Guest Lecture on Carnatic Music - Northeastern

"What do you feel when you listen to this music?" 🎵🤔

I posed this question during a recent guest lecture at College of Arts, Media and Design (CAMD) at Northeastern University, where I introduced students to carnatic music theory and performance practice. 🎻🇮🇳

As I played a recording of a fast-paced tillana (a rhythmic piece typically heard at the end of a performance) in the raga Kathanakuthuhalam (which has a zigzag pattern of musical notes ↗️↘️), the responses were as diverse as they were enlightening:🕺 "It makes me want to dance, get on my feet!"🎉 "I feel joyous!"🌈 "That's almost psychedelic, like Pink Floyd..."

These moments remind me how our distinct musical and lived experiences shape our thoughts and opinions. 🌍🎶 When students attempt to relate to an unfamiliar musical genre, their questions and reactions open windows into their unique perspectives. 🖼️👀 As I consistently emphasize in these lectures: there are no 'wrong answers' when it comes to what music makes you feel. It's a deeply personal experience for each of us. 💖🎭

As educators, our role is to open up these musical experiences, allowing students to explore and connect. 🌱🔍 In doing so, we create a space where the strange becomes familiar, and the familiar takes on new, unexpected dimensions. 🌟✨

Have you ever had a transformative experience with an unfamiliar musical genre? I'd love to hear your stories! 📚🗣️