What does it really take to become a great Carnatic musician?

In this episode of Built by Grit, Deepa Janakiraman speaks with Dr. K. N. Renganatha Sharma about the discipline, Guru-shishya tradition, performance, teaching and career realities behind Carnatic music.

Dr. Renganatha Sharma shares lessons from decades of learning, performing, teaching and research — including why talent alone may not be enough to build a concert career, why young musicians should develop their own voice instead of imitating established artists, and why oral learning from a Guru remains so important.

He also explains why he believes students should have 10–15 years of practical training under a Guru before pursuing formal academic degrees in music, and how he developed an easier way for students to understand the 72 Melakarta scheme.

We also hear a memorable story from his time at the Music Academy — when a Chennai strike caused him to arrive late for a concert, only for that performance to be recognized as the best concert of the season.

In this conversation:
• The Semmangudi lineage and his musical family
• Learning Carnatic music from his father
• Choosing music over physics
• The importance of Guru training
• Why great musicians don't always become great performers
• Talent, relationships and social media
• The danger of imitating other musicians
• Originality vs imitation in Carnatic singing
• Understanding the 72 Melakarta scheme
• Oral tradition vs written notation
• Why composition meaning matters
• Teaching Carnatic music to a new generation
• The discipline required to sustain a life in music

Dr. K. N. Renganatha Sharma brings together the perspectives of performer, teacher, researcher and lifelong student to offer a fascinating look at what it takes to build a life in Carnatic music.

Subscribe to Built by Grit for conversations about music, art, discipline, practice and the people behind creative mastery.

00:00 Why Carnatic music feels like meditation
00:49 Meet Dr. Renganatha Sharma
03:23 The Semmangudi lineage
04:35 Growing up in a family of musicians
06:42 The prediction that changed his career
09:30 Why he almost studied physics
11:39 Choosing music as a profession
14:09 The musical legends who influenced him
17:12 Discovering Pallavi and Layam
18:33 The challenge of teaching Carnatic music
19:06 Making the 72 Melakarta scheme easier
24:35 Why talent alone isn't enough
25:53 Social media and the modern musician
26:21 Lessons from decades of performing
30:28 The Music Academy story
31:16 He arrived 30 minutes late — then won Best Concert
33:26 India vs US music students
35:09 Learning Carnatic music in the YouTube era
36:45 The biggest mistake young musicians make
38:42 Why imitation can ruin your career
39:39 Originality vs imitation — singing demonstration
43:20 What separates serious students from amateurs?
44:25 Why Guru training should come first
46:08 Does Carnatic music really need research?
47:04 Why oral tradition matters
50:29 Understanding the meaning behind a composition
56:19 The discipline of daily practice
57:43 Carnatic music is more than entertainment
58:23 When music itself becomes meditation


Music licensed through Soundstripe.
Code: R3KQNUKGWHXB7AVA, XJZFCYFPMYPF47DK