Aisha Bhansali, violin, Ananya Kulkarni, cello and Aatish Dhawan, piano
In a programme of Piazzolla: Invierno Porteño (Winter), Primavera porteña (Spring), Andree: Piano Trio No. 2 in G minor, Handel and Halvorsen: Passacaglia for violin and cello, Haydn: Piano Trio No. 39 in G major, Rachmaninoff: Egegy Op. 3 No. 1,
Three young students of the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation, passionate about music, started The Nota Bene Trio. The trio has performed with many renowned visiting artists at various venues in Mumbai, to much acclaim. They have been recognised for their ability to communicate with each other, and engage with the audience.
Aisha Bhansali began her musical training at the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation at the age of five. A versatile young musician, she plays the viola, violin, and piano. She has attended prestigious summer programs at Musica Mundi, the Manhattan School of Music, and the Heifetz International Music Institute, and has participated in masterclasses with artists including Midori, Dan Zhu, and Aisha Syed Castro. Aisha has performed in Mumbai, Moscow, New York, Belgium, and Virginia. She is a Diploma winner at The Nutcracker Competition 2021 in Moscow and First Prize winner at the Grand Gala International Music Competition in Malta. As a member of the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation’s Senior String Ensemble, she has performed alongside the Stuttgart Philharmonic Orchestra, the Australian World Orchestra, and the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, serving as Concertmaster in the opening work of a concert celebrating Maestro Zubin Mehta’s 90th birthday.
Ananya Kulkarni began her music journey at age 7 at the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation with the cello. She has also cleared her ABRSM piano, Grade 5. She has learnt under several teachers, exposing her to new ways of musical interpretation. She has actively participated in chamber groups as well as solo performances. Ananya also had the wonderful opportunity of participating in the Musica Mundi Summer Festival in Belgium, in 2025. As a member of the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation’s Senior String Ensemble, she has also performed with several orchestras, such as the Australian World Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, as well as The Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra. Ananya aims to pursue her Bachelor’s in Design and continue her musical journey alongside it.
Aatish Dhawan‘s journey as a pianist began at the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation at the age of 6. Through his years as a student of music, he has also shown great passion for choral music and has developed a deep love of chamber music. Aatish has participated in master classes with artists including Sergio De Simone, Marialena Fernandes, Julien Libeer and Aida Gavrilova. He has also had the opportunity of performing with Aisha Syed Castro. He regularly accompanies the Singing Tree Choir at the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation and has done so at several concerts. Aatish believes that there is no greater joy than making music with other people and expressing emotions that words cannot describe.
