The best music schools in India you need to know about

Music is the heart and soul of humanity. Whether we're cooking, cleaning, travelling, or working out, every single activity seems to be a lot more fun with music. Put simply, music is the rhythm in the cacophony of life, and even as I write this, I too find myself swaying to my everyday shuffle.

Learning music has always been a privilege, and no it is not a far-fetched dream. Today, our country is home to some of the world's best music academies that have nurtured India's cherished singers. And if you've ever dreamt of building your career in music or simply engaging in the art, then here are the top music schools to know about. 

The Calcutta School of Music

In the realm of music academies, The Calcutta School of Music, founded in 1915, is the country's pride and joy. Inaugurated by the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar, this music school is renowned as a haven for mastering the intricacies of Indian classical music. Vocalists at this academy are trained in everything from ragas and ghazal, to thumri and kheyal. You can also learn to play Indian and Western instruments and receive training in chamber music and solo music. Apart from training, The Calcutta School of Music also hosts regular orchestras and concerts.

KM Music Conservatory

The KM Music Conservatory in Chennai is an incredible institute for musical training. Founded by the music maestro A R Rahman, the conservatory is home to commercial recording studios including the Sunshine Orchestra, an initiative that provides musical education and opportunities to underprivileged children in India. The conservatory has an exceptionally experienced faculty, which includes the music maestro himself to mentor students at the university. 

Madras Music Academy

Founded in 1928, the Madras Music Academy (MMA) is among the top-tier music schools in the country. Being one of India's oldest academic establishments, MMA hones a legacy in Indian classical and Carnatic music. It is especially lauded for encouraging and fostering Carnatic music as an Indian art form in today's time.

Rabindra Bharati University

The Rabindra Bharati University was founded on May 8, 1962, the birth centenary of poet Rabindranath Tagore. Dedicated to honouring the memory of one of India's most esteemed poets, this university is not just a music school; it also specialises in numerous other facets of learning. However, the performing arts, especially music, remain to be the school's most renowned. Focusing on its mission to promote Indian classical and folk music, the university is undeniably one of India's most sought-after music schools. 

Shankar Mahadevan Academy 

Co-founded by one of India's best singers, Shankar Mahadevan alongside Sridhar Ranganathan, founder and CEO of Cloodon, this music school is truly one-of-a-kind. It is the only music school in the country that allows students to opt for teacher-led courses, self-study, or academy centre courses. The academy incorporates virtual classrooms and master classes with real-time audio inputs from students, taking musical assessment and learning to a new and more holistic level. After all, what's better than learning music from one of the godsent voices of India?

Delhi School of Music

Founded in 1961, the Delhi School of Music specialises in Western music, although it offers a mix of Western classical, Indian classical, and modern genres. This music academy is also popular among the masses for being one of the few not-for-profit schools that engage with over 1,400 students, teaching them the nuances of singing, composing, producing, and reading music, along with playing different instruments. One of the school's most renowned alumni is Gavin Martin, who has even performed with the New York Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta, a conductor of Western classical music.

Lead image credit: Pexels

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