Ramana Balachandhran

About

Music, for me, is a never-ending journey. I'm always digging for new ideas and connections, especially in the way kanakku (math in music) and melody play off each other. I don't believe in just drilling formulas; I want to get to that sweet spot where the structure disappears and only the emotion, the raga bhava, shines through. My masterclasses are all about this kind of hands-on discovery.

Workshop Formats

• I run online and in-person sessions, all focused on doing, not just talking.
• "Veenopasana: The Stamina Session" is for intermediate or advanced Veena players who want to push their limits. It's four hours of non-stop sadhana (practice), all about fretting, speed, clarity, and getting those fingers to sing. This one's selective, since it works best with folks at the same level.
• Thematic workshops are open to all Carnatic musicians, whether you sing or play. One session, we might break down how to build a killer Alapana; another, we could get into the guts of a specific kriti (composition) or talk about mixing rhythm and melody.

What We Dive Into

• Carnatic improvisation techniques for making your Alapana and Swarakalpana more interesting.
• Building stamina and control, especially for Veena players chasing that high-level sound.
• We get practical about performance, ornamentation (gamaka shuddham), and feeling the emotional side of each piece.
• Manodharma training in Carnatic music, so you can start finding your own voice.

I see these workshops as shared exploration—no one has all the answers. If you're curious to go deep and stretch your musical muscles, we'll get along just fine.