Brhaddhvani

Brhaddhvani's training programmes offer a unique blend of traditional and modern approaches. By adopting a democratic learning system, it allows students to progress at their own pace. This flexible structure encourages a strong foundation in music, fostering the ability to grasp the intricacies of Karnatak music. Through holistic listening, students absorb the essence of the music. Brhaddhvani supports both online and in-person classes, making education accessible to all. Its curriculum extends to vocal and vina training, welcoming students from diverse musical backgrounds and promoting interdisciplinary exploration. Minimum requirements include a practical understanding of the fundamental principles in the student's primary art discipline.

Brhaddhvani's online music education programme is distinguished by its innovative approach. It harnesses the collective efforts of researchers, educators, and musicians to create a dynamic learning environment. Technology plays a pivotal role, in expanding the reach of music education globally. Notable achievements include the 'Tala Keeper' app and the online platform 'Patantara.' These tools overcome challenges in music education, making it accessible to a wide audience. Blending technology with traditional teaching methods ensures a comprehensive and enriched learning experience, bridging the gap between classical music and the digital age.

Brhaddhvani's music education is enriched by the state-of-the-art online platform, Patantara, created by Dr. Srikumar K. Subramanian. Patantara fosters a united Karnatak music community, promoting self-learning, notation writing, and knowledge sharing. It simplifies the complex task of understanding vina tuning, making it accessible to learners. This platform caters to distant learners, allowing them to progress at their own pace. Patantara addresses the challenge of teaching sound, rhythm, and synchronized performance consistently, providing valuable tools for both teachers and students. It's child-friendly and aids in language learning, making it a valuable resource for young learners. Patantara bridges the gap between gurukula and modern learning methods, ensuring students practice effectively and self-learn. It supports comparative analysis, research studies, and style understanding, ultimately enhancing the learning experience in Karnatak music.

Brhaddhvani acknowledges the often-overlooked craftsmen behind musical instruments, vital to instrumental music's existence. It focuses on the Vina family, facing challenges due to bulkiness and limited patronage. While some musicians and patrons support them, they lack proper recognition and education, leading to a decline in their numbers. For over three decades, Brhaddhvani has honoured craftsmen like Palaniappa Achari, known for lute-making. Under Dr. Karaikudi S. Subramanian's guidance, it collaborates with Nataraja Achaari to preserve this craft. A dedicated workspace in Chennai supports Vina craftsmanship, ensuring this tradition endures.

With support from the India Foundation for the Arts, Brhaddhvani collaborated with Dharani, a school of performing arts in Kochi, to document Sopanam, Kerala's traditional temple music. Predating Carnatic music, this unique tradition was nearly extinct. Sopanam is now limited to certain temples and accompanies the Kathakali dance. The project aimed to identify, document, and notate Sopanam's ragas and talas to make them more accessible to musicians and dancers. It created audio, video recordings, and detailed notations using Dr. KSS's "svarasthana notation." This comprehensive effort resulted in the preservation of Sopanam, with numerous recordings, slides, photographs, and tapes showcasing this cultural treasure.