Dr. Kumar Sargam
Dr Kumar Sargam is currently serving as an Associate Professor at the True School of Music, Vijaybhoomi University. He holds a PhD in Music 2016 and a Master's degree in Hindustani Vocal Music 2011 from Banaras Hindu University. He is a trained Hindustani classical vocalist of the Banaras Gharana under the guidance of Padma Shri Pt Surendra Mohan Mishra Mohan Ji.
He is a recipient of the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Fellowship and has qualified UGC NET in Music. With over 15 years of academic research and performance experience, his areas of specialisation include Hindustani Classical Music, Musicology, Ethnomusicology, Raga Studies, Folk Music and Music Pedagogy.
Research and Publications
-35 plus research publications in UGC CARE peer-reviewed, and Scopus-indexed journals
-7 plus book chapters with national and international publishers, including Singapore-based publications
-1 authored book, Music of Brahmans, 2017
-1 co-authored book, Pranav Sudha, 2015
-1 edited book Indian Music Tradition Innovation and Influence 2025
Conferences, Seminars and Academic Engagement
-Paper presentations in 25-plus international conferences and seminars
-Participation in 15-plus national conferences and seminars
-Contribution to 10 plus workshops in music
-Completed 3 Faculty Development and Orientation Programmes of 30 days under Malaviya Mission UGC HRDC
-Delivered invited talks and served as a speaker in international conferences, including ICIM 2023
Intellectual Property
- 2 copyrights for original musical compositions, Government of India 2025
- 4 patents filed with the Government of India
Teaching Academic Leadership and Curriculum Development
- Former Head of Department, Lovely Professional University, 2023 to 2025
- Served as VC nominee and domain expert for Journalism, Film, Theatre, Music and Fine Arts 2021-2023, Division of Academic Affairs, Lovely Professional University,
- Extensive experience in Outcome-Based Education curriculum design and implementation of NEP 2020
- Member of Research Advisory Committees and Curriculum Framework Committees in various academic institutions and universities
- Expertise in interdisciplinary music education, innovative pedagogy, curriculum design, and music teaching performance integration
- Worked as Assistant Professor at the Central University of Sikkim, Vice Principal, Sacred Heart College of Dance, Ludhiana and Music Mentor in Indian Idol Academic Varanasi, Faridabad, and Greater Noida
PhD Supervision
- PhD scholar awarded
- PhD theses awaiting completion
- ongoing doctoral research supervisions, including co-supervision
Professional Training and Certifications
- 30-day Faculty Orientation Programme, Ramanujan College, University of Delhi 2022
- 30-day Refresher course Ramanujan College, University of Delhi 2023
- 30-day Refresher Course in Performing Arts, Calicut University UGC HRDC 2024
- 5-day Residential UGC Community Development program, Kurukshetra University 2023
- NPTEL courses: Appreciating Hindustani Music and Research Methodology
- Completed 10 international certification courses, including 8 from Berklee College of Music, USA, 1 from the University of Edinburgh, UK and 1 from the California Institute of the Arts, USA
Performance and Industry Engagement
- Performed across 15 plus cities in India, including Varanasi, Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Gangtok, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar
- Former Music Mentor and Judge associated with Indian Idol and regional platforms
- Active as a composer, performer, music educator, and blogger through www.musicbanaras.com
Areas of Expertise
- Hindustani Classical Vocal Khyal, Thumri, Dhrupad and semi-classical forms
- Music theory, aesthetics and history of Indian music
- Ethnomusicology and folk traditions
- Music production and acoustics
- Curriculum design and Outcome-Based Learning
