Retnasree Iyer is an accomplished Hindustani classical tabla exponent from Kerala and the first professional woman tabla artist from South India to achieve major acclaim.

• Early Roots: Born in Vaikom, Kerala, she began learning the tabla at age 13 under Karikode Chellappan Master, later training with Jayakant in Hyderabad.
• Advanced Guidance: She refined her craft under veteran masters including Pandit Arvind Mulgaonkar, Pandit Suresh Mulgaonkar, and Ustad Faiyaz Khan, mastering techniques across multiple gharanas.
• Academic Credentials: Holding an MSc in Chemistry, she transitioned from a lecturing career to pursue music fully, earning a Tabla Visharad with distinction and a Master’s degree in Tabla from Shivaji University, Kolhapur.