Master the Melodies of Tradition and Innovation
Step into a place where music is not just taught — it’s lived.
Master in Carnatic Music Objective
This program provides a comprehensive and step-by-step approach to the theoretical language of music, supported by finer nuance to practical performance. Theoretical musical knowledge enhances and supports the student’s practical application to their performance. At the end of this program, students will be well equipped in all aspects of Carnatic Music which will pave way for opportunities such as pursuing a higher education in music or other creative options.
The Master of Arts in Carnatic Music is an advanced program designed for students who aspire to deepen their understanding, expertise, and expressive ability in the rich tradition of South Indian classical music. This program offers a balanced blend of theoretical study and practical performance, enabling students to develop a holistic mastery of the art form.
Through a structured curriculum, students engage with the intricate theoretical frameworks of Carnatic Music, including raga and tala systems, compositional forms, and musicology. Simultaneously, they receive rigorous practical training to refine their vocal or instrumental skills, focusing on both traditional and contemporary styles of performance.
Requirements
Duration: Two-year program (2 semesters in each year)
Required Units: 30 credit units
Required Courses: 10 mandatory Courses – 5 Core & 5 Electives (For Vocal / Veena / Violin)
General Admission Requirements
- A Bachelor’s degree from an approved or accredited institution is required
- Practical music training of at least 6 years
- Ability to sing Compositions of Annamacharya, Tyagaraja, Muttusvami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri
- Ability to do Rᾱga ᾱlapana, Neraval, and Svarakalpana for all the major rᾱgas and rakti rᾱgas
- Basic knowledge of Rᾱgam Tᾱnam Pallavi
Program Overview
- GCM 501 – Musicology-1 (Unit value – 3 credits)
- GCM 505 – Compositions of Tyagaraja (Unit value – 3 credits)
- GCM 506 – Musicology-2 (Unit value – 3 credits)
- GCM 507 – Compositions of Muthuswamy Dikshitar and Syama Sastry (Unit value – 3 credits)
- GCM 510 – Thesis (Unit value – 3 credits)
Vocal Electives:
- GCM 502VC – Ragam-Tanam-Pallavi (Unit value – 3 credits)
- GCM 503VC – Improvisational aspects of Compositions (Manodharma) (Unit value – 3 credits)
- GCM 504VC – Allied ragas and vivadi raga compositions, raga malika, varnams (Unit value – 3 credits)
- GCM 508VC – Concert (Performance) (Unit value – 3 credits)
- GCM 515VC – Voxology (Unit value – 3 credits)
Veena Electives:
- GCM 502VN – Ragam-Tanam-Pallavi (Unit value – 3 credits)
- GCM 503VN – Improvisational aspects of Compositions (Manodharma) (Unit value – 3 credits)
- GCM 508VN – Concert (Performance) (Unit value – 3 credits)
- GCM 601VN – Instrumental Techniques
- GCM 602VN – Tanam, Allied Ragas and Vivadi Ragas
Violin Electives:
- GCM 502VL – Ragam-Tanam-Pallavi (Unit value – 3 credits)
- GCM 503VL – Improvisational aspects of Compositions (Manodharma) (Unit value – 3 credits)
- GCM 508VL – Concert (Performance) (Unit value – 3 credits)
- GCM 601VL – Instrumental Techniques
- GCM 602VL – Violin as Solo and Accompaniment
- GCM 501 – Musicology -1 – CORE (Unit value – 3 credits)
- GCM 515VC – Voxology (Elective for Vocal) (Unit value – 3 credits) / GCM 601VL: Instrumental Techniques (Elective, but 2 versions) / GCM 601VN: Instrumental Techniques (Elective, but 2 versions)
- GCM 505 – Compositions of Tyagaraja – CORE (Unit value – 3 credits)
- GCM 506 – Musicology-2 – CORE (Unit value – 3 credits)
- GCM 507 – Compositions of Muthuswamy Dikshitar and Syama Sastry – CORE (Unit value – 3 credits)
- GCM 503VC/VN/VL – Improvisational aspects of Compositions (Manodharma) – Vocal/Veena/Violin (Elective, but 3 versions) (Unit value – 3 credits)
- GCM 504VC – Allied ragas and vivadi raga compositions, raga malika, varnams (Elective for Vocal) (Unit value – 3 credits) / GCM 602VN: Tanam, Allied Ragas and Vivadi Ragas (Elective for Veena) / GCM 602VL: Violin as Solo and Accompaniment (Elective for Violin)
- GCM 502VC/VN/VL – Ragam-Tanam-Pallavi Vocal/Veena/Violin (Elective, but 3 versions) (Unit value – 3 credits)
- GCM 510 – Thesis – CORE (Unit value – 3 credits)
A Student enrolled in this Program could be evaluated using the following methods/metrics (Assessment could be a combination of a written and/or a practical performance demonstration) depending on the Course :
- Online Participation : Two Discussion submissions during the Semester.
- Assignment : Two submissions during the Semester.
- Midterm Exam : During the mid-Semester Week.
- Final Exam : End of the Semester.
- Final Thesis : Final Thesis submission at the end of the Semester.
- Oral Defense & Practical Presentation : Present & defend the Thesis at the end of the Semester.
Students will be awarded Master of Arts Degree in Carnatic Music, on their successful completion of all the required courses, with an overall combined GPA of 3.0 or higher, based on the evaluation weightage across the various methods/metrics.
Program Overview
Core Courses (Seven):
- GCM 501: Musicology-1 (Unit Value - 3 credit units)
- GCM 502: Ragam- Tanam-Pallavi (Unit Value -3 credit units)
- GCM 503: Improvisational Aspects of Compositions and Devotional Music (Unit Value - 3 credit units)
- GCM 504: Allied Ragas and Vivadi Raga Compositions, Raga Malika, Varnams (Unit Value - 3 Credit Units)
- GCM 505: Compositions of Tyagaraja (Unit Value - 3 Credit Units)
- GCM 506: Musicology-2 (Unit Value - 3 Credit Units)
- GCM 507: Compositions of Muthuswamy Dikshitar and Syama Sastry (Unit Value - 3 Credit Units)
- GCM 508: Concert Performance (Unit Value - 3 Credit Units)
- GCM 510: Thesis (Unit Value - 3 Credit Units)
- GCM 515: Voxology (Unit Value - 3 Credit Units)
Tuition Fees
Estimated Program Costs: $9,900.00 including Tuition ($9,000.00), Application Fee, Books, Registration Fees, etc.
Additional Programs Offered
Faculty of Excellence
R.S. Jayalakshmi, PhD
Chair, Department of Carnatic Music
Seshulatha Kosuru, PhD
Professor, Department of Carnatic Music
Padma Sugavanam, PhD
Professor, Department of Carnatic Music
Shyamala Vinod, PhD
Professor, Department of Carnatic Music
Mala Swamy, PhD
Professor, Department of Carnatic Music
Sriram Parasuram, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Carnatic Music
T.K. Saroja, PhD
Professor, Department of Carnatic Music
Dr. Shobana Swaminathan, Ph.D
Asst. Professor, Dept. of Carnatic Music
Neeta Chandrasekhar, Ph.D
Professor, Dept. of Carnatic Music
Contact Info
Contact us to know about Our Present and Upcoming Programs in Aria.
- Phone : +1 (844) 872 8680
- Email: admissions@aria.edu