Mahatma Gandhi once said that “bad handwriting is a sign of imperfect education.” Today, few people write in freehand, but Gandhi’s statement still applies to many things in life, particularly music. We can say “bad Shruthi in singing is a sign of imperfect training in music.” I remember my friend …more
For any person exposed to the Carnatic system of music as well as to the Western classical system of music, identifying the similarities and differences becomes a natural path to explore. Having been exposed to Carnatic vocal as well as Western piano and clarinet, I have found myself oftentimes drawn …more
In the South Indian classical tradition, continuing to improve your craft implicates such single-minded dedication that Carnatic musicians seldom venture into other styles of music. This approach certainly works; diving headfirst into several genres means focusing on none of them. Our tradition is vast enough – in its history and …more
There is no doubt that ragam and thalam form the foundation for Indian classical music. However, what is unique about our Carnatic music is the emphasis based on lyrical compositions. Throughout the centuries great poets such as Thyagaraja, Dhikshithar and Shyama Shastri have, largely as a result of divine inspiration …more
What happens when a 1000 year old, highly traditional, highly complex music is transported and replanted 10,000 miles away in a completely different soil and cultural conditions? Can that music survive in the new environment? Can it retain its beauty, grandeur and its pristine purity in a land where the …more
Growing up in North America, one would expect the generation of Indian-American children to take interest solely in Western pop and classical music. However, a group of dedicated youth Carnatic musicians grow up in this continent. Being a student of Carnatic music is one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever …more