Ruchira Panda, one of the senior disciples of Pandit Manas Chakraborty blessed with a voice which invites listeners down memory lane into the golden era of Hindustani classical music, is an ardent upholder of the Kotali Gharana. Ruchira, a post-graduate in Economics from Jadavpur University has awarded as Junior Fellow in the field of Hindustani Music for the year 2008 – 2009 by the Department of Culture, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. Ruchira has also received the prestigious Ustad Amir Khan Award as the best vocalist , HMV award as the best young talent of the year 1998-99. Ruchira, to her credit has been performing in all Major Music conferences in India and Abroad.