Sitar Masterclasses & Indian Classical Music Workshops
I believe music is a journey, not just a set of notes. Whether it is an interactive lecture-demonstration for students or a deep-dive masterclass in the Guru-Shishya tradition, my goal is to make the beauty of Indian classical music accessible and deeply personal.
Teaching is about sharing a tradition that is larger than any one of us. Here I am during a masterclass in Niigata, Japan, guiding a dedicated student through the nuances of the sitar and the Maihar parampara.
I was deeply touched by the devotion of these students in Brazil, many of whom traveled for hours to attend this masterclass. Their hunger to learn our music reaffirms its global appeal and the responsibility we have to share it.
A wonderful memory from a workshop in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Here, I am explaining the structure of a raga to an engaged group of students, surrounded by beautiful Gamelan instruments, showing how different musical cultures can connect.
The wonderful group of students from my masterclass at the university in Guayaquil. It is always a joy to connect with young, curious minds and share the depth and beauty of Indian classical music with them.
It was an honour to be invited as a keynote speaker at the International Performing Arts Conference in New Delhi. Sharing my thoughts on music education and cultural entrepreneurship is a vital part of my mission.
A poster for my performance at KLE Society's School in my hometown of Bengaluru. I am always happy to connect with young students through the wonderful outreach programs organized by SPIC MACAY.
This poster announces a performance at the Management Development Institute in Gurgaon. It is always interesting to present our classical music to students of different disciplines, like management, and show its universal principles.
A poster for a sitar recital at Acharya Narendra Dev College, part of the University of Delhi. These college concerts are a great way to introduce the depth of classical music to young adults.
This poster is for a lecture-demonstration at the Shiv Nadar School. These "lec-dems" are highly interactive, allowing students to ask questions and get a closer look at the sitar and the art of improvisation.
Announcing an upcoming concert at IIIT Delhi. Performing at premier technology and engineering institutes like IIT helps bridge the gap between the arts and sciences, showing how creativity is essential in all fields.
About Workshops & Masterclasses
If you are coming to me for a masterclass, know that this is not about rote learning or reading from a textbook. We focus on the Gayaki Ang style of the Maihar Gharana, which means we work on making your sitar sing like a human voice. For private mentorship, I require you to own a professional-grade instrument so we can focus entirely on technique, repertoire, and the meditative practice of raga development rather than instrument limitations.
My Approach to Teaching
Music is a language, and my teaching is about helping you find your voice within it. I do not just teach notes; I teach the philosophy, history, and spiritual discipline that comes with the Maihar Gharana.
Private Mentorship (Guru-Shishya Parampara) For dedicated students, I offer one-on-one sessions at my residence in Padmini Enclave. This is a traditional setup where you observe my daily riyaz (practice), study handwritten notes, and receive guidance on stagecraft and microphone technique. It is demanding, but it is the most honest way to learn.
Interactive Workshops & Lecture-Demonstrations I love connecting with students in schools and colleges, from my home city of Bengaluru to universities abroad. These sessions are designed to be conversational. We listen, we discuss the structure of a raga, and we explore the history of the sitar.
Why these sessions matter:
- Deep Listening: We focus on training your ear to catch the nuances of tala and raga.
- Technique Correction: In my diagnostic masterclasses, I focus on specific mechanics like meend production and jhala speed.
- Universal Connection: My work with platforms like SPIC MACAY and international universities has shown me that even students from non-musical backgrounds find profound joy in Indian classical traditions when presented with context and stories.
Whether you are an absolute beginner or a professional performer looking for a technique audit, let us sit together and explore the music.
Shubhendra Rao
I have spent my life dedicated to the sitar and the teachings of my Guru, Pandit Ravi Shankar. Music is not just my profession; it is a spiritual practice that I am honoured to share with students, whether they are beginners in school or advanced musicians seeking to deepen their craft.
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