Pandit Tota Ram Sharma 

Born on 16 July 1948 in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, Dada Guru Pandit Tota Ram Sharma ji received his training in the Pakhawaj from Pandit Murlidhar Sharma of the Kudau Singh school. He was further groomed in the art by the noted Pakhawaj-player Pandit Purushottam Das, a master of the Nathdwara tradition. An outstanding performer and teacher of Pakhawaj, Pt. Tota Ram Sharma is a top-grade artist of All India Radio. He has served as Guru at Rajasthan University, Jaipur, and Kathak Kendra, Delhi. He has many recordings to his credit. For his dedicated work in the field of music, he has received several honors including the title of Talmani conferred by the Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai.
Pandit Tota Ram Sharma received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contribution to Hindustani instrumental music.