Carnatic Music Workshops

Aligned with Leela Foundation’s mission to educate, enthrall, and enliven the community through the arts, Leela Foundation is thrilled to offer an immersive learning opportunity for Carnatic music students and teachers, led by three distinguished visiting artists from India. Held in April 2026, these immersive sessions offer students and teachers a unique opportunity to train in Carnatic vocal, veena and mridangam respectively.

April 18, 20 & 21, 2026

Time and Venue - TBD

Workshop Registration

About the instructors

Smt. Jayashree Aravind stands among the foremost exponents of the Veena today. With a distinguished musical career spanning over five decades, she has carved a unique niche for herself as both an acclaimed performer and a deeply respected teacher.

A disciple of the legendary Veena maestro, Padma Bhushan and Sangeetha Kalanidhi Shri K. S. Narayanaswamy, Jayashree Aravind’s artistry reflects the highest traditions of the Carnatic classical lineage. She has also trained with eminent musicians including Smt. T. Brinda and Palghat Shri K. V. Narayanaswamy, enriching her musical depth and stylistic nuance.

Anugrah Lakshmanan is a dynamic and multi-talented Carnatic musician celebrated for his dedication to the classical arts. He received his foundational education and rigorous musical training at Isha Samskriti, an alternative education system envisioned by Sadhguru, where classical arts form an integral part of holistic learning.

He currently continues advanced training under Smt. Jayashree Aravind in both vocal and Veena music. Anugrah is also training with other eminent stalwarts including Sri Malladi Suri Babu and Sri TM Krishna. Anugrah is also the founder of Minna Minni, a unique platform designed to reimagine Carnatic music through fresh and contemporary perspectives. 

Ashwin Subramaniyan is a percussionist and alumnus of Isha Samskriti, an alternative education system envisioned by Sadhguru. Displaying a natural affinity for rhythm from a young age, he began his training in Mridangam and Konnakkol under Sri Trivandrum R. V. Prasad in 2011. He now continues his advanced training in Chennai under Sri Thrissur C. Narendran. In addition to Mridangam, Ashwin is trained in the art of Nattuvangam, bringing a well-rounded rhythmic sensibility to his performances. Ashwin teaches the fundamentals and advanced aspects of Mridangam and Konnakkol and performs extensively as an accompanying artist for both Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music concerts.

Workshop Overview

Carnatic Vocal Intermediate

Taught by:  Anugrah Lakshmanan

Workshop Outcomes: 

• Technique building for improving vocal delivery and rhythm

• 3-4 Compositions from this suggested listing:

• Bhadrashila Raja – Kuntalavarali – Bhadrachala Ramadas

  • Bhalira Vairagya – Kalavathi – Bhadrachala Ramadas

  • Mantiramavadhu Neeru (Thevaram) – Chenchurutti – Jnana Sambandar

  • Sri Gananatham Bhajare – Ishamanohari – Muthuswami Dikshitar

  • Kamalasana Vandita – Nottuswaram – Muthuswami Dikshitar

    
    

Suggested Pre-requisite: The participant has learnt a minimum of 3 aadi taala varnams.

The instruction will be 3 sessions of 75 minutes each.

Veena Intermediate

Taught by:  Smt. Jayashree Aravind

Workshop Outcomes: 

• Intensive and effective practice techniques to vastly improve veena playing

• Nottuswaras and kritis from the following selection:

• Kamalāsana Vandita – Shankarabharanam (Nottuswaram) – Muthuswami Dikshitar

  • Girirajasutha Thanaya – Bangala – Thyagaraja

  • Shree Gananatham Bhajare – Ishamanohari – Muthuswami Dikshitar

  • Raghunayaka – Hamsadhwani – Thyagaraja

Suggested Pre-requisite: The participant has learned jathiswarams and above

The instruction will be 3 sessions of 60 minutes each.

Veena Advanced

Taught by:  Smt. Jayashree Aravind

Workshop Outcomes: 

• Intensive and effective practice techniques to vastly improve veena playing

• Aspects of bani (tradition, style and technique of a particular guru/school of learning)

• Select Kritis from the following options:

• Paripalayamam – Reethigaulai – Swati Tirunal

  • Janani Mamav – Bhairavi – Swati Tirunal

  • Pagavari – Hamsadhwani – Patnam Subramania Iyer

  • Select Swathi Thirunal padams, javalis.

Suggested Pre-requisite: The participant has learned 5 varnams and above

Bonus: Veena Advanced students are strongly encouraged to also attend the intermediate workshop to learn intensive techniques at no additional cost.

The instruction will be 3 sessions of 60 minutes each.

Mridangam Intensive

Taught by:  Ashwin Subramaniyan

Workshop Outcomes: 

• Tala clarity: Develop a strong understanding of rhythmic cycles and maintain accurate timing

• Laya development: Improve tempo control, speed variation, and rhythmic flow

• Accompaniment skills: Support dance and music with precise, responsive rhythmic patterns

• Sollu Kattu / Jathi / Konnakol: Structure and perform rhythmic syllables with clarity and precision

  
  

All levels are welcome.

The instruction will be 3 sessions of 75 minutes each.

Sollu kattu- Language of Rhythm

Taught by:  Ashwin Subramaniyan

Workshop Outcomes: 

• Clarity of syllables: Articulate sollu kattu with correct pronunciation and precision

• Structuring patterns: Understand how syllables form jathis and rhythmic sequences

• Performance skills: Recite and apply sollu kattu confidently in rhythm and coordination

Open to dance, music and percussion students of all levels

The instruction will be one session of 75 minute session.