Can innovation and technology democratize Carnatic music?

This blog post is inspired by Kannik's article and I would like to add a few more specifics with examples in this post. 
Indie bands/musicians such as Agam and Remember Shakti have already been making innovations in Carnatic music through deliverance in the progressive rock and world fusion styles respectively. In addition to these bands, artists such as Srinivas (late) and Prasanna have disrupted the scene by delivering this art form through non-traditional instruments such as Mandolin and Electric Guitar respectively. While these are some of the famous artists known to bring in some innovation to Carnatic music scene, here are some not-so-popular yet promising artists who have disrupted the Carnatic music scene making it more democratized.
1. Sakthi Ravitharan - I had written about her talent and music in one of my earlier blog posts. However, I would like to remind that again here. What is unique about her music is the deliverance of raga-based compositions in English sung in Operatic style. Invest in Sakthi by buying her work here.
2. Gautam Tejas Ganeshan - What is unique about Gautam's music is his sincere appreciation of the art form combined with his original poetic lyrics in English that can potentially attract the non-Indian audience as well. Not only has he managed to arouse the curiosity in the minds of a non-Indian audience but also has he managed to bring the art form to more non-traditional venues such as streets in busy market places, art galleries, and pizza/bakery outlets. Consider investing in him by making a donation on his website.

Head over to my website for more info, concert dates, etc: http://gautamtejasganeshan.com And if you enjoy these concert films, please visit my website and click the yellow button make a donation! I ask because it's necessary. Consider it an investment in the next one. $5 is a good start. A lot goes into making these, and I do it myself from scratch - write the songs, book the gigs, cobble together the band, invite the listeners, hit record, sing my ass off, sleep it off, review the footage, contemplate my flaws, cut the video, upload for days, and voilà. Live @ Subterranean Arthouse [12.12.15] - Berkeley, CA Gautam Tejas Ganeshan - song Arvind Lakshmikanthan - violin Subiksh Chandrashekar - mridangam Vijay Narayan - tambura, voice Gautam Tejas Ganeshan has performed widely in the SF Bay Area since 2004.

3. Mahesh Raghvan - What is unique about Mahesh's music is his deliverance of Carnatic compositions in electronic music format. The day is not too far when we get to hear Carnatic music in popular DJ parties and dance floors. Here is one of my favorites of Mahesh's (00:49-00:54 is brilliance). Also, invest in Mahesh's talent and buy his album here. 

Carnatic Music 2.0 - Nadaloludai Download the MP3 - https://mahesh-raghvan.bandcamp.com/releases Presenting Carnatic Music with a digital twist. Nadaloludai is a Carnatic music composition by Tyagaraja (1767 - 1847), in the raag Kalyana Vasantham. Here, it has been fused with Dubstep, making it an interesting combination of Eastern Classical and Contemporary Western (Commercial/Popular) music styles.

Personally, I am loving these changes and I hope more millennials, including myself, would be able to contribute more to these innovative models by bringing a positive change to the Carnatic music art form. 
If you know any other artists similar to the ones mentioned above, please share in the comments section. 

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Where does music lie in the Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

The answer depends on person to person and changes from time to time. For example, if you are a person, whose livelihood is predominantly based on music, it's highly likely that the position of music in your life is in the physiological and safety level of Maslow's pyramid. If you are a person, who has a day job but, pursues music as a freelance gig, it's highly likely that the position of music in your life is in the self-esteem level. Whereas, if you are a person, who has saved up 'enough' wealth that you consider making music, not for money but, for pure joy, it's highly likely that the position of music in your life is in the self-actualization level. 
The recent debates on the moral dilemma musicians face regarding performing at the Margazhi Music Season in the midst of Chennai flood relief work is a relevant case of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. As 'rasikas' it would be good to keep this scientific principle in mind, before taking a clear stance on this issue. 
What is the position of music in your life's needs, at this point in time?

NOTE: WATCH IN AT LEAST 360p TO GET A HIGH QUALITY VIEW ! My classmates and I had a project about the Hierarchy of Needs, so what better way is their to get a message to someone or explain an idea to students is their like a video ?

Time of the Day (Breaking Dawn) - Sree Venkatesa Suprabhatham

Here's the first song from the time of the day project representing the theme, breaking dawn. 
Sree Venkatesha Suprabhatam is popular morning invocation song that many of us in South India grew up listening to. Here's a humble tribute in my vocals. 

Song: Sree Venkatesha Suprabhatham Type: Original Theme: Breaking Dawn Project: Time of the Day (Thematic Music Series) Vocals: Soumya Radhakrishnan Song Mastered at: Pranava Studios Video Production: Sou's Voice Related blog post: Sign up to our weekly newsletter: http://bit.ly/subscribetosousvoice

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Introducing 'Time of the Day' project

After the Song of the Season project, the next one on the Thematic Music series is the 'Time of the Day' project. 
Starting next week, I will be posting audios and videos based on the unit of time - day. A day has a rhythm since it has got a sunrise and a sunset with a fixed 24 hours. Living our life one day at a time is a conscious way to be present and appreciate our lives. It's this idea that inspired me to start this project.
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What happens when we cross-pollinate literature & music?

The result is Literary Jukebox (LJ). LJ is an interesting project by Maria Popova of Brain Pickings. Maria takes passages from books and thematically match them with music. Her interestingness and creativity have been proven again through LJ and this is for people like me - music lovers who are also, voracious readers and writers. 

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