Being from a middle-class Indian family, I learned Carnatic music.
My basic grammar is in Indian classical music, Carnatic music, and Hindustani music, but I don't believe that that is the only form of music I will learn. I don't believe in that, because I am a very open minded person.
I grew up learning carnatic music but I also enjoyed english music so I always thought I could marry the two words and we tried the idea once and it was a hit.
My roots are Carnatic music. I think everything stems from that.
I owe so much of my musical growth to my exploration and performance of Carnatic music.
Usually people like experimental music which is usually not the case in Carnatic classical concerts.
Across generations, the torch-bearers of Carnatic music have mastered the art form of connection.
I always felt music to be universal and undifferentiated - Western classical, folk, Carnatic or Hindustani and so on.
Most human beings are completely out of touch with their spiritual nature and with the inner dimensions that exist within themselves. They don't realize each person has a soul, an inner core of light and intelligence as vast as the ten thousand worlds, whose inner nature is emptiness, ecstasy and happiness.
I'm happy to be associated with the Times Thyagaraja Awards, which takes Carnatic music to the young generation.
My mother made me listen to Carnatic music saying that only then I will be able to appreciate any good music. But what this has also done for me is that I'm unable to accept modern-day cinema songs.
My idea is to take the improvisational excitement that takes place with Carnatic music and juxtapose that in different sonic contexts.
Only when one is connected to one's own core is one connected to others, I am beginning to discover. And, for me, the core, the inner spring, can best be refound through solitude.
Take your Inner Being everywhere you go. If you take your Inner Being to the party, it's going to be a good party! If you take your Inner Being, the food that you eat will be received perfectly by the cells of your body. Every word that comes out of your mouth will be beneficial to everyone who hears them with their ears - or with their vibration. Don't go anywhere without your Inner Being. That's what "Allowing" is. Always having your Inner Being present. And then, anything else that happens is always orchestrated perfectly by Law of Attraction.
Lyric helps invoke the core person. And, without lyric, it is difficult to touch the core. Lyrical music is the music of India.
The calm mind allows one to connect with the inner self, the Soul, the very source of our being. That's where the music lives. That's where my music comes from.