Carnatic, or South Indian classical music, is special because it is dominated by improvisation. I have been learning Carnatic vocal music for over 13 years, and it never fails to amaze me how much there is to learn in this art form. Each ragam, or musical scale, has its own notes, but more importantly, it has its own character and emotion. Listening to one of the great artists, Madurai Mani Iyer, render the ragam Kamboji leads the listener to feel joy and excitement. On the other, the ragam Thodi has a much darker, somber character that evokes a contemplative mood. As an aspiring Carnatic music artist, I have so much left to learn. For example: How do I improvise in a ragam in a way that exposes my own creativity while adhering strictly to the ragam's structure? Which ragams are appropriate for which occasions? Finally, what separates good music from great music, and how do I improve my own music?
Shreyas Ashok, North Carolina
Student
Shreyas Ashok, North Carolina
Student