Demystifying South Indian Classical Music

Performers: Supriya Nagarajan, Sumie Kent and Ranjan Vasudevan

As one of the UK’s most sought-after Carnatic vocalists and Artistic Director of Manasamitra, Supriya Nagarajan blends her traditional training with contemporary sensibilities.

At this richly interactive workshop/concert, Supriya - alongside an eclectic ensemble of instrumental artists – invites you to engage deeply with South Indian classical (Carnatic) music, its aesthetics, structure and cultural logic. You’ll be guided through the fundamentals of raga, tala and vocal ornamentation, learning how melodic and rhythmic systems shape emotional expression, and how listening deeply can broaden appreciation of sound across cultures.

The session, which is both educational and immersive, will interweave performance with reflection and participation: Supriya will demonstrate key elements of Carnatic vocal technique and contextualise them within broader listening practices, while inviting audience members to experience aspects of the music directly. By performing live excerpts, illustrating how ragas are connected to time, mood and cultural storytelling, and sharing insights into the music’s temple roots and spiritual resonance, the workshop will become an embodied inquiry into listening itself.

Join us and gain not only a conceptual understanding of South Indian classical music, but also an embodied experience of its sonic richness, spiritual depth and capacity to connect diverse cultural worlds through listening, sound and shared curiosity.

Our event will conclude with a Q&A.

Annual Bruce Wannell Memorial Lecture

Image credit: Pablo Khaled

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Host or Publisher York Festival of Ideas