Keerthan School of Music in Melbourne continues to draw a steady stream of students keen to learn Carnatic music, with enrolments spanning children, young adults and older learners. Founded in 2003 by Uthra Vijay, the school has built a reputation for structured training grounded in classical principles while adapting to contemporary expectations.
Uthra Vijay, who serves as Artistic Director, brings a wide performance and teaching background shaped by guidance from her guru S. P. Ramh, linked to the lineage of violin maestro Lalgudi Jayaraman. Her work extends beyond traditional concerts, with collaborations that include performances alongside Priya Srinivasan at events such as the Jaipur Literature Festival and appearances in cities including Hamburg and Berlin.
The school’s teaching model reflects long-standing Carnatic practice, where lineage and authenticity carry weight. Students are introduced to compositions associated with composers such as Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri, with emphasis placed on accurate pronunciation, style and interpretation. Organisers say this focus helps prevent dilution of the form, even as teaching methods evolve.
Lessons follow a staged progression. Beginners focus on foundational exercises such as sarali varisai and alankaram, while intermediate students move into geethams and swarajatis. Advanced learners work through varnams, krithis and improvisational elements. This structure is designed to move students beyond memorisation towards a deeper grasp of musical technique.
Improvisation remains a central part of the training. Students are encouraged to explore raga alapana, neraval and kalpana swaras, which allow for personal expression within the framework of Carnatic music. Teachers at the school place equal attention on understanding raga identity and rhythmic cycles, rather than limiting lessons to note reproduction.
The relationship between teacher and student is treated as a long-term commitment. The traditional guru-shishya approach, with close mentorship and individual feedback, continues to shape how classes are conducted. Voice training, pitch alignment and ornamentation techniques are also integrated into lessons to ensure technical consistency.
Performance opportunities form another part of the programme. Students are encouraged to take part in concerts, competitions and seasonal events such as the Chennai music season and the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival, both of which are seen as benchmarks within the Carnatic circuit. Exposure to stage performance is viewed as a way to build confidence and refine presentation skills.
At the same time, the school incorporates modern tools, including recordings and online sessions, to support accessibility. This approach reflects a broader shift across music education, where digital resources are used alongside traditional teaching without replacing it.
This year’s annual concert introduced a change in format. Instead of arranging performances by experience level, the programme was organised around ragas, including Kalyani, Amrithavarshini, Mohana, Karaharapriya and Behag. The shift offered audiences a different listening experience and gave students a chance to present their work within a thematic structure.
For students, the concert also served as a checkpoint, offering a chance to assess progress and identify areas for improvement. Teachers say such events play a practical role in helping learners maintain discipline and consistency, which remain central to long-term development in Carnatic music.
Keerthan School of Music’s approach reflects a balance between preserving established methods and responding to the needs of a diverse student base. While interest in classical forms can fluctuate, schools like this continue to rely on sustained engagement from both teachers and students to keep the tradition active in cities far from its origins.
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