How Carnatic Music Keeps Cinema Music Alive

by M.K.Sudarshan August 10, 2026: Chennai, India In a sentence:This piece offers a counterpoint to the argument that “cinema kept Carnatic music alive” by showing how Carnatic music—through its raga grammar, tala sophistication, and kriti structure (Pallavi–Anupallavi–Charanam)—has kept Indian film music musically alive, emotionally rich, and culturally grounded. In three points:Film melodies and background scoresContinue reading “How Carnatic Music Keeps Cinema Music Alive”

What notable contribution to Carnatic Music has A.R. Rahman made that made Madras Music Academy invite him to preside over its prestigious 2025 Music Festival?

A.R.Rahman is without doubt a great popular musician. But he is NOT a classical musician. The MMA is an institution whose main mission is to preserve and promote classical Carnatic music . A.R. Rahman’s skill or depth in Carnatic music has no third-party independent endorsement. No doubt he has notably incorporated many elements of CarnaticContinue reading “What notable contribution to Carnatic Music has A.R. Rahman made that made Madras Music Academy invite him to preside over its prestigious 2025 Music Festival?”

At the Madras Music Academy yesterday, A.R.Rahman’s sickening hypocrisy.

He was careful not to displease either the “traditionalist” reactionaries of Mylapore or the eminent revolutionaries of the Carnatic Music world who were seated beside him on stage. So in one breath A R Rahman spoke from both sides of his mouth … and with the forked tongue within. If you read his quoted wordsContinue reading “At the Madras Music Academy yesterday, A.R.Rahman’s sickening hypocrisy.”