NCPA Citi Online Workshop

Role of Violin in Carnatic and Crossover Music

A Free Online Workshop by Dr. Ambi Subramaniam

An NCPA Presentation

Supported by Citi

Violin, an instrument of European origin, was introduced into Indian classical (art) music around 1800. Today, the instrument is widely used as a solo instrument in both, north Indian (Hindustani) and south Indian (Carnatic) traditions, and also features prominently in crossover genres.

Ambi Subramaniam has had the privilege of training with his eminent father, Dr. L. Subramaniam. Having given his first violin performance at the age of seven, he went on to perform across the world and was named among GQ’s 25 ‘Most Influential Young Indians’ in 2021. In addition to having an MBA degree in finance, he has done his PhD in ‘Developing a global violin technique’. He has also co-authored over 30 textbooks, including India’s first series of textbooks dedicated to teaching the Carnatic violin.

Designed for performers, students and serious listeners alike, the workshop will examine the role of violin in Carnatic music with a focus on posture, tuning, tonal production and its unique ability to reproduce gamaka-laden phrases with precision and emotional depth.

Additionally, the session will highlight violin techniques from around the world that have influenced the Indian violin playing style, including the bow articulation, tone projection and ensemble sensibilities drawn from Western classical and folk traditions. Live demonstrations will elucidate how Indian concepts of continuous slides, microtonal inflections, rhythmic phrasing and improvisational thinking can inspire violinists working in Western classical, jazz and experimental genres. The workshop, thus, highlights the role of violin as a truly universal instrument—one that bridges cultures, traditions and musical languages.

Entry Free.
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