities
    • Builds capacity in Indian classical arts
      Trains students and young artists who go on to become acclaimed performers and teachers, fostering a generation of musicians from diverse backgrounds who sustain and innovate within Indian classical traditions.
    • Conducts immersive workshops and advanced study programs
      Offers annual immersive workshops in Indian music, such as the Tabla Ashram and vocal intensives, featuring supervised practice and advanced study beyond regular curricula, held in multiple locations including New York City and Edison.
    • Provides music and dance education programs
      Offers ongoing weekly instruction in Indian vocal music, classical instruments (including Tabla, Sitar, Harmonium, Sarangi, and Violin), and classical dance, both in-person and online, serving over 600 students across diverse backgrounds through more than 250 classes, workshops, and seminars annually.
  • Traditional & Cultural Performing Arts 2 activities
    • Organizes and presents Indian classical music and dance concerts
      Presents approximately 45 concerts annually across multiple U.S. states and international locations, including the long-running Chhandayan All-Night Concert, featuring over 150 performing artists and reaching more than 10,000 audience members each year.
    • Organizes cultural festivals and special events
      Hosts cultural events such as a Diwali festival celebration and a three-week musical residency program that culminates in a public performance of newly created works, promoting Indian classical arts and creative collaboration.
  • Student Milestone Ceremonies & Events 1 activity
    • Hosts student recitals and learning celebrations
      Organizes annual student events including a final recital at its Manhattan location and a Students' Day event, both featuring in-person and online components, to showcase student learning and foster community exchange.
  • Musicological Research and Scholarly Editions 1 activity
    • Produces educational publications and multimedia content
      Develops and publishes educational materials, including musical publications and multimedia resources, to support student learning and academic research in Indian classical music.
  • Music Awards and Honors Programs 1 activity
    • Recognizes contributions to Indian music
      Hosts an annual awards ceremony to honor individuals for their contributions to Indian music in North America.
  • Dance Program Access and Scholarship Support 1 activity
    • Supports artists and students through scholarships and aid
      Provides scholarships, access to practice and rehearsal spaces, and emergency support to artists and students pursuing Indian music and dance, including charitable assistance to families affected by crises such as the pandemic.
  • Uncategorized 2 activities
    • Offers the Indian Music Appreciation Course
      Provides a structured four-semester annual course in Indian music appreciation, each semester consisting of ten classes and including a weekly 45-minute lecture followed by a Q&A session, culminating in a certificate for participants.
    • Organizes music competitions
      Organized a music competition in February 2025 featuring multiple categories and skill levels in Indian classical music.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$453K
Contributions & grants$97K21%
Program service revenue$341K75%
Investment income$1K0%
Other revenue$13K
expenses
Total expenses$415K
Program expenses77%
Admin / overhead23%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$22K
Grants paid out$2K
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$189K
Cash$172K
Investments$0
Liabilities$10K
Net assets$179K
Liquid reserves5.0 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +55.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 2
  • DEBU NAYAK — Vice President
  • SAMIR CHATTERJEE — President
relationships · 25

Who they work with

  • Alam Madina Records Partner — Recipient of the Chhandayan Jyotsna Award in the Publication category in 2009.
  • Chhandayan Network — Debu Nayak is Director of the Washington DC Chapter of Chhandayan, Inc.
  • Daniel Neuman Partner — Recipient of the Chhandayan Jyotsna Award in the Academia category in 2005.
  • Daniel Weiss Partner — Faculty member involved in organizing student performance events
  • Ed Feldman Partner — Student of Chhandayan studying Tabla online, also associated with Edward Feldman in Austria, suggesting international continuity of instruction.
  • India Archive Music Partner — Recipient of the Chhandayan Jyotsna Award in the Publication category in 2005.
  • Jorge Remiro Partner — Student of Chhandayan studying Tabla in both Hong Kong and online, indicating multi-format engagement.
  • Kartik Banerjee Partner — Student of Chhandayan studying Tabla in both New York and India locations, indicating cross-regional engagement.
  • Karunashraya Hospice Trust Partner — Collaborated on charitable dance productions to raise funds for palliative care services.
  • Moments Records Partner — Recipient of the Chhandayan Jyotsna Award in the Publication category in 2008.
  • NYSCA Government — Grant funder supporting the musical residency program.
  • New York State Council on the Arts Government — Provides support for Chhandayan's programs through funding.
  • Not specified Partner — Collaborates with classical artists from European Classical Music, American Jazz, Flamenco, and global percussion traditions, though specific organizations are not named.
  • Professor Samir Chatterjee Partner — Teaches the Indian Music Appreciation Course and serves as President of Chhandayan
  • Raga Records Partner — Recipient of the Chhandayan Jyotsna Award in the Publication category in 2006.
  • Rajyasree Ghosh Partner — Collaborates with Rajyasree Ghosh to lead vocal workshops in Indian music.
  • Samarth Nagarkar Partner — Faculty member involved in organizing student performance events
  • Samir Chatterjee Partner — Collaborates with Samir Chatterjee to lead Tabla Ashram workshops.
  • Samir Chatterjee Partner — Faculty member involved in organizing student performance events
  • Sandeep Arvikar Partner — Student of Chhandayan studying Tabla in both Canada and online, indicating multi-format engagement.
  • Sanjoy Banerjee Partner — Collaborates with Sanjoy Banerjee to conduct vocal and rhythm workshops in Indian music.
  • Tarit Majumdar Partner — Student of Chhandayan studying Tabla in both New York and India locations, indicating cross-regional engagement.
  • Tejas Tope Partner — Recipient of the Chhandayan Jyotsna Award in the Sishya (Disciple) category in 2011.
  • World Music Institute Partner — Recipient of the Chhandayan Jyotsna Award in the Presentation category in 2007.
  • accomplished musicians from India Partner — Sponsors musicians from India to participate in concerts and educational programs.
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Guru-Shishya with Inclusive Pedagogy
    methodology: inclusive-guru-shishya
    By adapting the traditional guru-shishya (master-to-disciple) method to welcome ethnically diverse and non-Indian students, we produce broader cultural transmission and long-term stewardship of Indian classical music, because inclusivity expands the ecosystem of practitioners while preserving artistic depth.
  • Peer and Public Learning Ecosystem
    methodology: peer-learning through performance
    By integrating public seminars, student recitals, and competitive events, we deepen understanding and reinforce learning, because peer interaction, public performance, and recognition create feedback loops that sustain engagement and artistic growth.
  • Transformation Through Immersive Learning
    methodology: transformational_immersion
    By using extended-duration, intensive workshops (Ashrams) and artist residencies that immerse participants in music and creative arts, we produce deep personal and artistic transformation, because sustained, holistic engagement shifts learning from intellectual effort to pure consciousness and internalization of artistry.