Carnatic music is one of world’s oldest and richest musical traditions, originating in the fertile plains of the Cauvery delta and flourishing through the ages. It primarily comprises a monophonic song based on improvised variations. The Melody infused ragas called ‘Alapana’  are introduced and developed gradually, with the embellishment much faster and shorter.  It begins with ‘Varnam’ a warm up of sort for the musicians, followed by exchange of ragas and thalas, intermixed with krithis and pallavi. Emphasis is more on the voice than on instrument as it is said to have the ability to bring out the graduation of the composition. The confluence of the Ragas and the Thalas have from early times been providing us with melodious patterns which when rendered with bhava (feeling) is an experience that has to be had to be believed.

The Trinities of Carnatic Music, Saint Thyagaraja, Muthuswamy Dikshithar and Syama Shastri composed songs that have explored & exhibited the depth and the rich feeling in this form.  The other notable composers are Patnam Subramaniya Iyer, Papanasam Sivan, Raja Swathi Thirunal, Annamacharyar, Purandaradasar. There are various stages of learning Carnatic music, starting from the Swaravali (Sarali Varisai) which train and tune the voice and the mind. Purandaradasa developed a system of teaching Carnatic music, starting with Sarali Varisai in Mayamalavagowlai ragam and gradually built up till Gitam. This pattern is being followed even today. Purandaradasa was the trendsetter in developing a teaching methodology for Carnatic music and is hailed as the “Father of Carnatic music”.

​A systematic learning of Carnatic music under a competent teacher enables one to sing in a disciplined manner with adherence to the laid down rules with an understanding of the concept of Carnatic music.