Carnatic Music Masterclasses & Workshops
BALA RAMANAN
I run practical Carnatic music masterclasses and workshops where we focus on hands-on improvisation, stamina building, and finding your own musical voice, with special sessions for Veena players and open formats for all musicians.
Pricing Guide
Thematic Lecture-Demonstration
Curriculum Focus
- Manodharma (Improvisation) theory covering Alapana structuring and Swarakalpana arithmetic.
- Decoding complex Kanakku (Arithmetic) and masking math inside organic melody.
- Practical frameworks for constructing Sangathis variations and handling reduction patterns.
Session Structure
- Format includes lecture, demonstration on Vocals and Veena, and interactive Q&A.
- Oral transmission of concepts including Jathi patterns and Nudai variations.
- Duration is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
Logistics
- Venue is typically an intimate performance space or lecture hall.
- Seating arrangement is usually general admission with floor or chair seating.
Veenopasana Intensive Stamina Workshop
Core Session Details
- Continuous 4 to 4.5 hour session with one break maximum.
- Group practice format with 20 to 25 participants seated on the floor.
- Strictly a practical session for building stamina, not a teaching class.
- Admission requires prior submission of an audio sample to verify playing capability.
Technical Drills
- Gamaka Shuddham exercises for oscillation and note purity.
- Fretboard control drills for high-speed traversal across octaves.
- Plucking technique focus on acoustic clarity without amplification.
- Relentless repetition of single phrases to overcome muscle fatigue.
Facility & Amenities
- Held in acoustically treated indoor art spaces or yoga studios.
- Natural sound environment with no individual mic setup.
- Participants must bring their own acoustic Veena.
- Food and lunch are explicitly excluded from the package.
Private 1-on-1 Advanced Mentorship
Instructional Scope
- Personalized curriculum tailored to specific proficiency gaps.
- Advanced guidance on concert planning, Pallavi construction, or Gamaka correction.
- Honest, critical feedback to identify and fix ingrained habits.
- Teaching of rare Kritis or original compositions.
Delivery Mode
- Session conducted via video call or in-person at the provider's residence.
- Scheduling is dependent on the artist's touring calendar.
About Carnatic Music Masterclasses & Workshops
How I See Music & Teaching
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.
Meet your Expert
Ramana Balachandhran
257 connects in last 3 months
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.