--- title: "Carnatic Music Education by Ramana Balachandhran – Veena Workshops & More - mytribe" description: "Experience Carnatic Music Education with Ramana Balachandhran. Join veena workshops, attend Carnatic concerts, or book music composition sessions. Discover a multi-instrumentalist’s unique approach to learning and performing." canonical: https://mytribe.in/ramana_balachandhran last_updated: 2024-05-15 --- # Ramana Balachandhran I explore Carnatic music on the veena through performance and advanced workshops. My approach is to demystify its intricate arithmetic (kanakku), blending it seamlessly with melody and finding practical ways to master complex ideas. ## Services ### [Carnatic Music Concerts & Performances](https://mytribe.in/ramana_balachandhran/carnatic-music-concerts-performances) Travels across India for performances Typically ₹30K-1L per concert (estimate) - [Video: This is the essence of my music. I sing along with the veena to bring the sahitya, the lyrics, to life, making the melody more accessible and emotionally resonant for everyone.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/baba270b-03ec-4905-a584-f757dd632595) - [Video: A moment from a moonlight concert at Nisarga Art Hub. Sometimes, the music, the atmosphere, and the audience connect in a way that feels truly cosmic and takes us to another plane.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/059d2bdc-a224-4049-aad4-165df757435d) - [Video: A teaser from my performance at the Darbar Festival in London. It was an incredible experience to play on such a beautifully arranged stage for a wonderfully receptive audience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4fbf8ad8-d4ea-4f05-ad0f-a47e5ab39397) - [Video: I believe the complex math or 'kanakku' in Carnatic music should be felt, not just heard. Here, I explore how to use arithmetic as a hidden paintbrush to color the raga Sahana, making the structure feel organic.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dc71558f-3238-4ed5-b97e-ca075eb14724) - [Video: Pushing the boundaries of what the Saraswati Veena can do is a constant pursuit. This is an experiment in playing Ati Drut, or very high speeds, which presents unique challenges on this instrument.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/aac449f8-89f2-4b7d-8fb4-dfd5d07ae3b4) - ![A quiet moment of connection between my hands and the veena. This black and white shot captures the intricate relationship and the years of sadhana that go into producing every single note.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6e7ce939-6dea-4831-bedf-c83c3b0a866b) - [Video: Honesty is a big part of my musical journey. I couldn't perfect a particular rhythmic pattern in a concert, so I came home and practiced it. This is me sharing that process of 'redemption' and constant learning.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2a508f12-3cbe-4a21-b5dd-8c41e7b0495d) - [Video: Music is a universal language. Here is a spontaneous jam session with the brilliant guitarist Elden Kelly and the iconic mridangist Patri Satish Kumar sir, exploring where Bach and Carnatic music can meet.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/59a5ab32-617d-4ddf-87d5-e9b5f2a6a28d) ### [Carnatic Music Masterclasses & Workshops](https://mytribe.in/ramana_balachandhran/carnatic-music-masterclasses-workshops) Online sessions & workshops across India Typically ₹1,200-3,500 per participant per workshop (4 hours) (estimate) - [Video: Here is an exploration into how we can use the framework of arithmetic not as a rigid constraint, but as a creative brush to paint the raga Sahana. The goal is to let the `raga bhava`, the pure emotion, take the lead, so the `kanakku` is felt but not forced.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dc71558f-3238-4ed5-b97e-ca075eb14724) - [Video: A glimpse from my Veenopasana stamina session in Chennai. In these intensive workshops, we focus on building control and clarity through hours of dedicated `sadhana`, pushing our instrumental virtuosity together.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/31488729-25d1-4874-a93a-c4b4b41dfd7a) - ![My workshops are designed for any curious Carnatic musician, vocal or instrumental. This poster was for a session on finding richness in Alapanas and Swarams, a core part of my `manodharma` training.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/049d0d4c-ae7e-4b1e-95a7-6bbf42262ada) - [Video: A short demonstration of a rhythmic challenge on the veena, combining slow and fast Trishram patterns within a Naatakurunji varnam. This is the kind of intricate `kanakku` exploration we dive into in my masterclasses.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/02693cab-8e10-43af-ab32-9d7b5f3fcee3) - [Video: An excerpt from a workshop I conducted at Stanford University. We discussed methods for generating aesthetic ideas in Swarakalpana by melding melodic nuances with the structure of `layam`, or rhythm.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e8e22977-1706-4ef8-b4cd-8d97014e302e) - ![I was grateful to be featured in this article by Scroll.in, which discusses my approach to music and the veena. It captures my goal of making the instrument sing with the quality of the human voice.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4b76f145-0720-44d6-94c5-aae13a08bd92) - [Video: A look inside a Kriti workshop where we broke down the `sangathis` of a Thyagaraja composition. My teaching focuses on this kind of detailed, practical exploration to understand the composer's intent and add our own expression.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bd13f2a6-0ae1-446b-901a-9564c6368b1f) - ![A visual representation of my musical identity. While the veena is my primary voice, I also explore rhythm through the mridangam, constantly seeking the connections between melody and percussion.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/aa8e65a8-83d7-4492-8a76-d4da564b4b82) ## Meet your expert ### My story Namaste, I’m Ramana. Veena is my main thing, but honestly, music is music - I end up playing mridangam, sitar, singing, whatever. Sometimes my brain goes off on weird tangents, like imagining chess as ragas on the veena! My thatha, simple man, strict but sweet - I used to prank him with Kurkure, and he’d grumble, ‘Chi yennada idhu masala va potrukaan!’ (What’s this masala!) but still eat it. I find inspiration everywhere - monkeys meditating, old masters, even random moments. Always searching for that stillness. ### My work - **Veena Performances & Collaborations**: I play solo, team up with others, and bring in my multi-instrumentalist Carnatic artist side. - **Advanced Veena Workshops**: My veenopasana workshops are intense 4-hour sadhana for those ready to dive deep. Think gamaka shuddham training, fretboard control, stamina. - **Teaching Style**: I find shortcuts, mnemonics, practical tricks. Whatever helps you learn, I’ll try it. - **Concerts & Pallavi Exploration**: Every concert is a test and a game. I love complex Pallavi exploration, even if I mess up sometimes. - **My Musical Philosophy**: Kanakku and bhava? Not enemies. I try to blend math and melody so it just feels natural.