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Studies & Degrees in Indian Music

Indian music as a university subject covers the classical traditions of the subcontinent, their theory and history, and the practical training of singers and instrumentalists. The two classical systems are Hindustani music, associated with the north, and Carnatic music, associated with the south. Both are built on the raga, a melodic framework, and the tala, a rhythmic cycle. The Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's national academy of music, dance and drama, notes that compositions are fixed but most of the music is improvised within that structure.

The same source describes how the music has generally been passed down orally, with a student spending many years with a teacher (guru). A university course adds to that tradition: students keep practising voice or an instrument, and they also study musicology, the history of the repertoire and research methods. The Department of Indian Music of the University of Madras states its aim as developing creative, analytical and performing skills in voice, in instrumental music and percussion, and in dance.

Qualifications and levels

The University of Madras, the one school SpainExchange lists for this subject, shows the usual range of qualifications in India.

  • Certificate courses. The university offers six-month certificate courses in Carnatic music, Hindustani music, Western music, Harikatha and Bhajan.
  • Bachelor's degrees. A B.A. in Indian Music or a Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) is the direct route to the master's degree.
  • Master's degree. The M.A. in Indian Music follows a course of two academic years. Besides Carnatic music, the department has postgraduate courses in Bharatanatyam (dance) and Rhythmology (percussion), and it lists an M.A. in Folk Music.
  • Research degrees. The department offers the M.Phil and the Ph.D. It states that it has produced about 50 PhD dissertations and 100 M.Phil dissertations, and it publishes Smrti, a peer-reviewed e-journal on fine and performing arts.

Admission to a master's degree normally asks for proof of musical training as well as a degree. At Madras, applicants need a B.A. in Indian Music or a B.Mus., or another bachelor's degree together with a recognised music qualification. For Rhythmology the page asks for a diploma in percussion or five years of training in a percussion instrument, and for Folk Music a bachelor's degree in any discipline with aptitude in Carnatic, light, folk or devotional music.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists one active school for Indian music: the University of Madras, in Chennai, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Its Department of Indian Music was started on 19 May 1932 and belongs to the School of Fine and Performing Arts. The department's own description centres on Carnatic music, the classical tradition of southern India, so it suits students with that interest.

India also has universities devoted to the arts. One example is the Rajkumari Indira Singh Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya in Khairagarh, in the state of Chhattisgarh, established in 1956 for higher education in music, dance, fine arts and theatre.

In India the University Grants Commission (UGC) is the statutory body that coordinates and maintains standards in university education. Ask each school what recognition its qualification has in the country where you plan to use it. International applicants can use the government's Study in India portal: they register for an SII ID, apply to institutes, accept an offer and apply for a student visa. After arrival they must register with the foreigners' registration office (FRRO) within 14 days.

Careers

The Madras department says its alumni work in teaching, research, performance and the media. Performing is the best-known path and the least predictable one. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that musicians and singers typically need no formal postsecondary education to enter the occupation, and it projects little or no change in their employment in the United States from 2025 to 2035. Teaching music in schools is a separate route that, in the United States, typically requires a bachelor's degree and a teaching licence. University teaching and research usually follow from the M.Phil or the Ph.D.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Hindustani and Carnatic music?

They are the two classical systems of Indian music. Hindustani music is associated with northern India and Carnatic music with the south. Both rest on raga and tala, but they differ in repertoire, instruments and style of performance.

How long does a master's degree in Indian music take?

At the University of Madras the M.A. follows a course of two academic years. Other universities set their own length.

Do I need a music degree to enter the M.A.?

Not necessarily. The University of Madras admits holders of a B.A. in Indian Music or a B.Mus., and also holders of another bachelor's degree who have a recognised qualification in music.

Can I take a short course instead of a degree?

Yes. The University of Madras offers six-month certificate courses in Carnatic music, Hindustani music, Western music, Harikatha and Bhajan.