What inspired you to take the path of recreating the
international and electronic music into your own
version of Carnatic music?
I have been training in Carnatic music since a very
young age. I've seen many instances where students
stop studying Carnatic Music because they find the
pure form really boring and it doesn't interest them
so much. Sadly, a lot of my friends avoid going to pure
classical concerts for the same reason. I've always
wanted to prove the fact that 'Carnatic Music is very
cool!'. Hence, I've been presenting popular Carnatic
repertoire in forms that the young audiences of today
can relate to. It is surely one way of including Carnatic
music on a typical millennial's playlist!
Did you think that your music would reach out
to many thousands of people who actually will
appreciate it?
I would have never imagined that my music would
connect would so many people. However, the reach
and numbers don't really matter to me. The most
important thing is the creative satisfaction I get out
of making and experimenting with music, and that's
what keeps me going.
Tell us a little bit about your journey as a musician.
I've always been inclined to music since a young age,
thanks to the support of my parents. My childhood was
filled with Carnatic vocal lessons, keyboard classes,
Trinity College exams and music performances. Apart
from music, the other passion of mine was technology -
I was always experimenting with computers, software,
hardware etc. In order to pursue both my interests, I
pursued a Bachelors in Audio Production from SAE
Institute Dubai and an MSc in Digital Composition and
Performance from the University of Edinburgh.
I've always wanted to play Carnatic music on an
instrument and I was never satisfied with my efforts
on a keyboard/guitar. I discovered a few iPad music
apps (GeoSynth, GeoShred) a few years ago. After
playing with them for a few months, I developed a
technique to play Carnatic gamakas (ornamentations/
bends), and since then, there was no turning back. I
still practice the iPad instruments everyday to find
new techniques and methods to get better at what I do.
If there is one musician/ artist you would like to
collaborate with, who would it be and what would
you do?
There were two people I had always wanted to work
with. One of them is the keyboard wizard Jordan
Rudess (keyboardist of Dream Theater and inventor
of the app that I play). I was really fortunate to have
had the opportunity on collaborating on a piece 'Light
Becomes Day' with him along with Manjunath BC and
Mohini Dey this October. I had played GeoShred and
had produced the music for it. The other musician I
had always wanted to work with and learn from was
the late U Srinivas. I had always looked up to him, and
I still listen to his recordings and try to replicate his
technique on the iPad.
Tell us a bit more about your YouTube music project.
My YouTube music project was created with
the intention of presenting Carnatic music in
contemporary and innovative ways. Most of the videos
feature me playing Carnatic Music on modern musical
instruments such as the iPad and ROLI Seaboard
RISE. As of now, I work with two concepts: One of
them is contemporary/electronic versions of Carnatic
Music pieces and the other is making Indian Classical/
Carnatic versions of popular pop culture themes/
songs. Both these concepts tog