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Carnatic Classical Musician Sandeep Narayan Sets New Trends in Music Industry

Published: Thu 2 Nov 2023, 11:31 AM

Renowned Carnatic classical music vocalist Sandeep Narayan has been making waves in the music industry with his unique journey and groundbreaking musical endeavors. Originally hailing from California, Sandeep moved to Chennai after completing his education and training in music. Despite facing initial challenges with his American accent and western sensibility, Sandeep’s talent and dedication to his craft have won over critics and audiences alike. He now has his sights set on the world music arena, firmly rooted in the classical music ethos.

Sandeep’s wife, Radhe, is a Bharatanatyam dancer and the daughter of the world-renowned mystic, Sadhguru. In an interview with City Times, Sandeep shared insights into his migration from the West and his upcoming projects.

Growing up in California, Sandeep’s musical journey started at a very young age. His mother, a Carnatic classical musician, would conduct music classes with him on her lap as a baby. By the age of four, Sandeep started humming geetams, prompting his parents to formally teach him music. Despite growing up exposed to hip hop and pop music, Sandeep also had a strong connection to Carnatic music through his family and community, culminating in a unique blend of influences that he incorporates into his music today.

Sandeep’s versatility extends to multiple languages, as he sings in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Sanskrit, Hindi, English, and Malayalam, showcasing his ability to bridge cultural gaps through his music. He has also collaborated with folk and Hindustani classical musicians, such as Parthiv Gohil and Mahesh Kale, creating fusion performances that highlight the beauty of different regional music styles.

His latest collaboration, an EP titled “Arul,” is set to release on November 9. The EP is a joint effort with Yanchan, a hip-hop producer and mridangam artist based in Toronto. Sandeep and Yanchan aim to showcase the fusion of Carnatic music with other genres, filling the gap in representation of traditional Indian music in mainstream music. The EP serves as a testament to their ability to create fresh and accessible music that appeals to diverse audiences. Sandeep also has several Carnatic-Hindustani collaborations in the works.

When asked about collaborating with his wife Radhe, Sandeep explained that while they have collaborated on small projects in the past, they prefer to work behind the scenes and perform solo on stage. They support each other’s artistic growth and offer constructive criticism, but live performances together have not been pursued yet.

Looking ahead, Sandeep expressed his interest in creating world music. He recently participated in a recording camp in the South of France, working with Lo-Fi and jazz producers to incorporate Carnatic vocals into a compilation of easy-listening tracks. This collaboration explores new territories for Carnatic music, as Lo-Fi music typically does not include vocals. Sandeep’s experimentation with integrating Carnatic vocals into a variety of instruments and genres is a testament to his innovative approach and commitment to pushing boundaries.

Sandeep also shared his interactions with Sadhguru and the influence he has had on his musical journey. Sadhguru has been encouraging and has even attended Sandeep’s concerts. Sandeep fondly remembers singing one of his wife’s favorite songs during an Inner Engineering course and a Subramania Bharti song at his wedding at Sadhguru’s request.

Fans can look forward to exploring Sandeep’s unique blend of Carnatic music with various genres and his upcoming EP release, “Arul.” As Sandeep continues to break barriers and challenge conventions, his music promises to captivate audiences worldwide. Stay tuned for more exciting projects from this extraordinary musician.